grave import

Obituary

A stroke of paralysis brought on by over-exertion and terrific heat of the Burlington Basket company fire last Monday caused the death of LF Blank, pensioned fire chief, at 10:48 pm last night at St. Frances Hospital.
Not content to watch the blaze from the sidelines, the gray-haired man who had served the city in its fire department since 1887, pitched in with fire crews on the job and gave every assistance he could when the men were becoming exhausted in their losing battle with the flames.
Only the day before, Mr. Blank had been ill and the attending physician expressed the opinion that his efforts at the fire and drinking of ice water while in an over-heated condition, had resulted in the stroke Friday night which caused his death. He was taken to the hospital yesterday morning with his left side paralyzed.
Mr. Blank was one of the best-known men in the city. For 27 years he was chief of the fire department and among the men, he commanded the highest of respect. His decisions were respected and his methods in fighting fires were never disputed. It was the same characteristic, courage & persistency which sent him pushing thru the crowd of spectators at the fire Monday to assist the men whom he had worked with for years, that marked his service to the city, and for that matter his entire life.
At the time the pension was offered him on April 4, Mr. Blank was reluctant to accept. He maintained he was still fit for duty. And the fact city officials recognized. It was younger blood they contended was needed.
Mr. Blank became a fireman in 1887, and in the following year, he was appointed assistant to the chief and served until 1900. He was off the department thru the operation of politics during the years 1900 and 1901. In 1902 he had the honor of returning to his work as chief of the fire forces of Burlington, a position he held with honor and esteem until April 4, 1929, when he was pensioned by the city council.
When Mr. Blank entered the fire service of this city, there were seven barns and sheds serving as fire stations. They used horses in those days. He remained with the department and was one of the leading figures in securing the modernization and improvement of Burlington’s fire department. He was one of the first to urge motorization of the department, and he lived to see many of his ideas put into practical effect.
Former Chief Blank had fought fires for over forty years, and most of the time he had directed operations. He has served the department faithfully, and he died a few days after the Basket company fire which his love for the work forced him to attend. He was loved and honored by every fireman in the city and was respected by thousands of friends throughout Burlington.
Mr. Blank was born November 1, 1861, in Burlington and has lived here all of his life. He was educated in the public schools of Burlington, and for a time attended Notre Dame University. He was married in August 1882 to Emma Hermann who survives. At the age of 26, Mr. Blank entered the fire service of Burlington and remained a true fireman until his death. He was a member of the Eagles lodge, and of the Hawkeye Natives. He resided at 608 North Eighth Street. Besides his widow, he is survived by one son, LB Blank of Burlington; one sister, Mrs. James Harover of Chicago, one grandchild, and one-half sister in California.
The six oldest men on the Burlington fire department will serve as pallbearers at the funeral of former Chief LF Blank tomorrow, according to an announcement today by Chief Frank Ostertag, who selected the men who had served the longest with Chief Blank. Those chosen are Henry Hoffman, James Harder, Perry Philpott, CG Martindale, Chief Frank Ostertag, and Assistant Chief Robert Collatt.
Flags at the city hall and fire station are at half-mast today in respect to the former fire chief. Among the floral tributes is one from the Keokuk fire department and one from a representative of the American La France fire apparatus company.
Funeral services for Mr. Blank will be held Tuesday Afternoon at 2:30 from the residence. In charge of services is Rev. JH Buescher, pastor of First Evangelical church, with burial to be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. The bode will be taken to the residence from Unterkircher’s funeral home Tuesday morning.