The Davis City Advance, Davis City, Iowa
Thursday, December 7, l899

GEORGE BUCHANAN KESHLEAR was born at Pink Hill, Jackson Co., Mo., June 20th, l856, and died at his home in Pleasanton, Iowa, Dec. lst, l899, aged 43 years, 5 months and 11 days. The deceased leaves a wife, one daughter and two sons at the home in Pleasanton, Iowa. His aged mother, SARAH B. KESHLEAR, born at Mt. Sterling, Kentucky in l8l6, survives him, and at the age of 83 years is now living with her eldest son, W.G. KESHLEAR in Kansas City, Mo. Another brother, JOSEPH B. KESHLEAR, also lives in Kansas City. A sister, MRS. M.A. BLACKBURN, lives in Jackson Co., Mo. His brother, JAMES C. KESHLEAR, who for 14 years has lived in Davis City, completes the list of surviving relatives who, with his many friends and acquaintances, are called to mourn his loss. His father died when deceased was but 2 years of age. He was educated in the common schools of Jackson County and in the High School of Independence, Mo., from which he graduated at the age of l6 years.

At the age of l7 years, in the year l873, he came to Decatur County and entered the store of Davis & Bowman at Davis City as a clerk. Uncle Billy Davis had met BUCK, as he has always been called, at the home of his mother, who at that time lived on a farm in Jackson Co., Mo. Being attracted by the bright appearance of the boy, Uncle Billy persuaded his mother to allow him to bring BUCK home with him and place him in his store. BUCK lost a good friend in the death of Uncle Billy Davis about a year later. The business firm changed to Bowman & Warnock and our deceased friend worked for them, being the leading salesman as long as the firm remained in business. Subsequently MR. KESHLEAR entered business for himself forming a partnership with Uncle Billy Bowman. Under the firm name of Bowman & Keshlear they did a prosperous business for many years. After Mr. Bowman retired from business, MR. KESHLEAR continued the business alone for a number of years. Starting as a clerk at the age of l7, he had in a period of about l5 years, by his industry and business ability, become the proprietor of a prosperous mercantile business.

In l896 he sold his business in Davis City and in l897 removed to Des Moines engaging in the Drug business. This he continued for something over a year when he sold out and returned to Decatur co. In the early part of the present year he entered the hardware and grocery business at Pleasanton, in which he was engaged at the time of his death. As a business man he had a host of friends and patrons whom he had won by his genial manner, kind treatment and honest and upright dealing.

R. KESHLEAR was a public spirited man, always taking an active part in everything calculated to build up the town and community. He served for a number of years on the school board of Davis City. He was an efficient member of that body and discharged every duty faithfully. In all the work incidental to getting up reunions and celebrations, a feature that has always been conspicuous in the past history of Davis City, MR. KESHLEAR could always be relied on to do his part.

The deceased was a great admirer and lover of the institution and teaching of Free Masonry. In l889 he became a member of Remembrance Lodge No. 375 A.F. & A.M. at Davis City and was a member still at the time of his death. He served several years as Master of the Lodge.

In l885 he became a member of Leon Chapter No. 33 Royal Arch Masons at Leon, Iowa, and in l890 he was made a Knight Templar entering Constantine Commandry No. 23 at Osceola, Iowa, the highest body in York Masonry. (*Part of sentence missing) accompanied the remains from Pleasanton to the church at this place. The funeral procession was met a short distance from the church by the Masonic Fraternity formed in grand procession. The Fraternity took charge of the remains. The pall bearers were Carter Scott, T.A. Sutherlin, J.R. Smith, J.E. Leeper, D.F. Sneethen and Walter Graham. The church was crowded to its utmost capacity.

The funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. Geo. E. Mitchell, former Pastor of the M.E. Church at this place, of which church the deceased was a member. Some beautiful and touching anthems were sung by the Choir. The opening one was "Sleep Thy Last Sleep." After prayer, was sung, "Silently Bury the Dead." After the sermon the closing anthem, "Memory", was rendered in a very excellent and effective manner. The Masonic Fraternity took charge of the further exercises and the beautiful Masonic burial service, conducted by Dr. J.B. Horner, Master of the Lodge at this place, was recited.

There were present at the funeral his aged mother in care of W.G. KESHLEAR, eldest brother of the deceased, and JOSEPH B. KESHLEAR and wife, all of Kansas City. "Cozie" the l6-year-old daughter of deceased, who had been living with her uncle "Whig" and attending school for the past year in Kansas city, came with her uncle and grandmother. Numerous friends of the bereaved widow were present, among whom were Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Ross, of Grant city, Mo., Mr. and Mrs. Workman and many others from Lineville and vicinity. In the ranks of the Masonic procession were members from sister lodges. The Lodges of Decatur, Leon, Pleasanton, Garden Grove and Osceola had representatives in the procession. From the latter place there were present a number of Sir Knights. From the church the procession slowly wended its way to the cemetery, escorted by the Davis City Cornet Band, where the interment took place in accordance with Masonic usage.

The last honors having been paid, the mortal remains of GEORGE B. KESHLEAR, who as a living friend and brother had for more than a quarter of a century, been a conspicuous figure in our midst, were laid to rest, there to await the last triumph. Kind, noble-minded, generous hearted we shall long miss him.

May He who tempers the wind to the shorn lamb, temper and lighten with his loving care the burden of grief that has so suddenly fallen on the bereaved widow and orphans.

Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
October 7, 2003