George Maze 1832-1900

MAZE, GIBSON, MACOMBER

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 7/5/2010 at 10:05:02

Carroll Sentinel
Carroll, Iowa
31 Dec 1900
Page 3

Sudden Death of George Maze.

The community was shocked this morning to learn of the sudden death of an old and esteemed citizen, George Maze, living north of town. Although Mr. Maze has not been strong for several years his general health appeared good and none expected his early demise. He was down town Saturday as usual and attended church yesterday morning, taking his accustomed part in the services, and retired for the night apparently as well as usual. But between 10 and 12 o'clock the swift messenger of death stole silently into his chamber and stilled forever the heart that had pulsated to the noblest impulses of humanity. The community contained no better man than George Maze. Reared according to the strict tenets of the Presbyterian church he maintained to the last his firm belief in the doctrines of that church. Yet he obtruded not his beliefs upon others and while his life was governed by the principles of the religion he espoused he had the utmost charity for the opinions of others. Kind, charitable, and of unswerving integrity, he was a true friend and an upright citizen. His demise will be felt as a personal loss by many more in the community besides his immediate relatives who have the sympathy of all in their misfortune. He leaves a wife and three children to mourn his death, two sons, Geo. P. and John, and one daughter, Mrs. Harriet M. Macomber, the latter two being residents of Chicago.

George Maze was born in the north of Ireland at Castle Blaney, county Monaghan, in 1832, of Scotch-Irish parentage, his mother being Scotch and his father Irish. In his youth his ambition was to enter the Presbyterian ministry and with that end in view at an early age he entered Glasgow university. He was graduated from that institution after completing the regular course when but eighteen years of age with high honors. In a class of 1,400 students he took the second prize for scholarship. After his graduation he commenced the study of theology, but his health failed and he was forced to give up the ministry. In 1852 he came to the United States to join a brother at Peru, Ill., and the vessel upon which the sailed also brought to this country the late P. M. Guthrie, who recognized Mr. Maze when they met in this city thirty years later. Mr. Maze settled at Peru, going from there to Minneapolis in 1865 and to Wheaton, Ill., in 1870. Thirteen years later he came to Carroll and purchased the Betzer farm north of town, where he has since resided until about a year ago when he bought the beautiful home across the road from his old residence, erected by Mike Miller. Since his residence here he has taken an active interest in the affairs of the community, being a prominent member of the Presbyterian church and one of the elders of the church for many years. His death will be especially felt by the church society which has so long profited by his aid and counsel.

The funeral services will be held at the house Wednesday afternoon at 3:30, and on the 8 o'clock train in the evening the family will leave with the remains for Wheaton, Ill., where he will be buried by the side of two of his children who preceded him to the other world.