Peter Lohr

DEATH OF A PIONEER

After a Week's Illiness of Pneumonia, Peter Lohr Quietly Passes to the Great Beyond

Peter Lohr was born in Blankenheim, Hesse Cassel, Germany, May 3, 1830, and died in Osage, Iowa, at two clock Monday morning, April 21, 1902, making him lacking but twelve days of being 72 years of age.

In his boyhood he was apprenticed to learn the trade of cabinet making in his native German home. In 1851, he came to America, locating at Cleveland Ohio. He was married in Cleveland in 1853, to Miss A. E. Apel and six children came to bless their home: Wm. F., George C., Charles H., Amelia C., Frank S., and Fred W. All of these children are still living and were present at the funeral.

He came to Osage in 1856 and established the town's first furniture store, beginning in a small way, customary in those pioneer days. He manufactured much of the stock he sold, and by honest methods and careful business management, built with the growth of the town and the development of the country, a large business and an honorable place for himself with the people. He has ever been a respected citizen, active and liberal in all that pertained to the city's best interests. For some years he has not engaged in active business, but the business has been carried on by his son Frank.

Mr. and Mrs. Lohr were both active members of the German Reformed church in early life and of late years have held membership in the German Presbyterian, church of Osage. They contributed liberally to its building and support, and have ever been conscientious and earnest workers in all Christian lines. In his younger and more active life, Mr. Lohr also took a keen interest in politics and good government in national, state and local affairs. He was a republican and cast his first vote for Fremont. He has served as a member of our city council and school board, always discharging public duties with the same fidelity that he gave to his private affairs.

About a week before his death he was taken with pneumonia, from which he died. The funeral services were held at the Congregational church of Osage on this Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock, conducted by Rev. George Krammer, pastor of the German Presbyterian church, assisted by Rev. B. C. Preston of the Congregational church, and Rev. D. I. Coon of the Baptist chuch. His five sons and a nephew, Peter C. Lohr, acted as pall-bearers. A large number of friends, neighbors and citzens gathered to pay their last respects to this good man and to sympathize with the sorrowing family.

The relatives who were present from away were: George and Charles Lohr, from Estelline, South Dakota, Fred and William Lohr from Sioux City; his two brothers, Wm. J. Lohr of Muscatine, and Conrad Lohr of Nora Springs.

Mitchell County Press April 23, 1902