Martin Myhre 1872-1949

MYHRE, SKOR, BONSTEAD, THORESON, STORHOW, HORSWELL, BLACK, KIDDER, KEDDER

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 6/6/2013 at 23:44:37

Martin Myhre Dies; Widely Known Barber

Martin Myhre, 76, native of Emmet county and long time Graettinger barber, died last night in Cedar Rapids at the home of his son, Arthur. He had been visiting Arthur for the past 10 days. Sunday his wife had been called to Cedar Rapids because of his weakened condition. His body will be returned to Graettinger for burial.

He was born Dec. 25, 1872, on a farm in High Lake township, received his education in Emmet county rural schools, and attended Moller barber school in Minneapolis. He opened his barbershop in Graettinger, Aug. 15, 1898, and kept his shop in continuous operation for more than 50 years. He sold his business Oct. 30, 1948, his retirement being forced by poor health.

Myhre had a good memory of the old days in Graettinger and could spin many a story of the colorful 50 years he spent in his barbershop. His whole life had been in the barbershop where he went to work early and stayed late as was the custom in the early days.

Survivors include his wife, one son, Arthur; two daughters, Mrs. Robert Black of North Canton, O.; and Mrs. Tom Howard Horswell of Des Plaines, Ill.; a sister, Mrs. Tom Storhow of La Grange, Ill.; and three brothers, Albert of Huntington, Oscar of Estherville, and Elmer of Des Moines. A daughter, Mrs. Merle Kidder of North Dakota, preceded him in death.

Services will be held Friday in First Lutheran church at Graettinger, Rev. E.W. Quam officiating. Burial will be at Graettinger. [Wallingford Lutheran] (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, October 6, 1949)

Funeral of Martin Myhre Friday Was Largely Attended
Burial Was In Riverside Cemetery
The remains of Martin Myhre, veteran Graettinger businessman, were laid to rest Friday afternoon in Riverside cemetery, Wallingford, in the township where he was born almost 77 years ago.

Mr. Myhre passed away Wednesday evening, October 5, 1949, at the home of his son Arthur at Cedar Rapids. He had been in failing health for the past couple of years and during the past few months declined quite rapidly. Ten days before his death he went to Cedar Rapids with his son. For a few days he felt quite well and was able to be about and then was taken critically ill. Mrs. Myhre went to Cedar Rapids Monday to be with her husband. He passed away the following Wednesday evening.

The remains were brought to the Myhre home in Graettinger Thursday evening and the funeral was held Friday afternoon. Short services were conducted at the home at 1:30 and the regular funeral service at the First Lutheran church at 2:00. The pastor, the Rev. E.W. Quam, officiated. The church was filled with relatives and friends of the deceased. Banks of beautiful flowers surrounded the casket and scores of memorial mission offerings were made in memory of the deceased. Rev. Quam paid a very nice compliment to Mr. Myhre and praised highly his high ideals and Christian life. Deceased was one of the deacons of the church and had been a member of the church for a half century.

Burial was in Riverside cemetery in High Lake township. Pallbearers were A.C. Christiansen, A.L. Herem, Robert Simonsen, C.A. Jensen, Mike Weinholzer and John J. Sullivan. Funeral arrangements were in charge of the Martin Funeral Services.

Martin Myhre was born on Christmas day, 1872, on a farm in High Lake township. He received his early education in the High Lake rural schools. He engaged in farming for a time and then enrolled in the Moller barber school at Minneapolis. After completing his apprenticeship he opened a barber shop in Graettinger August 15, 1898, and operated the business until October 30, 1948. Mr. Myhre’s health had been failing for some time but he was anxious to complete 50 years of service in his own shop. On August 15 of a year ago he reached this mark and then continued work for a few months.

On June 28, 1899, he was united in marriage to Miss Mathilda Caroline Skor, of Calmar, Iowa. Four children were born to this union. They are Arthur I. Myhre of Cedar Rapids; Mrs. Howard Horswell, of Desplaines, Illinois; and Mrs. Robert Black, of North Canton, Ohio. A daughter, Mrs. Merle Kidder, passed away in North Dakota some years ago. Mrs. Myhre died November 12, 1929.

On June 6, 1934, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Nettie Bonstead Thoreson.

His death is mourned by his wife, by the children mentioned above, by six stepchildren, ten grandchildren, eleven step grandchildren and on step great grandchild.

His passing is also mourned by a sister and by three brothers. The sister is Mrs. Tom Storhow, of LaGrange, Illinois. The brothers are Albert of Huntington, Iowa; Oscar, of Estherville; and Elmer, of Des Moines.

Mr. Myhre’s boyhood years were spent on the High Lake farm on which he was born. When a young man he engaged in farming for a short time but quit this line of work to engage in the barbering business. Upon the completion of his training he opened a barber shop in Graettinger August 15, 1898. He built the building for his new shop and continued occupying it until failing health compelled him to quit work in the fall of 1948 – a few months more than a half century.

When Mr. Myhre first made arrangements to open a barber shop here he leased a frame building located on the north side of the street. The day he came to take possession of it, it was filled with furniture. This furniture was moved from the Paulson Furniture store which had a fire the evening before. He immediately started work on the new building which is still used for the purpose for which it was built.

During his fifty years as a business man and as a citizen of Graettinger he was active in various community affairs. He served as a member of the town council for several years and also served as a member of the board of education of the Graettinger Independent district. Years ago, perhaps not far from a half century ago, he erected a fine, comfortable home in Graettinger and occupied it until his death. He took great pride in trees and flowers. Rock formations adorned his yard and his hobby, outside of barbering, was his garden and the beautifying of his home surroundings.

He was a member of the First Lutheran church, Graettinger, and a member of that faith throughout his long lifetime. He was one of the officers of the local church.

Mr. Myhre was a home loving man, a devoted husband and a loving, thoughtful, provident parent. He always merited the esteem and good will of his friends and his business associates. He was Graettinger’s oldest business man, in number of years of service.

The writer has known Mr. Myhre for the past fifty years and we prized his friendship and regarded him highly. We feel a personal loss in his passing and the community feels keenly the death of this splendid citizen.

The sympathy of all is extended to Mrs. Myhre and to the son and daughter and other relatives in their sorrow. (Graettinger Times, Graettinger, IA, October 13, 1949)