Ostrom, Gustavus 1844-1907

OSTROM

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 10/1/2010 at 14:42:51

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
Tuesday, August 20, 1907

DEATH OF GUS. OSTROM
Pioneer Citizen Succumbs to Long and Painful Illness

Gus. Ostrom, one of the pioneer and best known residents of Plymouth County, died at the city hospital at about midnight Saturday. Mr. Ostrom had been in poor health for more than a year before he died. He was operated on for an internal trouble from which he recovered. Last winter he went to California for his health and struck a bad winter there, suffering from cold succeeded by a severe attack of pleurisy, which ultimately developed into chronic lung trouble, which with other complications caused his death.

Mr. Ostrom suffered much in his last illness, but bore the pain with fortitude and patience and never complained. His last days on earth were brightened by relatives and many friends who did their best to alleviate his sufferings and distract his mind from his illness.

Gustavus Ostrom was a native of Sweden, where he was born in Wexio on December 24, 1844. He spent his boyhood and youth in his native land but early in life started out for the new land in the western hemisphere, coming to Chicago in 1869. In 1871 he came to Plymouth County and homesteaded land in Grant township where he lived for a number of years and then came to LeMars which has been his home since. Mr. Ostrom never married and his only relatives in this part of the world are his brother, John Ostrom, and his nephew, Ernest Ostrom, of Westfield township. The deceased was a member of LeMars lodge No. 235 I.O.O.F. and also of LeMars Encampment No. 116 and of Canton Logan No. 38.

The funeral will be held this afternoon at 2 o’clock at the First Presbyterian Church, of which he was a member, and the interment made in the City Cemetery.

Gus. Ostrom had a wide acquaintance and was almost universally well liked. He was essentially a square man, upright and honorable in all his business and social dealing with his fellow men. He was a gentle and unassuming disposition. His ways were gentle as a woman’s. His heart was full of charity and kindness. A friend on hearing of his death, paid a true deed of tribute to his memory in saying that if more men were like Gus. Ostrom the world would be a better place.

His death is sincerely regretted by a large circle of friends who hold he did not live in vain.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
November 17, 1908

IN MEMORY OF GUS OSTROM
ODD FELLOWS HOLD SERVICE AT FIRST METHODIST CHURCH
FINE MONUMENT OVER HIS GRAVE
Members of Lodges from LeMars, Sioux City, Melbourne, and Ireton in Attendance and Listened to a Fine Address by Past Grand Master L. M. White

The members of Odd Fellow lodges of LeMars, Sioux City, Floyd Valley and Ireton paid tribute on Sunday to the memory of Gustavus Ostrom, a well known and long time resident of LeMars, who died in this city in August of last year, and the ceremony of unveiling the monument at his grave was conducted. In addition to the LeMars Odd Fellows about seventy-five were present from Sioux City and a number from Floyd Valley, Melbourne and other lodges from nearby towns were also represented. The services were held at the First Methodist church and were conducted by grand lodge officers, Past grand master, W.M. White of Sioux City; Past Grand Patriarch, Geo. M. Kellogg, of Sioux City, and Grand Master L. W. White, of Woodbine. F. M. Roseberry presided at the ceremonies. Fine music was rendered by a picked choir and Miss Curtis, of Independence, sang a beautiful solo.

L. W. White of Woodbine made the chief address and its theme was absorbingly interesting and held the attention of his audience in a remarkable degree. In his address he dwelt on the value of working together in brotherhood and unison and said the order was in line with churches in striving to do good for humanity and the uplifting of mankind. In his talk he alluded to the virtues of the deceased whose memory they were gathered together to honor.

The grand lodge committee visited the city cemetery in the morning and viewed the fine monument erected over the grave of their departed brother.

Gustavus Ostrom during his life was an ardent Odd Fellow and at his death bequeathed a legacy to the Odd Fellows Orphans Home at Mason City. A slab with his name and a simple inscription is to be placed at the Odd Fellows Orphans Home at that place.

The monument is a fine spire fifteen feet high, made of St. Cloud granite, and bears on it the name of the deceased and emblems of the Odd Fellow order.