Daniel Altenburg, an old pioneer of the county, died last Thursday at his residence in the north end of town, in the 79th year of his age. Mr. A. was well known throughout the county and observed by many who were unacquainted with him on account of his affliction, having lost an arm almost forty years ago, on account of which he was an intense sufferer, his head being bowed forward until it was difficult for him to look into the face of another, yet amid all this excruciating pain, he bore it with a patience and fortitude seldom equaled. The funeral services were largely attended at the M.E church last Sabbath by relatives, friends, and neighbors.


     In another obituary it reads, "DANIEL ALTENBERG Daniel was born in Montgomery Co., NY, July 19, 1809 and died at his home in Auburn January 19, 1888 aged 78 years, 6 mos. He was married to Miss Sarah Latson March 14, 1833. To this union were born nine children all of whom are living. Mrs. Altenberg departed this life in 1868 and he was again married this time to Miss Susan Gilbert who survives him. He came to IN in 1838 when there were but few homes in Auburn and settled 2 1/2 miles east of the village where he remained until (1873 or 1875) when he sold his farm and came to Auburn. He met with a serious accident from a falling tree which necessated the amputation of his left arm, Feb. 10, 1848. The operation was not successfully performed and in consequence he has been a constant sufferer ever since, some of the time the pain has been terrible and his strong frame has writhed in awful agony. In hopes of obtaining relief he suffered a 2nd operation in Feb. 1884? but found relief and was compelled to suffer on until death released him. Mr. Altenberg was an earnest Christian and bore his sufferings with Christian fortitude. He was converted and joined the M.E. Church 1826, he served his church in various official positions with great acceptability. While the family feel keenly the fact that they shall see his face no more, still they can not help being grateful that at last after 40 year of constant suffering, he is permitted to rest. Surely a good man has gone to his reward."
In an obituary found in the Clara Hanes McCague and family scrapbook... "REST COMES AT LAST The Pioneers are Falling One by One Before the Reaper of Death ALTENBURG -- THE PIONEER. On last Sunday, citizens of Auburn, old neighbors from the country and many sympathizing friends, attended the funeral of Daniel Altenburg. This old man whose later years have been murked by constant pain belonged to a heroic race, now rapidly becoming extinct. He was a pioneer to DeKalb County when its present fine farms, fenceless, and houseless, save at long distances, formed part of a seemingly unbroken forest tenanted by howling wolves and herds of deer. His first night on his farm was marked by fall of snow, dismal howling of wolves, and hardships of winter. Only the pioneer himself knows what labors were required to clear a piece of ground of its heavy timber, what sense of loneliness, so far away from the old home, and so far even from neighbors. Mr. Altenburg is deserving of especial remembrance for his courage and perseverance in leading and preparing the way for the present comfort and wealth of DeKalb County citizens. It was a singular circumstance that on the day his arm was broken by the falling of a tree, two others were injured by like cause. Newspapers in the forties were rare in Northeastern Indiana but of such as were published, Altenburg was a subscriber and from their columns kept himself well informed on current events and perhaps partly owing to this fact and partly as a recognition of his claims as a pioneer, he was chosen Justice of Peace. Altenburg is dead, his pain racked body rests peacefully in our cemetery but his memory should live as long as futurity cherishes gratitude for the pioneers of civilization."


DANIEL ALTENBURG
Dec. 12, 1895 Auburn Courier We are sorry to learn of the death of Daniel Altenburg, of Ithaca, Mich. He died from cancer of the stomach one week ago yesterday and was buried last Wednesday. He was an uncle of Mrs. John Zimmerman and formerly a resident of Auburn.