Sharpsburg Herald, 1896 Obituaries
Some 1896 Obituaries
from the
SHARPSBURG AND ETNA HERALD
(spelling errors reproduced as is, surnames capitalized for clarity.)
Janaury 3, 1896--SHARPSBURG AND ETNA HERALD
George BRAWDY, Sr., one of the pioneer citizens of
Sharpsburg, died last evening at 10 o'clock, after a long
illness, aged 79 years. Mr. BRAWDY had resided in
Sharpsburg for over fifty years, and was one of the most
widely known residents of this vicinity. The deceased was a
member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. BRAWDY was also a
member of Zeredatha Lodge F. & A. M. 448, and one of its
charter members. The funeral will take place Sunday
afternoon at 2 o'clock.
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February 14, 1896--SHARPSBURG AND ETNA HERALD
Mr. John GRAU, the Thirteenth street grocer, has the
sympathy of his many friends in the loss of his wife by death,
Sunday last. Mrs. GRAU had been ailing for several weeks with
typhoid fever, and though her condition was critical for a
number of days, it was thought her strong constitution would
tide her over it safely, but this however was not sufficient.
All human efforts were exhausted, medical skill baffled, only
to wait thehand of Providence, who in his alwise judgement
called her home, leaving a sorrowing husband and children to
mourn their loss. The deceased was a member of St. John's
Lutheran church, and an active christian worker. The funeral
service were held Tuesday afternoon in St. John's Lutheran
church, Rev. Schild preaching the funeral sermon. A large
concourse of friends attended as a last respect to the departed.
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February 21, 1896--SHARPSBURG AND ETNA HERALD
Mr. Henry MORITZ, of O'Hara township, died Saturday last,
after a lingering illness. Mr. MORITZ was one of the most
widely known farmers hereabouts and his large circle of friends
were pained to hear of his decease. The funeral took place
Monday from St. John's Lutheran church attended by a large
number of relatives and friends.
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Mrs. J. G. ROLSHOUSE, mother of Mr. J. S. ROLSHOUSE, of Main
street, died at her late residence, Perrysville avenue, Friday
night at the ripe old age of 75 years. The deceased was buried
at Wallers Church Pine Creek, Pa., Tuesday morning.
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Mr. and Mrs. W. H. MEYER have the sympathy of their many
friends in the death of their daughter Edith, who died Thursday
morning after a lingering illness. The little girl was the
admiration of all who knew her and she leaves many friends to
mourn her death. The funeral will take place Saturday from
the residence of her parents Eleventh street, Sharpsburg.
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Mrs. James S. ADAMS, of Pleasant Valley, died Tuesday night.
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Charles Thomas Edward, six weeks old son of Mr. and Mrs.
Charles WILLIAMS, of Fifteenth street, died Wednesday morning.
The funeral took place at 10 o'clock this morning from the
residence of the parents.
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February 28, 1896--SHARPSBURG AND ETNA HERALD
Mr. Adam MILBERT, of Sixth street, died Wednesday morning
after a short illness. The illness did not appear to be of a
serious nature and his sudden death was unexpected. Mr. MILBERT is
an old resident of Sharpsburg having resided in the borough for
many years. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic church where
the funeral servises were held this (Friday) morning. Interment
took place in St. Mary's cemetery, above Sharpsburg.
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March 6, 1896--SHARPSBURG AND ETNA HERALD
Mr. Aloy BOEHM, an old and respect resident of Sharpsburg,
died Tuesday last at his residence on Main street near Sixth,
aged 69 years. Deceased had been in the shoe business for
many years in the borough and was widely known. He was a member
of St. Mary's Catholic church. The funeral took place Thursday
morning from St. Mary's church, and the interment in the cemetery
on the hill.
-------
Mrs. Sarah, wife of George WATT, of North Main street, died
Tuesday morning at one o'clock. The funeral took place Thursday
afternoon at two o'clock from her late residence, attended by a
large concourse of friends.
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March 27, 1896--SHARPSBURG AND ETNA HERALD
Death carried away one of Sharpsburg's oldest as well as
most respected citizens in the person of Mr. Michael McNAMARA,
father of Mr. Patrick McNAMARA, the undertaker, Thursday
morning. Mr. McNAMARA was born in County Cork, Ireland, 1821.
He came to this country in 1842, stopping about one year in
New York, after which he went to Brady's Bend. Here he worked
in a blast furnace for twenty-eight years. In 1868 he removed
to Sharpsburg and for several years was employed in MOORHEAD's
mill then known as LEWIS, BAILEY, DALZELL & CO's. The past
fourteen years he was employed on the railroad, nine years of
which he never lost a day. Five years ago Mr. McNAMARA fell
and broke his hip which laid him up for seven months. Mr.
