John Boesch
Born: April 4th, 1839
Died: April 15th, 1901
Obituary
John Boesch, one of the oldest businessmen in Burlington in length of active operations, died yesterday afternoon at 4:30 at home, No. 814 North Fourth Street. Mr. Boesch had been ill only since Thursday morning when he was forced to return home from his store. It was not thought by the members of his family that his condition was extremely serious but he continued to grow worse and yesterday afternoon began to fail rapidly. Mr. Boesch had been afflicted with pneumonia and grip that weakened the action of the heart. His end was quiet and peaceful.
There was no better-known man in Burlington and Des Moines county than John Boesch, where he had lived since 1846. His sudden death has caused deep and intense sorrow in the community. In his business life John Boesch stood for the highest type of business integrity, and to use an old phrase, “his word was as good as his bond.” He was an earnest member of the German ME church and throughout his life, his quiet deeds of charity were typical of his Christian spirit.
John Boesch was born April 14, 1839, in Hoellhorst, Prussia, and came to America with his parents in 1846. His boyhood days were passed on the farm in Flint River township and at the age of twenty-one he entered the employ of JS Schramm in Burlington, who conducted a general merchandise store. Mr. Boesch remained in the employ of this firm for sixteen years and in 1876 entered into partnership with his brother, CF Boesch, in the dry goods business. This business arrangement continued for five years. In February 1884, Mr. Boesch started his present business which has grown to large proportions.
Mr. Boesch was married on September 19, 1865, to Miss Anna M Deichert. This union was blessed with four children: George C, Clara M, Frank L, and Anna Marie. Mrs. Boesch died in November 1872. Mr. Boesch was married the second time, on May 16, 1878, to Miss Sarah Buhrmaster. Mr. Boesch is also survived by one sister, Mrs. Henry Hischmeier, and two brothers, Henry and CF Boesch, of this city.
Mr. Boesch was an honored member of Red Cross Lodge No. 242, AOUW. The funeral will be held on Thursday afternoon at the First German ME church, corner of Washington and Seventh, at 2 o’clock. Friends are invited to attend.