Henry Besler (1848 - 1921)

BESLER, KUEN, CLARK, HEDGES

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 7/18/2025 at 19:47:43

HENRY BESLER DIED SUDDENLY YESTERDAY

Henry Besler, one of the best known of the older residents of the city, died suddenly at 11 p.m. yesterday at his home, 1543 First Avenue. Mr. Besler was around town yesterday in apparently good health, and his death, resulting from heart failure, was unexpected.

Mr. Besler was born in Posen, Germany, March 4, 1848. When eighteen years of age he came alone to this country, attracted by its opportunities and desiring to escape Prussian militarism.

He was educated in the schools of Germany and there learned the carpenter trade which he took up on coming to this country, working first in Davenport and afterward in this city. As a contractor and as foreman for P. Mullally, the leading contractor of that period, he was interested in the erection of many of the earlier business blocks, including the Grand Hotel and Waterhouse building in First avenue. He afterwards engaged in business as a paving contractor, laying the first brick pavements in the city of Cedar Rapids more than thirty years ago. He constructed many miles of paving in Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Peoria, and elsewhere.

His older son, Charles L. Besler, was afterward interested with him and during the last fifteen years has been in business as paving contractor in Winfield and Wichita, Kans., where he now resides. His younger son, Henry J. Besler, is engaged in business in Manhattan, Kans.

In 1878 Mr. Besler married Anna Kuen of Norway, who survives him. They lived their entire married life in this city. Besides his two sons and widow, Mr. Besler is survived by his three daughters, Mrs. C. F. Clark, Mrs. Harry T. Hedges, and Miss Rose Besler, all of this city.

Although Mr. Besler had not been in active business for several years, he was still well known by the businessmen and had a host of friends and acquaintances in the city. He was a member of Star of the West K. P. lodge, Mt. Hermon Masonic lodge, the Knight Templars and the Shrine.

The funeral arrangements will be announced later on the arrival of his sons from Kansas. (Source: The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, IA, Wed, Sep 7, 1921, pg. 11)