Henry A. Bechtel 1855-1910

BECHTEL, JOHNSON

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 9/11/2010 at 17:56:47

Henry A. Bechtel Dies of Apoplexy
Is Stricken Saturday Afternoon and Dies at Three O’Clock Sunday Morning
Funeral Thursday
Had Recently Purchased Lumber Yard of W. W. Fullam – Splendid Citizen

Henry A. Bechtel, who recently purchased the lumber and coal business of W. W. Fullam was suddenly stricken with apoplexy Saturday afternoon and died at three o’clock Sunday [December 4, 1910] morning without regaining consciousness. His death was a great shock to his family as well as to the community. That day he had been as well as usual and ate a hearty dinner. Soon after he went to the lumber yard and started to shovel some cinders and while thus engaged was stricken down.

Funeral is to be held this Thursday from the residence, conducted by Rev. Mitchell of the Presbyterian church.

He is survived by his wife, two sons, Raymond E. and Donald G., and a sister, Mrs. A. P. Johnson, of Glidden, Iowa.

Mr. Bechtel was born in Dubuque, Iowa, June 18, 1855, and was therefore a little past 55 years of age when he died. For about twenty-five years he has been in the lumber business in different towns in Iowa. About two months ago he purchased the lumber and coal business of W. W. Fullam, of this city, and moved his family here soon after. He was comparatively a stranger in our midst, but those who met him found him to be a gentleman and an honorable business man.

The sympathy of the community goes forth to the family in his untimely death. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, December 7, 1910)