Herman F. Greef 1827-1876

GREEF

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 3/26/2003 at 12:22:33

[hand written at top of obit is “1876”]

The Late Herman F. Greef.

As has been briefly announced, Herman F. Greef, the merchant and banker, departed this life of Wednesday morning, Dec. 6th, of consumption, after a lingering illness of two years or more.

The number? of the DEMOCRAT of the 29th of April last, contained quite an elaborate sketch of the life of the deceased, which is so fresh in the minds of its readers, that we need only recapitulate it here. He was born in Rhinish Purssia [sic], Germany, November 2, 1827, and was at the time of his death in the 50th year of his age. He came to the United States with his parents in 1833, settling in Missouri, about 35 miles west of St. Louis. At the age of 14, he entered the brush factory and wholesale notion house of F. Dings & Co., of St. Louis, where he remained until the early part of 1851, when having married in the September previous he started out to find a location where, with his limited capital, he could establish a business and find a home. He visited several points in Iowa during his trip, but finally decided to locate in Bentonsport, where he spent the remainder of his life.

Mr. Greef is universally conceded, we believe, to have been the best business man in this section. Others there be perhaps who by speculation and business combined have made more money. But for thoroughness in details, strict observance of the well grounded rules of business, promptness – the qualities that go to form a perfect business man, he had no equal.

Personally he was one of the noblest of men. He was genial, liberal, public spirited. A man of broad general information, clear ideas and a happy faculty of expression, his society was much sought after and always instructive. He accumulated a large fortune, estimated at $100,000, yet there is no man that can say that he ever wronged him to the extent of a farthing. On the contrary, there are scores of persons who owe all they have to his assistance and encouragement.

He was a member of the Universalist church and a member of Bentonsport lodge No. 47, A.F. and A.M., and of Lafayette chapter No. 61, Royal Arch Masons. At his request, his burial was conducted by the Masonic fraternity. A good and true and useful husband, father, brother, friend and citizen is gone. Let him rest in peace.

[This obit furnished courtesy of the Redheads and the Hansons, previous and current owners of the Mason House Inn of Bentonsport]