WASS, Geo. F. 1849-1923

WASS, WEGSTEIN

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 3/5/2015 at 21:46:38

Geo. F. Wass Suffers Stroke, Dies Suddenly

Stricken At About 2 O'Clock Wednesday Afternoon; Dies At 11:30 P.M.

Had Been In Usual Health

Was a Resident of Grundy Center for the Past Sixty-Seven years

This community was shocked this (Thursday) morning when it was known that Geo. F. Wass had passed away about 11:30 last evening, following a stroke of paralysis shortly after the noon hour of the same day in which one side was entirely paralyzed and he never regained consciousness or spoke after he was stricken.

Mr. Wass had been at work during the forenoon trimming up some trees in his yard that had been blown down by a recent storm. He ate his dinner as usual and returned to his work after the meal. He had not worked long when he returned to the house and remarked to Mrs. Wass that he was not feeling well. He started towards the bedroom and fell to the floor. He was gotten upon the bed and Dr. Eug. A. Crouse was called. It was decided at once that he had suffered a stroke and he passed away with out regaining consciousness at about 11:30 the same evening.

Mr. Wass had expected to leave in company with J. R. Martz next Sunday evening to attend the National G.A.R. Encampment at Milwaukee in session there next week. His sudden death was a great shock to the relatives and the entire community where he had resided since a boy, or for about sixty-seven years. He was in his 74th year.

Besides the wife he leaves two daughters, Mrs. Rev. Claude Miller, Wellington, Kansas, who with her family are sojourning at present at Colorado Springs, Colo., and Mrs. Chapman, living near Sacramento, Calif. Two brothers living in South Dakota, and a sister at Eureka Springs, Ark., all of whom were here recently to pay him a visit.

No arrangements have been made for the funeral, as word is being awaited for from distant relatives.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 30 August 1923, pg 1

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George F. Wass

The last sad rites for the late George F. Wass, of this city, were held from the Baptist church on Monday afternoon last (Sept. 3rd), Rev. David Alexander, Pastor of that church, assisted by Rev. Earl W. Benbow, of the First Presbyterian church, officiating. The services were largely attended by citizens of the town, who had known Mr. Wass for many years, and out of respect for him as one of the oldest residents of the town the business houses closed during the funeral. Interment was in the cemetery west of town.

George Francis Wass was born at Addison Point, Maine, January 23, 1849. He was the oldest child of Rufus W. and Mary A. E. Wass. He came west with his parents, arriving at Grundy Center, Iowa, in December, 1856. His parents later located at Hudson, in Blackhawk county, returning to Grundy Center in the early 70s. Frank began working on the farms at an early age, and in October, 1864, he enlisted at Waterloo as a member of G Company, First Iowa Cavalry. He went to Dubuque to camp, but was shortly afterward honorably discharged because of his youth and under size. Returning, he soon after came to Grundy Center, which has ever since remained his home. A few years later he began farming for himself. His first business venture was in the livery business, which he continued for a number of years. Then he engaged in the farm implement business for many years, and during his later years has been engaged in the retail coal business.

March 6th, 1882, he married Miss Emma C. Wegstein, of Grundy Center, and to this union six children were born, five daughters and one son, two daughters and the son dying in infancy. One daughter, Mary Adean, died in March, 1915, in the 25th year of her life. Two daughters, Mrs. Ida Mable Miller, of Wellington, Kansas, and Mrs. Frances A. Chapman, of Rio Linda, California, and his loving wife survive him. One sister, Mrs. Louise W. Carleton, of Eureka Springs, Ark., and two brothers, I. N. Wass, of Beresford, S.D., and V. C. Wass, of Dell Rapids, S.D., also survive him.

Deceased was a member of Wilson Post No. 71 G.A.R. of this city, of which he held the position of adjutant at the time of his death. He was also an aide de camp on the staff of the Department Commander with the rank of Colonel, and expected to attend the National Encampment at Milwaukee this week.

He had also been a leading member of Telulah Lodge I.O.O.F. for nearly 49 years, and had held many positions of honor therein.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 6 September 1923, pg 1