The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-23

idiiltl ~ m honorable ijIliic and :,
large fortune fer himself lie WAS
born iii Prussia on the 9th day of DE.
cember, 1916, and would therefore be
thirty-Seven years old next December.
He was only five years old when his
parents emigrated to this country,
coming to Austin, then but "A lit
tie village His father died a
very little while after reaching their
new home, and his mother did not sur
vive the change of climate but two
years, thus, at the age of eight Bernard
Radkey was left an orphan in a
strange land. and i'll poverty, 10
work his way up the rugged
path of life. He struggled on as
best he could. gaining for himself Il
little education, and IL reputation for
industry and honesty, until he was
fifteen, when he apprenticed himself
to 5. b. Bush, to learn the timers
trade. He next began business for
himself, and was very successful, for
he possessed all those clements that
go to make business success. He at
one time was i'll business in Mexico,
and here he made Il considerable sum
of money. After the war he returned
to his former home, and again went
into the hardware trade with his
usual prosperity. On the 9th of
March, 1868, he married
the accomplished daughter of
Judge stephen Cummings, of this
city, who survives his death. In
short time after his marriage his
large store took fire and its entire con-
tents were destroyed-on which there
was not dollar of insurance-and in
night the product of his years of
toll was one heap of ashes. To a
man of less pluck such a misfortune
would have been SO diSheartening
that he would have given up in
despair, but not so with him. He
vent to work with all his energy
and ability, and in a few years
regained his loss, and at his
death he was worth, oyer and above
all his liabilities, $4,000. He would
in all probability have been worth
double that sum if it had not been for
the fire spoken of. He was man of
little political aspirations, but never
theiess was elected to the present city
council, which ofAce he resigned few
weeks ago on account Of moving
from the ward he represented. Ire
was member OF three social societies.
the Knights of Homer, the Ancient
Order of United WOrkmen, and She
Inde9endent Order of Odd Fellows, in
al of which he vas very popular. He
was selected to Represent his lodge in
the grand lodge OF the Ancient Gtrdsr
of United Worilmea and by the grand
lodge chosen to represent il in
the supreme lodge OF the United
States. He likewise was chosen
10 tbs highest positions of honor
and trust IL tila ether orders men
toned. As q citizen, ~ lGan was
more respected than he, ana his DEAN
has east 4 gloom oyer all. His funeral
will take place ut 3 o'clock this even
ing, at which time We presume ali the
business houses OF the city will DE
closed. The funeral will De under
the auspices of the three societies OF
which he was ] member. From these
his widow receives $4,000. IN her sore
affection sac and her children haEe
the sympathy OF eyerg worthy man
and woman III Austin,
He's gone from us forever.
To unknown lands above;
we've seen his last endeilvUr-
=" dis industry and love.
No more his eageg footsteps
Shall sound Upon ON e;rI
Add peer again his preceptS
Shall wife or children hear
In blush of rosy morning,
Without Il warning note.
Death i'll the early dawning,
The fearful summons wrote.
Mid peaceful sleep, the calling
Of wife and children dear;
|elid Sudden grief appalling
AID many falling tear
To-day we place flle Caster
Upon the sable bier,
And Solemnly we ask it,
For God alone to hear,
The funeral prayer we utter
AS earth 10 earth we say,
While angel wings shall f1IItter
Above the Wondering clay.