GRUETZMACHER, John (1854-1925)

GRUETZMACHER, SCHAEFER, GRIESEMER

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society
Date: 1/24/2021 at 13:16:16

John Gruetzmacher Passed Away Monday Morning

Was Pioneer Business Man

Was In Business Here For Great Number Of Years

Was Prominent In Town Affairs And Official In Church

The people of this community were sadly shocked when the news was spread about that Mr. John Gruetzmacher had passed away at eight o'clock Monday morning.

Mr. Gruetzmacher felt in his usual good health Sunday morning and was up and about the house. At about ten o'clock he was getting ready to go to Garner with his wife and daughter to spend the day with relatives. He felt a dizzy spell overcome him and called to his wife who assisted him to his chair in the living room and after a few moments announced that he felt better and instead of going to Garner thought perhaps he would go to church instead. He talked with the family and with his brother Charlie and family who had been visiting them and bade them good-bye as they were about to leave for their Minneapolis home. A little later he was questioned by his daughter, Hulda, as to how he felt and he replied, "I am alright, the dear Lord is with us all." These were the last words he spoke as he seemed to have another dizzy spell and a doctor was summoned. At eleven o'clock he fell into a deep, peaceful sleep from which he did not again awake. He passed away peacefully to meet his Master.

John Gruetzmacher was born in Columbus, Wisconsin on October 21, 1854, and died at his home in Klemme, Iowa, Monday, November 30, 1925, at the age of 71 years.

Mr. Gruetzmacher has been a familiar figure in Klemme for a great number of years. In fact, he is one of the pioneers of this section of the country. He first entered the grain business in Klemme quite a number of years ago and ran an elevator for a number of years.

Mr. Gruetzmacher was postmaster in Klemme for a period of eighteen years, and during this time his brother, George, joined him and together they entered the hardware and implement business, which they conducted for a number of years. Mr. Gruetzmacher's daughters took charge of the post office for him during part of the time he was in the hardware store.

Some seven years ago, Esther, a daughter became ill and she was taken to Colorado for her health, and it was at this time that the two brothers sold their store to E. F. Jacobs.

After the death of Esther the family returned to Klemme and Mr. Gruetzmacher has since devoted his time to his home and church work, both of which he loved faithfully.

Besides being active in business, Mr. Gruetzmacher was president of the school board for a number of years and was treasurer of the board at the time of his death.

He has been an active worker in the church during his entire life and faithfully attended the duties of his office.

As a man, we have known him for eight years and he was always jolly and cordial, a fairer man in business could not be found.

He was devoted to his home and there he was always happy to meet his friends and visit with them.

The funeral services are being held this afternoon at the Methodist Church and interment will be made in the Klemme Cemetery.

source: Times, Klemme, Iowa, 3 Dec 1925, page 1, column 1

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Mr. John Gruetzmacher

Genuine sorrow obtained on Sunday noon when it was learned that Mr. John Gruetzmacher had been suddenly stricken and was seriously ill.

While he had not been as sprightly of late as formerly yet he was considered of good health. This made the shock the greater. From the beginning serious consequences were feared. He began to feel ill about the middle of the forenoon making it advisable for him and his family to abandon the plans for the day, thinking that by rest and quiet he would soon be well again. Instead his condition became more grave as the forenoon wore on, when medical help and members of the family were summoned to his bedside. At about one o'clock he lapsed into unconsciousness from which he did not rally again, until his soul took its flight to the immortal realms the following morning.

Without a doubt, everyone who knew him considered him a man of God and living example of the saving and keeping power of the religion of Jesus Christ.

Often he has expressed the desire that when the time of his departure came that he would like to go suddenly and thus be spared of a long siege of sickness and suffering.

He had also said that one should always live so close to God that when God called, He find us ready.

The first came happily true and the last was happily true we firmly believe.

Mr. John Gruetzmacher was born at Columbus, Wis., on October 21, 1854, and died after a brief illness early Monday morning, Nov. 20, 1925, at the age of 71 years, 1 month and 9 days.

He lived at the place of his birth until about 24 years of age when he was married to Miss Mary Schaefer, on October 12, 1878. Soon after their marriage they took their departure and moved westward to Hancock County, Iowa, taking up their abode on a farm three miles west of Klemme, now known as the Christ Schaefer farm.

Two daughters were born to this union. They are Mrs. Paul Griesemer, who with her mother, survive the father and husband, and Miss Esther, who preceded her father about seven years ago.

After living on the farm for some years the family moved to Klemme shortly after the beginning of this new town, where Mr. Gruetzmacher entered business as a grain dealer. He met with signal success in his business venture. This may no doubt be attributed to his straight forwardness and honesty in all his dealings.

He later entered into partnership with his brother, George, in the hardware and implement business, also holding the office of postmaster for about 18 years.

It was the rich heritage of the deceased to be born and reared in a Christian home where praying parents directed him in early youth and gave him direction for his later life. All this with telling effect, for he not only became a member of the church in early life but he tried to apply the principles of the religion of Jesus Christ in the business and social world as well.

For many years he was an officer in the church, serving the church in one capacity or another. To him it was a great event when when the several churches showed the grace and wisdom to look beyond their own confines and to join for a bigger and better work for the Kingdom of God at this place.

Mr. Gruetzmacher is survived by his companion of nearly half a century, by his daughter, Huldah; by his brothers, George and Frank of this place and brother Charles of Lime Springs, Iowa. Two brothers preceded him in death. One son-in-law, P. M. Griesemer, seven nieces, eight nephews, besides many other relatives and close friends mourn his death.

Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at two o'clock in the Methodist Church, conducted by the pastor, Rev. A. W. Gauger. He was assisted by Rev. Metcalf who several years ago conducted an evangelistic meeting here, by Rev. VanMetre of Garner, and by Rev Meyer and Rev. Wessel. The latter two gentlemen were former pastors of the deceased.

Interment was made in the Klemme cemetery.

source: Times, Klemme, Iowa, 10 Dec 1925, page 4, column 4