Nicholas Gales 1870-1929

GALES, KLEIN

Posted By: Geo Clinton (email)
Date: 8/1/2012 at 09:02:03

April 3, 1929 - Algona Upper Des Moines - The well known St Joe merchant Nicholas Gales was found dead in his bed Monday morning of heart trouble. Death came to him undoubtedly in his sleep, and the body was still warm when discovered. He has been in failing health the past year, and the nature of his trouble was well known to his relatives, so that his sudden passing, while a great shock, was not unexpected. He was up and about the day previous to his death and in his usual health.

Nicholas Gales was born Oct 28, 1870, in Gilbertville, Iowa. He was the son of Nicholas and Susan Gales. He came to St. Joe 34 years ago and engaged in the mercantile business. He was married at St. Joe Sept. 23, 1898, to Teresa Klein. There were born to them five children: Ernest, Mary, Hilda, Raymond, and Margaret. These all live in St Joe. The wife died on Oct. 10, 1910.

Deceased was perhaps the best known and most popular man in the St. Joe vicinity, where he has traded and done business with the farmers for the past thirty odd years. Besides his store, he has acquired considerable land, and was Vice President of the Farmers Savings Bank of Livermore, holding that position ever since the organization of that institution. He was congenial and accommodating and afforded character and stability to every organization or enterprize with which he was connected. St. Joe losses a valuable resident in his passing and the children a kind and loving father.

Deceased was also survived by his mother, five brothers and four sisters. These were present at the funeral together with a large number of other relatives.

Funeral services were held Thursday at St. Joe church. The pallbeares were: Peter Erpelding, Peter Schmitt, John Becker, Casper Thilges, H.M. Thilges, and John Decker. Interment was made in the St. Joseph Catholic cemetery.