- William B. Griem, one of New Holstein's esteemed citizens, passes suddenly away, Wednesday morning.
Slowly, one after one, as year after year flits by on noiseless wing, the old pioneers of our town, the sturdy men of "48, drop from the ranks. One after one they close for aye their eyes upon life's busy scenes. One after one they pass to that eternal city of silence whose gates never swing outward.
One year ago our citizens, with fitting exercises commemorated the half-hundredth anniversary of the coming of these hardy men. But few indeed remained of the "old guard," of whose ax-strokes first resounded in these forest depths. Few indeed— and they with silvered beard and snowy head, with step less firm and form more bent than when they first set foot upon New Holstein's soil— were left to tell the story of the transformation of a forest wilderness into a happy and prosperous community of homes.
Among these few, however, was Wm. B. Griem. Time seemed to have dealt gently with him. His three score and ten years seemed not to weigh upon his shoulders. Still bright of mind and sprightly of action, he passed among his friends. Those near and dear to him, even he himself, felt that half a score of years at least might still be his to enjoy life's gloaming in. But such proved not to be the case. A few weeks ago symptoms of angina pectoris came to warn that the end was not afar. He, however, rallied, apparently completely, from the first attacks. But Wednesday morning, August 2, at 12:30 o'clock, another sudden attack terminated fatally.
William Berthold Griem was born in Hamburg, Germany, April 28, 1826, the youngest of eight brothers and sisters. His parents died when he was still quite young. In 1848 he crossed the ocean, coming with the first settlers to New Holstein, then still covered with a trackless forest wilderness, and locating on the farm which has ever since been his. Two years later he recrossed the ocean to be married to his betrothed, Miss Fanny Hintze, and brought her here. The previous summer he had erected his modest home, the first frame house in the town. The house then built still forms a part of the present commodious and comfortable home. Underneath its roof-tree he has lived and labored for a half century. Here were born and reared his nine children, six sturdy sons and three daughters. And from underneath its shelter they, one after another went forth into the world to lead lives of usefulness and honor, and to be the architects of their own destiny. And here, too, underneath this same shelter, after the toil and moil of life's day, when night had fallen and the weary worker slept, he rested on his bier; and from here, too, he was borne forth by the hands of those who honored and revered him, to his last resting place in our beautiful city of the dead.
Mr. Griem, with the exception of a few years, when the office was held by Mr. Otto Arens, was town clerk of this town since its organization, a record that certainly speaks volumes for the esteem in which he was held by his fellow townsmen.
The deceased is survived by his widow; and five sons, James, William B. Jr., Ernest, Fred and John; and two daughters, Mrs. Claus Jens and Mrs. August Kelm.
Peace to the ashes of him who was in every way and walk of life a man of spotless honor and integrity. New Holstein, Aug. 4th 1899
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1826 - 1899 (73 years)
Has no ancestors but 6 descendants in this family tree.
1860 Census
: Address
: Location
: City/Town
: County/Shire
: State/Province
: Country
: Not Set
Language
Griem, Adolphine
