Gruwell, Dr. Charles Burleigh 1843-1927

GRUWELL, PENROSE

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 11/13/2010 at 10:31:06

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; Dec. 23, 1927

DR. GRUWELL BURIED HERE

Funeral Services Were Held Here Wednesday--Interment In Hazelwood

DR. GRUWELL IDENTIFIED WITH GRINNELL'S EARLY DAYS

Was Oldest Living Alumnus of University of Michigan At Time Of Death

Dr. Charles B. Gruwell, former resident of this city died early Sunday morning at the home of his son, J.P. Gruwell, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. The body was brought to Grinnell Wednesday morning accompanied by his son, J.P. Gruwell and his grandson, J.P. Gruwell, Jr. From the Wisconsin Rapids Tribune we quote:

"Charles Burleigh Gruwell was born in Damascus, Ohio, July 16, 1843, the son of John P. and Sarah Gruwell, being 84 years, four months and one day old at the date of his death. He was educated at Westtown Boarding school and at the University of Michigan, of which at the time of his death, he was the oldest living alumnus.

During the latter part of the civil war he was commissioned to the medical department of the Union army. In 1869 he went to Iowa, settling at Oskaloosa. On June 24, 1873, he was married at Salem, Ohio, to Rhoda Alma Penrose, and shortly thereafter moved to Grinnell, Iowa, where both his children, John P. and Thomas P., were born. In 1893 he was elected county clerk of Poweshiek county, Iowa, and served in that capacity for two terms. He was, from birth, a member of the Friends church and for many years was actively connected with the Oskaloosa and Montezuma lodges of the A.F. and A.M. In 1913 he removed with his son, J.P. Gruwell, to Monroe, Wis., and in October 1917 came with the family to this city where he has since made his home."

Dr. Gruwell was a long time resident of this city. Quiet, modest, generous, he was loved by all who knew him and the family home was one of the really attractive homes in this city. He was at first connnected with J.G. Johnson in the drug business on Broad Street and afterwards conducted a drug store, part of the time by himself and part of the time with Dr. G.B. McGuin in the building on the ground where the Mathews Drug store now stands. At the solicitation of many friends he became a candidate for county clerk in 1893 and served four years in that capacity.

For many years Dr. Gruwell had made his home with his son, J.P. Gruwell. Quiet and unassuming, he was yet ever active, a man of fine intellect and of most delightful character. His wife was one of the really attractive women of the city and both were active in church and social work. Two children, J.P. and Tom both graduated from Grinnell College. J.P. took up newspaper work and Tom is now a teacher in one of the Minneapois high schools.

A few friends gathered at Snyder's parlors to do homage to the life of a man of unblemished character, a man who never made an enemy but whose influence was ever felt by all who came within the circle in which he lived. More active and aggressive men than Dr. Gruwell have lived, but none who made friends better and enjoyed companionship more than he.