Frederick W. Greef 1860-1896

GREEF, BROWN

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 3/26/2003 at 13:38:05

In Memoriam.

Frederick W. Greef, son of Mrs. R. Greef of this city, was born in Bentonsport, Iowa, December 4th, 1860, and died in Pittsburg Kansas, September 12th, 1896, aged 35 years, nine months and 8 days.

Mr. Frederick W. Greef, the subject of this sketch was born in Bentonsport, Iowa, where he received his education and thoroughly trained in the business of merchant and banker, and was married to Miss Hattie R. Brown of the same place September 16th, 1885. Four children were born of this union, three girls and one boy, [the words girls and boy crossed out and replaced with three boys and one girl] , who with the wife are left to mourn the loss. Mr. Greef or “Fred” as he was familiarly called at his Iowa home, had hosts of friends not only on account of his business qualifications but especially for his social qualities. Where he could accommodate or relieve distress by his oft repeated acts of charity he always deemed it a pleasure. His aim in life was to live by “The Golden Rule.” To do good to all and injustice to none was his inexorable law. With charity to all and malice towards none, and strict attention to business principles, he had unbounded confidence of the entire community in which he lived. During his short stay in Pittsburg he has made the acquaintance of many warm and personal friends among the most influential citizens who show their appreciation and friendship by kindly acts of warm sympathy to the bereaved family and relatives. Mr. Greef will be greatly missed by all. There will be an empty chair and an empty voice gone from the household, that nothing but time, the great healer of all sorrow will efface. Mr. Greef belonged to no church organization but his life was made up and controlled by Christian acts and charitable deeds. The poor or his acquaintances invariably say “Fred was always good to me.”

The bereaved wife and family have the sympathy of this entire community. Those from abroad who attended the funeral on Monday September 14th were Mr. and Mrs. N.G. Brown, parents of Mrs. Greef, of Bentonsport, Iowa; C.E. Greef, brother of the deceased, of Eldora, Iowa, and Mr. W. Esgen, of Oskaloosa, Iowa.

Rev. J.W. Wright, of Waverly, Kansas, formerly of Iowa, officiating, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Ewart, of this city. The funeral services were held at his residence on the corner of Rose avenue and Olive streets, this afternoon at 2 o’clock, where a large concourse of people met to pay the last and sad tribute to a departed friend.

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