Pew, George E. 1850-1916

PEW, BURROWS

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 8/9/2019 at 13:29:02

From: Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, April 7, 1916

Geo E. Pew Dead

Was Leading Business Man Here for Forty Years

The End Came Unexpectedly

Deceased Was One of the Pioneers of the Northwest and Located in Le Mars at an Early Day and Engaged in Implement Trade

The news of the sudden death of George E. Pew, a widely known business man and pioneer resident of Le Mars, circulated in the business places and on the street Wednesday morning, came as a shock to the community, in which he has been a well known figure for more than forty years and expressions of regret were heard on all sides.

Mr. Pew had been slightly ailing and had been away from his place of business but on Tuesday was feeling much better and stronger and proposed to be down town at his office again on Wednesday.

Two weeks ago last Saturday, suffering from a slight attack of grip, he followed the advice of his physician, who recommended rest and a brief cessation from work, and stayed at home. He was able to be out again last week and on Tuesday afternoon he enjoyed a long visit from a traveling man, a friend of his. He had been troubled with insomnia of late and his wife and sons had been taking turns sitting up with him whiling away the long hours of the night. At an early hour on Wednesday morning he was up talking with his son, George. While sitting on a lounge he fell over, and before his son could reach his side his soul had left the body.

George Edward Pew was born at Omro, Wisconsin, July 4, 1850. He was the son of Francis and Ann Pew. His grandfather, Patrick Pew, came from Ireland and settled in St. Lawrence county, New York, very early in the history of that region. His maternal grandfather, John Haggerty, left Ireland when Fifteen years of age, and subsequently served as a United States soldier in the was of 1812. George was one of a family of eleven. He was educated in the schools at Omro, and when barely twenty years of age went to Blue Earth county, Minnesota, where he engaged in farming. From there he went to Nobles county, in the same state and homesteaded a piece of land adjoining the farm now owned by C. E. Clarke, a former resident of this county. He suffered, in common with many others, the vicissitudes of pioneer life and had is crops wiped out by grasshoppers and was compelled to abandon his claim. In 1875 he was employed to work by H. W. VanSickel, a pioneer of Le Mars, in harvesting operations in Osceola county, and coming to Le Mars for his pay made arrangements with Mr. VanSickel to continue in his employ. In 1877, in conjunction with Levi Larue, Mr. Pew purchased the VanSickel implement and hardware business and continued in business in the same block until his death this week. On the death of Levi Larue, in 1881, Mr. Pew took his brothers, M. A. Pew and Frank Pew, into partnership with him. This firm continued in operation until 1899, when Mr. Pew again controlled the sole interest. In 1907 the present firm was incorporated under the name of the Geo. E. Pew company, and his son, George V. Pew, became associated as a partner.

Mr. Pew was united in marriage with Miss Belle Burrows in Le Mars on November 11, 1878, Rev. Father H. J. Meis officiating at the ceremony. Three children were born to them, George Vincent Pew and Harold Pew of this city, and Mrs. W. B. Blair, of Kenosha, Wis. There are two grandchildren. Besides his wife and children, he also leaves to mourn his death three brothers and three sisters, who are M. A. Pew, of St. Paul; Charles and John Pew, of Mott, N.D.; Mrs. Mary Cornish, of Vernon Center, Minn.; Mrs. C. W. Larue, of Le Mars; Mrs. Emma Riley, of Oshkosh, Wis.

Geo. E. Pew was a public spirited citizen and intimately associated with the upbuilding and progress of the city. He was elected a member of the city council in June, 1881, when the town was incorporated, and continued in the office for three terms. He was again elected a member of the council in 1899, when R. H. Kain was mayor. In early days he also served as a county supervisor. He was interested in a number of public enterprises and was in addition an earnest supporter of clean athletic sports of every kind.

He will be greatly missed in the community where he lived so long, and genuine sorrow is felt by his many friends, who will miss him from his place of business and familiar haunts.

He was widely known in this and adjoining counties. His pleasing personality, engaging manner and ready wit gained him a more than ordinary popularity. He was level headed, possessed hard common sense, and has an unusually keen perception of the humorous. His relation with those in his employ were always most pleasant, as Mr. Sutherland, who has worked for him for thirty-seven years, and others who have been with him for many years, can testify.

Mr. Pew was a charter member of Le Mars Lodge No. 428, Order of Elks, and was past exalted master of the lodge. The funeral services will be help at the home on South Main street this afternoon at 2 o’clock, in charge of the Elks. Rev. E. E. Gilbert will conduct a brief service, and P. Farrell, a life-long friend, will deliver a tribute to the memory of the deceased.