Aberdeen Weekly News Thursday, Feb. 14, 1918
ROBERT DANIELS DIES
Young Railroad Man Succumbs to Nervous Disorder After Long Illness
Many residents of Aberdeen and of Brown county heard with regret the news that Robert Daniels, the brilliant young railroad man who has made such a brave fight to regain his health after a long illness from nervous disorders, passed to his reward.
For a number of weeks last fall he was confined to a local hospital of Aberdeen, where his case attracted attention owing to his fine appearance and once bright intellect. Later, he was removed to the home of his wife’s parents near Stratford.
Of his demise the Wilmot Enterprise gives the following: “A message has been received here from Stratford, this state, announcing the sad news of the demise of Robert Daniels at the home of his wife’s parents, who reside on a farm near Stratford, located about thirteen miles south from Aberdeen.
“Robert John Daniels was born on May 17, 1884, at Hayward, Wis. His parents a few years later moved to Wilmot, where his father was for years the station agent. His mother died here when Robert was yet a little child and he grew to young manhood in our community under the tender care of his two sisters. His father died about five years ago.
“Robert was a model young man, bright, genial, affable and courteous. At the age of about 18 he enlisted in the signal corps of the United States Army, being stationed at or near Tampa, Fla. Being under age, his father later effected his release from the service and on his return he entered the service of the C. M. & St. P. railroad, where his ability and aptitude rose rapidly until at last he was fright and passenger agent on the west coast line of the road. He was located at Butte, Mont., and at Tacoma and Seattle, Wash.
“The strenuous life of his position, though, seemed to overtax his somewhat frail constitution, he held out too long until he finally broke down with a nervous disorder from which he never fully recovered. About two years ago he had to retire entirely from active life and has lingered along until he passed over to the Great Beyond, from which no traveler returns.
“He leaves behind his wife and two children, a boy about 10 years old and a girl about 5, besides his two sisters, Mrs. Lottie Howell and Miss Lola Daniels.
“The funeral was held at Stratford.”
~Transcribed by volunteer researcher, Kathy Smith