Greer, Robert F. 1839 – 1898

GREER, KENNEDY, STRINGER, CURTIS, DALMADGE, ORE

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:45

Source: Decorah Republican May 19, 1898 P 1 C 4

ROBERT F. GREER.
The Tragic Death of one of our best Citizens and Business Men.
Robert P. Greer, one of Decorah’s oldest and best known residents and business men, met death in a most shocking and terrible manner, last Friday evening between the hours of five and six o’clock.
In the absence of one or his men he had been delivering freight and had completed loading his dray, driving around to the east end of the Milwaukee freight depot, when he discovered that he had forgotten his skid, which he had placed on top of a car. He went back for it and was near the dray when the team became frightened and started to run. He ran to their heads, grabbed one of them and swung around in front to catch the other. There he clung for a moment, but the harness broke and he was knocked to the ground and trampled upon, receiving injuries from which he died inside of ten minutes.
Several people saw the accident and hastened to Mr. Greer’s assistance. He was placed on his feet but being unable to go home said he would rest a little before trying it. A mattress and bedding were brought from Thos. Graham’s house and Mr. Greer placed on them and carried home. A doctor was summoned but before he could arrive life had passed away.
Internal injuries to the abdomen were undoubtedly the cause of death, though there were other serious bruises.
Mr. Greer was born at Sherrington, Canada East, about a dozen miles from Montreal, March 22d, 1839, where he remained with his parents until he was nearly of age. About 1858 he came to Decorah and engaged with his brother, John Greer, and H. R. Thomas, who were then in partnership, as teamster between Decorah and McGregor. When the war broke out he enlisted in Co. D, 6th Iowa Cavalry, under Capt. T. W. W. Burdick, and served three years. Returning to Decorah at the close of the war he engaged in farming, three years on Washington Prairie and a little more than a year near Emmetsburg. After that he settled permanently in Decorah, engaging in the dray and 'bus business. During a part of this time he was connected with “Bob." Jamison, John Protheroe and Fred Thomas, but for the most part conducted the business alone.
In the winter of 1870 Mr. Greer was married to Miss Margaret Kennedy, who survives him. They had no children. He was a member of a large family of brothers and sisters, nine of whom survive him. They are John Greer, of this city, David, of Palo Alto Co., William, residing in British Columbia, Donaldson, of Sandy Hill, N. Y., Mrs. James Stringer, Decorah, Mrs. Margaret Miller, of Clear Lake, Mrs. Charlotte Curtis, Mooer’s Junction, N. Y., Mrs. Mary Dalmadge and Mrs. Ore, residing in Canada.
Mr. Greer was a member of the Congregational church, entering it by profession of faith in 1879, and a charter member of Col. Hughes Post, G. A,.R. As such he served as officer of the guard from the time of the organization of the Post until 1895. He then was promoted to the office of junior vice commander in which he served during 1896 and 1897. At the time of his death he was filling the office of senior vice commander, and during his long service none were more interested in the welfare of the Post nor more faithful in the discharge of duties.
He was a charter member of Star Hose Co. No. 2, at the re-organization of the fire department, and served it in official capacities.
The funeral services were hold Sunday afternoon at the Congregational church, Rev. M. Willett officiating, and were conducted after the rites of the G. A. R. Many members of the Post were in attendance as was also the fire department. It was the largest funeral that has been held in Decorah in many years.
As a good citizen, acting the true man in all the relations he enjoyed, his tragic death is to be deplored. The sympathy of the community goes out to the widow and other relatives in their bereavement.

Phelps Cemetery
 

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