Julius Greef 1836-1912

GREFF, KLINE

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 3/26/2003 at 12:45:13

Julius Greef is Dead.

Until 1895, at which time he moved form Bentonsport, Iowa to Pittsburg, Kansas, few men in Van Buren county were better known of more highly esteemed than Julius Greef who died Tuesday, March 19, 1912, at his home in the city in Kansas, named above, his age being 75 years, 4 months and 7 days. As far back in the history of Van Buren county as the residence of the writer of this extends, we knew of the Greef Bros. as in business at Bentonsport where they conducted a big general store and part of the time conducted a bank along with it. The brothers were Herman and Julius Greef, the last named being the younger of the two. Herman died in Bentonsport and was buried there, as were other members of the family, but the bodies were later disinterred and taken to Edlora, Iowa, and buried, where some of the relatives had located, and to that place the body of Julius was taken Wednesday and buried Thursday. Julius Greef was born in St. Louis, Mo., Sept. 12, 1836, and came to Bentonsport in 1855 where he commenced clerking for his brother Herman, afterwards becoming a partner. March 6, 1862, in Mt. Pleasant, he married Miss Kate Kline, of Bentonsport. She died June 26, 1895, at Pittsburg, Kansas, two months after they located there. One child, a girl was born to them, but it lived only a few months. Julius Greef was of noble manhood, and he will be mourned by all his acquaintances. In speaking of his death, among other things his home paper, the Pittsburg, Kansas, Headlight, says:

“After many years of service to this active business life in Iowa, he moved to Pittsburg during the year 1895, having retired from active work, to enjoy the fruits of his labor in his declining years. In all of the relationships of a husband, of a parent, of a neighbor and of a citizen, the same high standard that marked his business career, animated his actions, and brought the supreme satisfaction of a large circle of intimate friends. His example is one of the richest heritages that can be left to the relatives and friends who mourn his death. A life long member of the Masonic orders, he joined Mont Joie Commandry No. 29, and was also a member of Pittsburg Lodge No 412, B.P.O. Elks. The funeral services will be held at the residence on Wednesday at 10 o’clock a.m. After a short service by Rev. Gibson, the Knights Templar being in attendance, the remains will be escorted to the Frisco depot, to be taken to Eldora, Iowa, for interment in the family burial grounds at that place.

[hand written at bottom of article is 2/6/1903

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