When Mr. Frederick Grassmeyer lapsed peacefully away, last Friday morning, the city lost a citizen who had entered business here earlier than any other person now residing in the own. Mr. Grassmeyer died after a few days acute illness, at the age of 82 years 2 months and 1 day. He was born in Gadebusch, Mecklenburg, Germany, March 21, 1826. He learned the trade of a tinner in his native land and came to America in 1850, reaching here after a six weeks' voyage on a sailing vessel. he first lived at Elizabethtown, New Jersey, where he met Miss Paulina Lorentzen, to whom he was married April 6, 1851. After a short residence at Utica, New York Mr. and Mrs. Grassmeyer came west, first settling at Davenport, in 1854, The cholera was prevalent at that place, and because of their dread of it they went to Canton, Jackson county. They lived there three years, and at Baldwin two years. In 1859, they came to Monticello, then a hamlet with only a few houses. Mr. Grasssmeyer opened a shop for the prosecution of his trade, and gradually extended his business until he became the owner of a good hardware store. He retired from business more than twenty-five years ago with a competency. After the death of his wife Mr. Grassmeyer made his home with hia daugher, Mrs. A. Kempf. Mr. and Mrs. Grassmeyer were the parents of four children; two, a boy and a girl, died at the ages of three, and ten years respectively. The two survivors are Mrs. Matilda Buol of Randolph, Nebraska, and Mrs. Ida Kempf of this city.

Submitted by: Steve Hanken
Source: Monticello Express, May 28, 1908