Pech, Gustavus "Gus" 1851-1900

PECH, WILLSTUMPF, DETLOFF, DUSCHINSKE

Posted By: Ardythe Rees Stoesz (email)
Date: 8/7/2007 at 12:18:02

From the LeMars Sentinel, Monday, January 8, 1900, Page 4, Column 3:

Death of Mr. Pech.

Gustavus Pech died on Saturday evening at his residence on Clark street after an illness lasting several months. Up to last summer Mr. Pech was a particularly hale, strong and rugged man, but the insidious work of disease in a few short months pulled him down until he was only a shadow of his former self.

The deceased was a native of Germany and was born in 1851. In 1871 he came to the United States and shortly afterwards settled at Bloomington, Ill., where he lived some years. Subsequent to that he came to Iowa, locating at Storm Lake. About ten years ago he came to LeMars and established himself in business and has since operated the LeMars Foundry and and Iron works.

He was married at Storm Lake in August 1878 to Miss Mary Willstumpf, who survives him with nine children, seven girls and two boys. They lost one boy some years ago. His brother, Ferdinand Pech, and his sister, Mrs. Henry Detloff, live north of town. His nephew, Will Pech, assisted him in his business and resided with him. Miss Dora Pech, the eldest daughter, is employed in the Iowa Telephone company's office. Another sister of the deceased, Mrs. Duschinske, lives at Storm Lake and a brother, Robert Pech, at Atlanta, Ill.

The funeral was held this afternoon from the Presbyterian church and was largely attended.

Mr. Pech combined in his personality many virtues. He was a big, strong, hearty man physically and his mental attributes were on a par. He was big hearted, generous and of a bluff, good-natured disposition. A devoted husband and loving father and loyal friend. He was ambitious and hard working and possessed a great mechanical skill and ingenuity and was the author of several inventions for labor saving in the working and manufacturing of iron. Mr. Pech was public-spirited, ready with his voice and purse to aid any enterprise for the good of the community in which he lived and enjoyed a great popularity among a large circle of friends.