Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-09-17

Obituary.

William F. Kettenbach was born in
New York City, May II, 1910 He died
in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana,
September 9, 1891. Embraced within
the period between these dates was
life of earnest endeavor, of honor and
usefulness to his community and State,
and crowned with large measure of
appreciation of his fellow citizens.
Reared in that best estate of our Amer
lean society, the intelligent middle
class, he was neither tettered by the
unhappy limitations of actual poverty
nor cnervated by the seductions of
wealth, which might relieve him of the
beneticent necessity for effort and hon.
olable work. There was nothing unus-
ual in his youth; there was nothing but
what he shared in common with thou
sands of others in his early manhood.
His boyhood was that of the average
American boy, and early education was
that of the common public school.
In 1872 he was married to Miss Sallie
Benton, who with two childrcn--a son
and daughter-survive him. In 1877
he removed to Lewiston, in the rapidly
growing region of Northern Idano,
good sense and ability enabled him to
accumulate handsome competency,
and his manly qualities and open, gen
erous traits of character secured him a
large circle of personal friends. His
life, though brief, was success; for he
had in all respects acted well his part.
He is noble illustration of what life
may be in this favored country of ours.
From the position of clerk and book
keeper in few short years he came to
be the president of the Lewiston Nat
ional Bank. As a citizen, a neighbor,
he has left the impress of his life and
character upon all who knew him, and
he will be held in honored and loving
remembrance.
He was an nonored member of the
knights of Pythias for over twenty
years and one of the foremost citizens of
Lewiston. He entered with vigor and
enthusiasm into the business life of this
community. The marked success of
the Lewiston National Bank, the COM
pletion of the Lewiston Water Works,
the remarkable successful sales of real
estate in the city of Lewiston, and 9TH
er enterprises inaugurated for the ben
eft of his community, are monuments
of his energy, industry and sagacious
enterprising business ability. 1t may
we'll be said that his death was a public
calamity, as we'll as an inconsolable
loss to his family and friends. AS a
husband and father he was tender
considerate and loving. In truth he
met all the requirements of the highest
citizenship.
Few men have been more successful
: in producing solid results from a brie
:, lifes battle than was he. His illness
. was of short duration and his taking of
! unexpected. 1t did not seem possible
= that one so vigorous, so faithful. ant
I so useful in the affairs of life could b
+ selected as the target for death Alas
Y how weak and frai are men; in til
. midst of our greatest prosperity we al
t travelling nearest the brink of destru(
j. tion. When just ready to take a 81
a from the cup of earthly sweetness, it
4 turned to bitter gall. His wife an
r children came to him; but how change
IS the conditions. The wife widow an
Y the children fatherless; the aflectionat
n husband, the kind and loving paren
:. cold in death. The tenderest affection
% of the human heart are suddenl
& scalded by the bitterest tears of bereav'
j. ment. The people among whom h
:, manhOod's best years were passe
evince their deep regret at his depar
l. ure from the world. They who truste
It and hOnored him in the past, lameI
i. the termination of career with whic
their hopes were so closely interviewer
70 and to his stricken family, they, wit
n gentle hand and tender hearts, wOul
D. lift aside the veil of sorrow. They an
es we mournfully realize:
n. "Nothing is our own; We hold our pleasur
=. Fi,st little while ere they are ted.
-. One by one life robs US of our treasures;
NJ Nothing is our own except our dead
er A NEIGHBoR.