John P. Dostal

DOSTAL, HOHENSCHUH, MCCADDON, ELLINGSON

Posted By: Joni Hindman (email)
Date: 3/10/2008 at 20:31:57

PIONEER CALLED IN WESTERN CITY

A message from Denver, Col., announces the death, about 9 o'clock this morning, of John P. Dostal, one of Iowa City's justly-esteemed pioneers.

He would have been 70 years of age, on May 1, had he been spared. Mr. Dostal had been ill about four weeks, and a week ago, tomorrow, he underwent an operation of life and death character, the surgeons believing that it was the last hope. Itw [sic] as a frail one, however, and the operation, though it prolonged life for a little while, proved futile, ultimately. Cancer of the stomach was the affliction.

A letter, received this morning, gave news of a slight improevment [sic], but ere many minutes, the more speedy telegram brought the sad news that all was over.

The funeral will take place Wednesday, in the western metropolis, where the interment will be made.

Surviving are the widow, two sons and three daughters. All were with him when he passed away, save one son, George A., a grand opera star, now singing in Milan, Italy.

The other children are Mrs. C. S. Hohenschuh of Iowa City; Mrs. C. M. McCaddon, Denver; Mrs. Jennie Ellingson, Denver; and John M. Dostal, Bucyrus, O., a leading brewer of Ohio.

Mr. Dostal who left here, more than a decade ago, was one of the foremost pioneers of Iowa City. He built the original Iowa brewery here (as well as great breweries, later, in Aurora, Ill.; and Denver) and erected many other large buildings in Iowa City. Residence after residence he constructed in other days, in the northern part of the city, and it was said, not entirely in jest that he "owned about all of the North End" in pioneer days. Perhaps no other one man owned as many different residence properties in Iowa City, in the history of the community.

He was energetic, enterprising and genial. A large circle of oldtime friends will remember him long, and mourn him just as long, as a good man and worthy citizen.

(Iowa City Daily Press, Monday, 15 April 1912, page 4.)