George Selzer 1855-1933

SELZER, STUMPF, EICHACKER

Posted By: Georgea Clinton (email)
Date: 6/1/2011 at 10:25:41

Sept 16, 1933 - Carroll Daily - George Selzer, 78, prominent in business circles in Carroll for many years and a resident of the city for nearly 50 years, died this morning at 7:40 o'clock at his home on Bluff and Main streets. Funeral services will be held at the home Monday afternoon at 3 o'clock and burial will be in the family lot in the city cemetery.

George Selzer was born at Baden-Baden, Germany, Feb. 2, 1855, and when a boy of 14 came with his parents, George and Mary Selzer, and their family to the United States and settled in the Amana colony at Homestead in Iowa county. He was united in marriage at that place to Christine Stumpf and to this union four children were born, George, Miss Mamie and Carl, all at home, and Henrietta, who died at the age of 9. Mrs. Selzer died Nov. 4, 1927. In addition to the children, Mr. Selzer is survived by two brothers and three sisters: John Selzer of Carroll, Mike Selzer, of Scottsbluff. Neb., Mrs. Mary Eichacker, Miss Barbara and Miss Catherine Selzer, all of Homestead.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Jacob Selzer, of Homestead.

Mr. Selzer grew up and was educated in the Amana colony and as every boy was compelled to learn a trade - he chose the harness business. Upon the completion of his apprenticeship, he took the position of bookkeeper in the office of the wholesale department in the woolen mills and later was traveling salesman for the mills. During his salesmanship trips he came to Carroll where his brother, Mike Selzer, was already located and made the acquaintance of the late Charles Neu and decided to locate in Carroll.

He arrived here with his wife and son, George, Jr., in March, 1885, and for a time was associated with his brother Mike Selzer in the bottling works in the brick building still standing on Bluff street. In 1893 he acquired the business, which he later sold to his brother John Selzer and took a position with Charles Neu who was in the wholesale liquor business. After a time Mr. Neu took him into the business as a partner and when he retired Mr. Selzer became the sole owner. During this time he purchased the lot on Adams street where the Hentges-Ley store is located and erected a building for a bowling alley.

After the fire the lot was sold to John Gruber. Later he disposed of the wholesale liquor business to his brother John Selzer and remodeled the bowling alley and instituted the first combination grocery and meat market in Carroll in the spring of 1908. In 1910 he went into the automobile business with his son, Carl Selzer, and the following year, Jan. 1, 1911, sold the grocery and meat business to his son George Selzer and V.H. Scharnweber and the family went to California for the benefit of Mrs. Selzer's health.

The first apartment building in Carroll was erected by Mr. Selzer in the summer of 1922 and his son George became the manager. In 1924 he again entered the automobile business and built the fine garage and shops on North Main street in which Bryce Kenning is now located. Mr. Selzer was prominent in the business affairs of Carroll since his advent 43 years ago. He took an active part in promoting better conditions and assisted in all matters pertaining to the growth of the city. He served as fireman and councilman and for years was secretary of the Carroll County fair. He was for many years vice president of the Carroll County State bank and was associated with J.P. Hess, whom he numbered with his earliest friends.

He retired from active business about four years ago and gave his affairs into the hand of his sons. The family have always lived on Bluff Street. The first home was what is now the Teresa Hoffman Barry property and from that place they moved to the spacious home on the corner of Bluff and Main streets, which Mr. Selzer built in 1895. His deepest interest was in his home and he was devoted to his family.

About a year ago Mr. Selzer's eye sight began to fail and his health failed with it. He had been in bed for the last three weeks. He wanted no one but his children around him and his two sons and daughter tenderly administered to his wants until last Thursday when Miss Carolyn Schoenjahn, R.N., was called to assist in caring for the patient. Not many people knew Mr. Selzer was ill and the report of his death this morning came as a surprise to them.