DUBUQUE BARBER DIES OF PARALYSIS

SAHM

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 3/21/2006 at 08:21:38

Telegraph Herald
April 17, 1907

DUBUQUE BARBER DIES OF PARALYSIS

Peter Sahm, Prominent Up-Town Resident Expires Wednesday.

WAS ALSO VETERAN MUSICIAN

Had Been a Member of the Military Band for Many Years -- Son in China.

Peter Sahm, aged 70 years, the veteran musician, and one of the oldest and best known barbers of the city, passed away at his residence on Upper Couler avenue at 1:30 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, the direct cause of his demise having been a stroke of paralysis with which the aged sufferer was stricken down on Tuesday.

The deceased has not been in good health for a long time past. Several months ago he was visited with a slight stroke, but soon rallied and was able to be about his business again. A month ago, however, he was taken ill once more, and failed rapidly until the time of the stroke on Tuesday from which his vitality was not sufficient for a recovery.

An Old Citizen.

Mr. Sahm has for years and years conducted a barber shop on the corner of 14th and Clay streets, and was one of the most familiar figures of the northern section of the city, where he has resided for long over a decade.

He was also prominently identified with local musical organizations, having been a member of the Military Band for a number of years. He was last year chosen head of the Musicians' Union of Dubuque, which fact attested to the esteem in which he was held by the fellow members of the organization.

A short time after his election, the deceased was presented with a handsome gold medal, as a testimonial of the regard of the men in the same line of musical work as himself.

The passing of Mr. Sahm removes from the upper end of the city one of its best known figures, and a man whose friends in all sections of Dubuque are legion.

Son In China.

A pathetic incident in connection with the passing of Mr. Sahm is the fact that his son Leo, an officer in the United States navy, and his father's especial pride, is at present cruising in China, and of course cannot attend the funeral.

Besides a wife, the deceased leaves to mourn his loss three sons and three daughters, the Misses Josephine, Lena and Mary, Leo J., John L., of Chicago, and Joseph, of Minneapolis.

The funeral announcement will be made later.