GROTE, John F. 1852-1927

GROTE, JEFFERIES, VAN MATRE

Posted By: Michael Kearney (email)
Date: 10/22/2002 at 15:19:12

The Clinton Advertiser Saturday March 12, 1927 John F. Grote, for many years a prominent resident of this city, died at Jane Lamb hospital this morning at 6:15 after an illness that had been severe for the past three weeks. Mr. Grote was born in Hamburg, Germany,on April 20, 1852 and came to America in 1871, living in New York for a year and then coming west to Lyons in 1872. He was employed as clerk in a Lyons business establishment for a time and then came to Clinton and entered the employ of Seaman Brothers, who conducted a dry goods store where Towle and Hypes' building now stands. He later moved to Westside, Iowa, and engaged in business there until he was appointed to the government service as postal inspector, holding this position for 12 years. During this time he moved back to Clinton, in 1902, and has made his home here ever since. In 1875 he was united in marriage to Miss Belle Jeffries of Clinton and to this union several children were born, only one of whom is now living, Mrs. William of Wauchula, Florida. Mrs. Grote passed away in 1902 and in 1906 Mr. Grote was married to Nellie S. Van Matre, of Warrensburg, Missouri. One child was born to this union, Helen, at home. Two brothers survive, E.F. Grote of Topeka, Kansas and F.E. Grote of Arcadia, California. Since 1912 Mr. Grote has bene engaged in the real estate and insurance business in Clinton. He was a member of DeMolay consistory, Tangier Temple, Mystic Shrine, Omaha, Neb., and Western Star lodge, A.F.and A.M. He was a state representative from Crawford county inthe 26th general assembly and in the extra session which was held that year, and was a member of the Clinton city council in 1914 ad 1915. Funeral services will be held at the Scottish Rite cathedral Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock when the Rose Croix service will be read. Burial will be in Oakland cemetery.