George Grems 1832-1920

GREMS, GOLDSBERRY, HARVEY, BUCK

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 7/22/2010 at 22:49:19

Swan Lake Pioneer Died Last Monday
George Grems Came to Emmet County in 1883 – Funeral Services Today
Another Emmet county pioneer was called to his last rest last Monday when George Grems answered the final summons to the life beyond. Mr. Grems came to this county in 1888 and bought a farm near Swan Lake. He made his home there until the time of his death. He was one of the hardy pioneers who made it possible for Emmet county to take the place she occupies today. He was honored and respected by all who knew him and his loss to the community will be keenly felt.

George Grems was born March 16, 1832 in Oneida county, New York and died at this home near Gruver Dec. 27, 1920, aged 88 years 9 months and 11 days.

He remained at the home on the farm until he was 15 years of age, attending district school during the winter. Then he commenced work with a brother at the carpenter’s trace and followed that business until 22 years of age. He remained in Oneida county until 1867 working at various employments, four seasons during this time he worked on the Erie canal.

In 1867 he went west, locating for short time at Monroe, Wisconsin. Soon after he moved to Bremer county, Iowa, where he engaged in the wagon making business, opening a shop of his own. In 1869 he went to Chickasaw county and with his brother, William, entered the hardware business. After about a year and a half he sold out and again opened a wagon shop which he operated until 1883 when he moved to Emmet county and purchased a farm near Swan Lake where he resided until the time of his death.

Mr. Grems was married Dec. 12, 1872, to Mrs. Caroline Goldsberry who died March 13, 1916. To this union seven children were born, six of whom are still living.

Funeral services will be held at the home Wednesday, December 29, and the remains laid to rest in the East Side cemetery. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, December 29, 1920)

Aged Pioneer Passes Away
Geo. Grems, Who Has Resided In County for Many Years Died Monday
Was Almost Ninety Years Old
Came West From New York In the Early Days and Settled in Wisconsin and Then Iowa
George Grems, another of Emmet County’s highly respected pioneer citizens, passed away at his home near Gruver Monday, after enjoying life for almost eighty-nine years.

Mr. Grems was born March 16, 1832, in Oneida County, New York. He resided there on the home farm with his parents until fifteen years of age. During this time he attended the public schools. At that age he desired to learn a trade and engage with his bother in the carpenter trade which he followed for seven years. He remained in Oneida County until 1867, a portion of the time working on the Erie Canal. In 1867 he decided to leave for the west and for a time he resided at Monroe, Wis. He was not satisfied there and moved in a short time to Bremer County, Iowa. There he engaged in the wagon business for himself. In 1869 he went with his brother, William, to Chickasaw County where they engaged in the hardware business. They remained in this business for about a year and a half and sold out. Mr. Grems again engaged in the wagon business until 1883 when he came to this county where he purchased a farm and where he has resided until the time of his death. In 1872 Mr. Grems was united in marriage to Caroline Goldsbury who passed away in March 1916. To this union there were seven children born six of whom are still living.

The funeral services were held from the home and the remains laid to rest in the East Side cemetery in this city. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, December 29, 1920)

Gruver – Tuesday morning at eight o’clock occurred the death of Mr. Grems, one of our oldest residents. Mr. Grems was 89 years old. He had been in poor health for some time, but he ate his breakfast as usual on Tuesday morning so his death was so sudden it was a shock to his family and friends. He leaves two daughters, Mrs. Susan Harvey and Mrs. Carrie Buck of New Mexico and three sons, Frank, Walter and George to mourn his loss. Funeral was held on Wednesday. Burial in Estherville. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, December 29, 1920)