John R. Shuler 1834-1900

SHULER, WILLIAMS

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 11/30/2001 at 19:16:50

JOHN R. SHULER
Passes Into Eternity After a
Painful Illness
HERE NEARLY THIRTY YEARS
And Was Held in Very High Estimation
on Account of His Manly
Qualities and Honor.

John R. Shuler died yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock at his hime, [sic] 804 Grand avenue, aged sixty-five years, seven months and ten days.

His death was not unexpected, but the loss is felt deeply by the entire city. Mr. Shuler was so popular a man that no warning could compensate the loss to the city of Keokuk. He was attacked by a cancer in the arm some time ago, and suffered greatly before he succumbed. The tumor was removed but returned and finally his arm was amputated in an effort to get ahead of the disease. This also proved unsuccessful, and although everything known to science that promised any hope at all was used, the disease kept on and finally sapped out his entire vitality.

He had been in business here twenty-nine years and none stood higher than he in the estimation of the business men and people of Keokuk. He was noted for his strict integrity in all his dealings and built up a large trade in guns and sportsman's supplies. His geniality and thorough good nature endeared him to the sportsman who patronized him largely, so that he amassed considerable money in business. Of later years he has not been working so hard as previously, but retained much of his customers and all of his many friends.

HIS LIFE

He was born in Northampton county, Penn., September 20, 1834. Two years later his father emigrated to Northumberland county and he remained there until he was eighteen, and then he decided to shift for himself. He left home with $3.25 in his pocket and arrived in Harrisburg, Penn., without a cent. He worked his way from there to Newark, N.J., where he secured work with Watts, Campbell and Co., machinists. He served his time as a machinist with them and then went to work for the Huntington Machine company. A few years later he became foreman of the entire Huntington machine works which position he held for sixteen years.

In 1871 he came west to look for a suitable place to start in the gun business and after visiting several places he chose Keokuk and then returned east. The following year he came back and commenced business in this city.

He was married in 1858 to Julia A. Williams, and three children were born to them, all of whom are now dead, Clara, Annie and Fred. His living brothers and sisters are David Shuler of Fort Madison, George, Alfred, James and Emma Shuler of Milton, Penn.

Mrs. Shuler has the sympathy of the entire city, Her sister at Newark, N. J., is lying at the point of death, telegrams from there state.

[connection with Van Buren county not apparent but will assume there is a connection since it was included in the Entler Scrapbook collection]

[hand written on article was "Ap 30 1900]

Source: Entler Scrapbook, vol. 4, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA

I am NOT related and am posting this obit for those who may find this person in their family history.