Reinhold E. Piller was born Nov. 6, 1856, in Schlesen, Saxony, Germany, and passed away February 19, 1953, in David City, Nebraska, at the age of 96 years, 3 months and 12 days. At the age of 8, Mr. Piller was left without mother or father, when they were taken from him during a cholera epidemic. He was a baker by trade, and followed this profession until 24 years of age, when he came to the United States. From 1880 to 1886 he resided in Chicago, Illinois.
In November 1881, his fiance, Minna Hartwig, came from Wiesenfels, Germany, and they were united in Holy wedlock immediately upon her arrival in Chicago on November 11th.
To this union was born 8 sons and 3 daughters, 4 sons were taken away in infancy and Reinhold, Jr., at the age of 50 years in 1938. In 1886 they moved west to David City, when he joined in partnership with George Schweser in a general store. In 1898 they moved to Millerton, Neb., where they were engaged in the merchandising business, and he also was postmaster. In 1912 the entire business was destroyed by fire. He immediately began building a large brick structure in which he with his wife, constant companion and helpmate, and their sons, carried on the business. In 1927 on Jan. 3rd, the beloved wife and mother was called to her eternal rest, at the age of 66 years. This, with advanced age, compelled him to retire from active duties and he went to live with his children. The greater part of the time was spent at Gothenburg, where he made many friends whom he loved very dearly. While in David City, Mr. Piller organized a Lutheran congregation and later was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran church at Millerton, of which he was a member for over 55 years. At the age of 72 he was chosen delegate to the International Synodical convention, Missouri Synod, which he attended at Cleveland, Ohio, where he met and made many friends. He helped organize and was Lt. and Capt. of Co. E, National Guards and was instrumental in ending the packing house srikes in Omaha in the early nineties. He was an intimate friend of General and Mrs. Pershing and served as honorary Colonel on Gov. Neville, Gov. Shallenberger and Gov. Aldrich's staffs. During World War I he organized Red Cross schools and worked untiringly, having to his credit the the largest sale of stamps in Butler county. He was self-educated and in the years 1913-1917 he was State Senator, and introduced the first old-age assistance bill. His great generosity and kindness will live on in the memories of his many friends and acquain-tances, and such statements as: "We'll never forget Mr. Piller. If it hadn't been for him we would have gone hungry many times," and "If it had not been for your father we would not have gotten started in our career; he was surely a fine upright gentleman," speak for themselves. His greatest joy was giving, and to make other happy was his main object in life. Sharing of his means even to the extent of depriving himself of necessities. On March 1, 1952, he entered Byers' Nursing home at David City, where he received tender care and nursing, on Feb. 18, 1953, he slipped quietly away to be with his Lord and Saviour to peaceful rest of which he had so long prayed and longed. He is sadly missed by his three sons and three daughters: A. E. Piller, David City, W. F. Piller, Chappell, E. C. Piller, David City, Mrs. Frieda Hoeft, David City, Mrs. Melanie Plank, Gothenburg, and Mrs. Minnie Neujahr, Surprise; 25 grand-children, 43 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grand-child, and a host of friends. Funeral services were held at Immanuel church at Millerton, Saturday, Feb. 21, at 2:30 p.m., preceded by a prayer service in the Chapel of Byers' Funeral home at 1:30. Rev. Beckler was in charge of the service, Mr. Biekman, organist. The children of the church sang "Jesus Lover of My Soul" and "Abide With Me." Six grandsons acted as pallbearers. Interment was in the Pleasant Hill cemetery at Millerton."