Ihm, Hermann 1831-1909

IHM, KAELITZ, ZIMMERMAN

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 8/5/2021 at 20:31:23

After a brief illness, Hermann Ihm, a highly esteemed pioneer and prominent business man of Guttenberg, died at 10 o'clock Sunday morning, February 21 aged 77 years, 10 months and 11 days.

On Friday Mr. Ihm attended to business enjoying his usual good health. During the night he suffered a severe pain in the region of the liver and a physician was summoned. He rested quietly during the following day and night and on Sunday morning he arose and sat up. The physician called and on finding that his pulse had ceased to beat, owing to paralysis of the heart, requested him to return to his bed half an hour before he passed away.

Deceased was born in Schwetzingen, Baden, Germany, April 10 1831. He was a well educated young man and had received a clerical training before he came to America in 1851. After staying in Detroit Mich., and Bellville, Ill., some time, he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he met Mr. Weiner with whom he came to Guttenberg in 1854. Both formed a partnership and kept the Cincinatti House for two years.

In 1856 they built the present store building and together conducted a general merchandise business until 1874 when Mr. Weiner sold his interest to his partner.

In 1875 Mr. Ihm built the Guttenberg steam elevator, he also engaged in grain and stock buying. He served as mayor in Guttenberg in 1869 and as town treasurer in 1878 and 1879. He had been a member of the town council at various times and also took great interest in the advancement of our schools and served as president and director of the school board several years, and as treasurer of the Independent School District of Guttenberg from 1882 to 1908.

From the time of its organization in 1856 he was an active member of the Guttenberg Turn-verein for many years. He was a stockholder in the Guttenberg Excelsior Company and its treasurer since its organization. He was a member of Prairie la Porte Lodge No. 147 A.F. & A.M.; Guttenberg Lodge No. 126 I.O.O.F.; Germania Encampment No. 105; Hassendeifel Post No. 146 G.A.R. and Ancient Order of United Workmen.

He served as lieutenant in Co. K, 17th Missouri Infantry from Sept. 7, 1861 till May 10, 1862, when he obtained a discharge on account of ill health.

In June 1867 he was married to Karoline Kaelitz, in Karlsruhe, Baden.

His departure is mourned by his wife and children, Albert of St. Paul; Mrs. W.F. Zimmerman of Tampa, Fla.; Emil and Carl and sister-in-law Miss Marie Kaelitz of this city; besides his brother William in Schwetzingan, Baden, Germany.

Mr. Ihm was known to be accurate and systematic in his business transactions and among the foremost workers for the town's progress and welfare. That he was one of Guttenberg's most honorable and respected citizens was shown by the many who paid their last respects to the departed and extended their sympathy to his surviving loved ones.

Funeral services were held yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock under the auspices of Prairie la Porte Lodge No. 147, A.F. & A.M. with members of Guttenberg Lodge No. 126 I.O.O.F. and Hassendeifel Post No. 146 G.A.R. attending in a body. Interment was made in the city cemetery.

~Clayton County Journal, Guttenberg; Friday, February 26 1909

Note: typed exactly as printed in the paper