Scheark, William 1850-1906

SCHERAK, GEISE

Posted By: Barbara Hug (email)
Date: 1/31/2005 at 09:57:23

William Scheark, whose death occurred yesterday morning, March 8, 1906, at his late residence in this city was nearly fifty-six years of age having been born at Elsterwerda, Germany *** 27, 1850.

The father, Traugot (Scher) Scheark, was a farmer. When William the eldest son was fourteen years old his father died, and his mother passed away in ****. He has a stepfather and a half****, residing in Hamburg, Germany, the only ones of his parental family that survive him.

At fifteen years of age he began to learn his trade, carriage and wagon making, in his native country. He worked three years and during this time received no compensation but his food and clothing.

He served under King William three years and two months in the Prussian Army, and later was in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71.

When twenty-three years old, he came to America. Landing in New York he remained in that city one year, the spent a year and a half in St. Louis, and six months at Black Hills, South Dakota.

Just three years after coming to this country he came to this county and began working for W. O. ***nn’s carriage shop. Here he was employed for over seven years until 1882, at which time he started in business for himself, in the same block where his wagon, carriage and blacksmith shop is now located.

Mr. Scheark was a fine workman, no better one in his line of work has ever been in business in Newton. He has done an extensive business, not alone in blacksmithing, wagon and carriage repairing, but has also work up a good trade as a dealer in vehicles.

In the year 1879 he was married to Miss Henrietta Geise. Two children were born to them, Carl W., employed in the Graham Drug Establishment at Des Moines, and Harry E., an SUI student, both of whom arrived home the last of the week and assisted the mother in the care of their father during the last days of his illness.

It was about a year ago that Mr. Scheark’s health began to fail, and since last August he has been under the care of a physician, but not until about eight weeks ago, when he contracted a severe cold, did his friends feel great anxiety in regard to his condition. He went to Colfax a month ago hoping to get relief and conquer the disease, but he received no help and from that time until death relieved him he was a constant sufferer.

Only once since returning from Colfax was he away from the home, then he went to the shop to open the safe and returned so exhausted that he could hardly get from the carriage to the house.

Although Mr. Scheark was not a member of the church, he attended the Lutheran services, having been at fourteen years of age baptized and confirmed in that denomination. He enjoyed the society and kind attention of friends, was fond of his home, was a good husband and father. In business he was strictly honest, meeting his obligations with promptness and integrity.

Deceased was a member of Newton Lodge No. 59 A. F. and A. M. Gebal Chapter No. 12 R. A. M., Oriental Commandery No. 22 K. T. and Za-Ga-Zig Temple A. A. O. N. M. S. of Des Moines. He was a very able and enthusiastic Mason. For three years he was High Priest of Gebal Chapter, where he served with great credit to himself and chapter, making one of the best High Priests Gebal Chapter ever had.

The funeral was held from the Lutheran Church next Sunday at 2 p.m. and will be in charge of the Masonic Order. ~ The Newton Daily News, Friday, March 9, 1906, Page 1, Column 1