Selig, George, 1860-1940

SELIG, HAAG, GURST, GERST

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/6/2022 at 21:20:45

From the Alton Democrat, December 13, 1940:

Former Sioux County Man Dies At Stuttgart, Ark.

George Selig of Stuttgart, Ark., formerly of Hospers where the Selig family were pioneer settlers, died suddenly at his home Nov. 19th, stricken with a heart attack. He was a brother of Joe Selig of Hospers and uncle of Carl Haag of Alton.

He had been in his usual health, according to a Stuttgart daily, and had attended a funeral in the morning. He was about to do his customary chores about the home late in the afternoon when he complained of feeling ill and expired within a few moments.

George Selig did not come to Arkansas with the pioneer Selig families, but moved here in 1911 and engaged in farming, which occupation he followed until his death. For several years he was road overseer for his district. He was a man who attended strictly to his own business, had no enemies and believed in fair dealing with all mankind.

George Selig was the son of John Adam and Agatha Selig and was born in St. Joseph’s Settlement, Marshall County, Virginia (now West Virginia) May 26, 1860. In the spring of 1872 he moved with the family to Hospers, Sioux County, Iowa. He was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Haag Jan. 27, 1892.

He is survived by his invalid wife, two sons and one daughter, Raymond and Victor and Miss Esther Selig, all of Stuttgart; four brothers, Joseph of Hospers, Iowa, Frank of Campbell, Nebr., J. P. and A. F. of Stuttgart; three sisters, Elizabeth of Seattle, Wash., Mrs. Theresa Howard of Sherburn, Minn., and Sister M. Henrietta, Milwaukee; and by three grandchildren, Charlene, Charles Jimmy and Mary Ann Selig. One son, Ernest Wilbur, preceded him in death at Camp Pike in October, 1918. He was 80 years old at the time of his death.

Funeral services for Mr. Selig were held at Holy Rosary Catholic church at Stuttgart. Nephews served as active pallbearers.

Since leaving Sioux County Mr. Selig has continued to receive The Alton Democrat each week, thus keeping in touch with his former home county. The staff of this paper join with the many friends in extending sympathy to the family of this fine old pioneer.

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RESEARCH NOTES

The same obituary, except for the last paragraph, was also published in the Rock Valley Bee (Dec. 13).

His death certificate (informant R. A. Selig) adds his parents, John Selig and Agatha Gurst, both born in Germany; resident of Stuttgart about 30 years; died Nov. 19, 1940; no cause given, just a note, “No Doctor Eye Wittness”; buried in the Catholic Cemetery, Stuttgart.

His FindaGrave.com page adds the cemetery name, Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery; his wife’s life dates, Elizabeth Haag Selig (1858-1957); one son, Wilbur Ernest Selig (1892-1918); and a photo of the joint headstone of George and Elizabeth.

The Sioux County marriage register for 1891/1892 has groom George Selig, age 32, resident of Hospers, a farmer, born in Marshal Co. West Va., parents T[?] Adam Selig and Agatha Gerst; bride Elizabeth Haag, age 34, resident of Sioux County, born in Richmond, Washington County, Iowa, parents Adam Haag and Philimene Spettle; married at Hospers January 27, 1892.

The 1900 U.S. census for Hospers shows George Selig (40), a thresher, wife Elizabeth (41), and children Wilber (7), Raymond (6), Victor (5), and Esther (1). In 1910 he is still living in Hospers and working as a thresher. In 1920 the family is in Gum Pond Township, Arkansas County, Arkansas, where he has no occupation and his son Victor (24) is a truck driver. In 1930 he is still living in Gum Pond Township with Elizabeth and daughter M. Esther (19), occupation farmer. In 1940 he (79) and Elizabeth (82) are living there with daughter Esther (35) and son Raymond (44), a grader in a rice mill, and next door to Victor Selig (46), a fuel oil company salesman, and his family.