Gehlen, Theodore, 1846-1904

GEHLEN, LIST

Posted By: Lydia Lucas-Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/14/2011 at 12:17:06

THEODORE GEHLEN

The following regarding the death of Theo Gehlen who was an Alton citizen twenty years is taken from the Stayton Oregon Mail: "The sad and shocking news was received in Stayton Tuesday morning by telephone, that Theodore Gehlen had been discovered dead in the Rheinfelz hotel in Portland. Mr. Gehlen in company with John Spaniol went to the city on business Monday and stopping at the Rheinfelz--the hotel usually patronized by Mr. Gehlen when in the city--retired for the night both occupying the same bed. At about five o'clock Tuesday morning Mr. Spaniol arose and supposing Mr. Gehlen asleep went to call him and discovered that he was sleeping his last sleep. Mr. Spaniol at once notified Rev. Father Sorosky who was in the city and sent the sad news to the family here. The proper authorities were also notified and the body was moved to one of the undertaking establishments of the city. As soon as possible after the news of his death was received here his son Charles left for Portland. Mr. Spaniol remained there and the body was brought to Stayton yesterday afternoon. The cause of death was heart trouble from which Mr. Gehlen had been suffering but a few months. During the last couple of months he has had several attacks caused by disordered circulation of the blood but apparently he had no thought that the end was so near. The funeral will be held at the Catholic church in Sublimity Sunday at two p.m. A daughter and her husband Mr. and Mrs. Eulberg are expected to arrive Saturday.

Theodore Gehlen was born in Olm Luxembourg October 1846, coming to America in November 1863. He was married in 1870 to Miss Abbie List at Galena, Illinois. From there they moved to Iowa and took up a homestead where they resided until March 1892 when they came to Oregon and have since made Stayton their home.

Besides his wife Mr. Gehlen leaves ten children to mourn his death. They are Mrs. Mary Eulberg of Sioux City, Mrs. Lena Minten of Alton and Nic, Charles, George, John, Frank, Abbie, Bennie and Theodore all residents of Stayton.

Mr. Gehlen has for a number of years been in the mercantile business in Stayton and was one of the town's most popular and enterprising business men. He was honest and straightforward in all his dealings and had the respect and confidence of the people of the town and surrounding country. He was generous and charitable and always willing to accommodate a patron and many persons are indebted to him for help through a time of close finances. Being strictly honest himself he hated dishonesty in others and the impress of his character is shown in his sons, the enterprising and straightforward young men who have so unexpectedly been left in charge of a large business without the guiding hand of their father at the helm. That they will do their part to leave as clean a business record behind them as did their departed father no one doubts.

Theo. Gehlen was a kind husband and father loved and respected by his entire family and his sudden taking away is a shock that is hard to bear and it will be long before they can accustom themselves to his absence from among them. He will be greatly missed in the business circles of town as he was always ready to help any worthy enterprise and it will be a long time before his influence in the business interests of the town are forgotten. A good and worthy man has gone from among us and from his family and for the grief stricken ones the word of sympathy is heard on every hand. May their trust in Him "who doeth all things well" strengthen them in their sorrow and rest and peace be with the departed one."

Source: Alton Democrat, April 9, 1904.