McNAMARA was widely known and highly esteemed for his honest
and upright disposition which always endeared him to his fellow
workman. The deceased was a member of St. Joseph's church.
The funeral will take place to-morrow (Saturday) morning at
nine o'clock from the above church.
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April 6, 1896--SHARPSBURG AND ETNA HERALD
Mr. Anton REIS, an aged and respected resident of Sharpsburg,
died Saturday morning, at his late residence, corner Clay
street and Powers alley, aged 63 years. Deceased was a member of
St. Mary's church. Funeral took place Tuesday morning from the
above church. A large circle of friends were in attendance.
-------
Angeline L., wife of John C. PORTER secretary and treasurer
of the SPANG Steel and Iron Company, died at her home on
Fleming avenue, Allegheny, Monday.
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Mr. John LANG an aged resident of the upper end of town,
died suddenly Saturday morning last, aged 78 years. Funeral
services were held Monday morning in St. Mary's church and
interment took place in St. Mary's cemetery on the hill.
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April 17, 1896--SHARPSBURG AND ETNA HERALD
John RIHN, a young man, resident of Shaler township, died
Tuesday morning after a short illness of typhoid fever. Deceased
was twenty-two years of age and a young man of examplary habits,
and well liked by all his acquaintances. Funeral took place
Thursday morning from St. Mary's church.
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Mr. George GRAU, an aged resident of Shaler township died
Monday morning, aged seventy-two years. Deceased was burried from
his late residence Wednesday afternoon.
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April 24, 1896--SHARPSBURG AND ETNA HERALD
Miss Jesse M. FORRESTER, of Third street, died Wednesday
afternoon after a lingering illness. The deceased had been a
resident of Aspinwall for several years and had made many friends.
Her kind disposition, pleasing manners and honest christian
character won for the hearts of those with whom she came in contact.
Through the months of her lingering illness she bore up, with a christian
fortitude, ever hopeful to the last. When death came she was ready.
Though her home is darkened by her absense, her sister, who was her
constant companion during her illness, can find peace in the
consolation that she lived as she died, every ready. The funeral was
held in the United Presbyterian church, this afternoon at 3:30 o'clock.
Rev. Vance preached the funeral sermon, in which he spoke of the high
character of the deceased.
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Mother GIVEN is dead. That was the startling message conveyed
sorrowfully from neighbor to neighbor on Easter morning. She had
retired not feeling well, assuring her son that she would be all right
shortly, but Sunday morning there was no response to the knock at
grandmother's door. Her peaceful face showed that the message came
suddenly and that her life went out without a struggle. Among the
earlier homes of Stuart, Mother GIVEN has gone in and out for years
as a kindly, helpful neighbor and friend and dispenser of strength
and hope; these would have felt the pangs of a keener sorrow had
they known that their friend was stricken with a fatal disease and
must suffer for days. Her life's work was done and well done.
The deceased was one of the earliest settlers of our city. She
came in 1871 and established one of our first homes. Her husband,
John W. GIVEN, came here in February, 1870 but died almost on his
arrival. His was the first death among the early settlers of Stuart.
Twenty-six years after, the remains of his wife is lying by his side
in Oak Grove cemetery. Nancy GIVEN was seventy-five years old, having
been born in 1821 at Alexandria, Pa. Her marriage occurred in that
state. There four children were born to the family. Three are now
living: O.E. GIVEN, of our city, Mrs. Alice WILLIAMS, of Des Moines,
and Mrs. Annie M. HERR, of Norwich, Conn. In 1867 the family moved
to Benton county, this state, and came to Stuart as before stated,
in 1871. The deceased has always retained her home in Stuart,
although thelater years of her life were spent in part at the home
of her childhood in Pennsylvania and with her daughters. In early
life she joined the M.E. church and has always remained a consistent
member. Yesterday her remains were placed in front of the altar
before which she had knelt so many times, and her old neighbors and
friends sorrowfully took their last farewell and participated in the
solemn funeral services as a mark of respect to the departed.--Stuart
Locomotive, April 10th, Stuart, Iowa.
Mrs. GIVEN was for years a resident of Sharpsburg, and many of the
old residents will remember her. Her husband was engaged in the drug
business, and Mr. J. J. KEIL, Jr., began his trade with Mr. GIVEN.
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Mrs. Mary KESSLER, an aged and respected resident of O'Hara
township, died Monday morning at the ripe old age of 69 years. The
deceased was widely known. The funeral services were held at Pine
Creek, St. Mary's church, Wednesday morning.
