Frederick Gurius

GURIUS, BANDEROB, SMOLA

Posted By: Marie Salisbury (email)
Date: 10/17/2023 at 15:51:24

Maquoketa, Iowa Tuesday 13 March 1928

LAST RITES OF FRED GURIUS HELD MONDAY AFTERNOON

Funeral services for Fred Gurius, who died at his home on West Platt street last Thursday morning, were held in the Congregational church on Monday afternoon of this week at 2 o'clock. The full seating capacity of the church was required to accommodate the many who attended. The floral tributes were many and of unusual beauty. All the orders of which Mr. Gurius was a long time and highly honored member were represented by large companies of their membership. The pall bearers chosen to represent his lodge and civic relations were Robert Grapengeter, master of the Masonic lodge; Peter Fuglsang, Noble Grand of the Odd Fellows; Frank Reiter, presiding officer of the Encampment, and Albert Scholl of the Modern Woodmen; Earl Boyer, commander of the American Legion and Frank Kock for the court house officials. The service was in charge of the pastor, Rev. A. W. Sinden, and Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Stack sang three favorite hymns of the deceased.

Frederick Gurius was born in Preetz, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany March 29, 1840. He came, with his father's family, to America when he was a youth of sixteen. They made their home in Moline, Ill., and here on April 15, 1863, Mr. Gurius was married to Miss Anna Banderob. They made their home in Wheatland, Ia., for several years. But in the spring of 1872, they came to Maquoketa. That was fifty-six years ago. And, continuously from that time, he was a resident of our town.

To them were ten children were born, five sons and five daughters. Of these three sons and three daughters are still living, and all of them were present at the funeral service. They are Mrs. John Galloway of Elwood, Ia., George of Bellevue, Fred of Mitchell, S. D., Edward and Mrs. Wayne McPeak of Maquoketa and Mrs. Aylmer Cole of Minneapolis, Minn. There are also twenty grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Gurius passed away August 19, 1890. Three years later Mr. Gurius was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Smola, who survives him.

Mr. Gurius was a man of great vitality and temperate habits of living. He scarely knew illness and was actively engaged in some pursuit that kept him in association with the busy life of the community, almost to the end of his many years. he was ill but two days at the last. Death came to him at 1:15 o'clock Thursday morning.

This is not the place for eulogies. That is the best commendation, which relies most upon the common memory and takes for granted the appreciation of fellow men. Let only enough be written for memories prompting.

Two days after Fort sumpter was fired on, Abraham Lincoln called for seventy-five thousand men to put down the rebellion. They were to enlist for three months. Fifteen days after the call was made, Fred Gurius had enlisted in Company I, 2nd Regt. Inf. Vol., at the St. Louis arsenal. The war was harder and longer than expected. At the close of his three months he sought to re-enlist, but because of injuries which he had received, he was rejected. His heart was ever patriotic. He was one of the most active members of the local A.W. Drips Post, G.A.R., and was several times post commander. At the time of his death he was its adjutant.

For a number of years Mr. Gurius was engaged in the meat business here in Maquoketa. Retiring from this in 1889, he became chief deputy sheriff, and was rechosen under following administrations for twenty years. Then the office of court bailiff was offered him. This he held until three years ago. He was elected for several terms on the city council, and during his time here some of the most important public improvements were made.

He was perhaps the most widely known man in the community thru his relations with the fraternal orders of which he was a member. In all the orders where he held membership, he was the chief presiding officer for several terms. Among the Odd fellows he was also secretary for sixteen years, the first Noble Grand of the Rebekahs and scribe of the Encampment for thirty-five years. Among Masons in addition to being Past Master, he was secretary for 28 years and was also a member of the Eastern Star. In the fraternity of Modern Woodmen he was made their clerk for sixteen times.

In religion he was confirmed in the Lutheran church in the fatherland. But above all he was a lover of his home, his family and his friends.

At the close of the services at the church, the body was borne between rows of flags at the curb, draped to half-mast, and was laid to rest in Mt. Hope cemetery.