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May 15, 1896--SHARPSBURG AND ETNA HERALD
Mrs. Bertha E. SHAW, wife of W. W.SHAW, Jr., of Eleventh street,
Sharpsburg, died Wednesday evening after a short illness. The
deceased became ill just one week ago to-day and within a few hours
her condition became alarming. Medical attention was given her
immediately but to the contrary she continued to grow worse. Several
physicians were called in for consultation but to no avail, her
illness was fatal and her life hung in the balance for several days,
she passed peacefully away. The death of Mrs. SHAW is especially sad,
she being a bride of but five months. The young woman was pleasant
and amiable in life and during her short residence in the borough had
won many friends. Her death was a sad blow to her husband who was much
devoted to his young wife, and was constantly at her bedside during
her late illness. The deceased was twenty-two years of age. The
funeral was private and took place Friday afternoon at two o'clock.
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June 12, 1896--SHARPSBURG AND ETNA HERALD
Mr. Robert ROACH, one of the pioneer citizens of the borough, died
Sunday morning last, after a short illness. Deceased had resided in
the borough fully half a century. He was aged 54 years. The funeral
took place Tuesday afternoon.
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June 19, 1896--SHARPSBURG AND ETNA HERALD
Mr. John MILLER, an old and much respect resident of Wildwood,
died Friday night last, aged 63 years. Mr. MILLER had resided at
Wildwood for thirty-three years. He was the father of seven children
all of whom are living but the youngest, a son, who died several
years ago. Mr. MILLER's illness was conjestion of the lungs and
heart failure. Mr. W.H. MILLER, councilman of Etna, and Mr. F.E.
MILLER, book-keeper for Mr. George L. WALTER, of Sharpsburg, are
sons of the deceased. The funeral took place Monday morning and
was very largely attended.
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June 26, 1896--SHARPSBURG AND ETNA HERALD
Mr. Albert SEEMANN, a popular young glass blower, of the borough,
died Saturday morning last after a short illness, aged 30 years.
Deceased had lived in Sharpsburg all hig life and had many friends.
He was a member of A.F.G.W.U. which body attended his funeral in a
body. Services were held in St. John's Lutheran church, Eighth street
at 2:30 Monday afternoon.
CARD OF THANKS. To the friends and Local Union No. 87 A.F.G.W.A.,
we wish to convey our heartfelt thanks for their help and sympathy
during the sickness and death of Albert T. SEEMANN. Mr. and Mrs.
Bernhard SEEMANN.
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July 3, 1896--SHARPSBURG AND ETNA HERALD
A well Known and Former Sharpsburger Dead.
John F. SCHMITT, proprietor of the SCHMITT House, Homestead, and
one of the most prominent citizens of that borough, died Wednesday
of dropsy. He was born in Baldwin township, and married Miss Kate LUTZ,
of Sharpsburg. He conducted a hotel in Sharpsburg eight years, and
operated the Homestead hotel for two years. In 1889 he went into the
jewelry business and became famous through the robbing of his store by
FITZSIMMONS, who killed Detective D. H. GILKINSON. He lost $2,500 by
the robbery. In 1890 he built the Amity Hotel, bu the went into the
hands of a receiver because of his stand in the Homestead strike. He
was a brother of Postmaster Charles SCHMITT, of Homestead, and leaves
a wife and six children. Funeral took place this morning from St. Mary
Magdalene church. Requiem mass was observed.
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July 10, 1896--SHARPSBURG AND ETNA HERALD
Miss Annie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Constantine JORDAN, of 1305
Main street, died Monday morning after two days illness, of typhoid
fever. Deceased had enjoyed the best of health until this dread
disease had overtaken her, when, notwithstanding prompt and skillful
medical attention and careful nursing of kind and loving friends, she
passed peacefully away. Miss JORDAN was in her 26th year. She was a
member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, where the funeral services
were held Wednesday morning. Interment took place in St. Mary's cemetery.
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July 24, 1896--SHARPSBURG AND ETNA HERALD
Mrs. Mary J., wife of Dr. John L. MAHAFFY, died, Monday evening,
at 10:30 o'clock, after a lingering illness. Deceased had lived in
Harmarville for many years, but very recently moved to Sharpsburg.
Mrs. MAHAFFY was 48 years of age.
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Margaret E. DONLEY, wife of John KANE, died Thursday afternoon
in the Forty-fourth year of her age. Deceased will be burried from
her mothers residence No. 30 Tenth street, Saturday morning. Services
at St. Joseph's church, at nine o'clock a.m.
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Mr. Edward F. HAINE of Avalon, Pa., died Thursday morning, at his
late residence. Deceased was a brother of the late G. F. HAINE who was
a former owner of NEWLON's drug store. Mr. Edward HAINE's remains were
taken to Harmony for interment.
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