Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1899-10-28
Death Of Mr.. L. {. uerling.

While on the way to his home iii this
city Tuesday. where be expected 10 see
bis family before breathing hrs last. death
overlook ex-Shcrif L. c. Gerliug. He
was on B x O. train Ne. Zen route from
Baltimo % this city. when death came.
tie passed away at o.4S O'Clock on b3aru
the tram at Harpers Ferry.
Ills death Was peaceful Tire grim
hand crent upon hfm quietly and SLOWLY.
while he rested in the arms Of his wife
who had Eolned him that morning ia Bal
tirnare DR. S. n. Myers and Rev G. Isl
Trump were With him 1t tie lime 81 his
death
When the news Of Mr.. eserlings death
reached this CITY, expressions Of
sincere regret were heard on every side
and a deep gloom was cast. no, only over
a loving family. bur over host Of friends
and associates. In bis death the county
loses a worthy resident, one who has
done much for It's benefit and who was
known as the best Sheriff ever at the
helm Of the county's affairs. Almost /
whole OF MIR. Gerling's life was passed in
this county, and Martinsburs, the place
OF his nativity. mourns his loss.
MIR Cerling's death was caused by that
dreaded disease consumption He had
been suffering with it since 1904. In that
year his health began to decline and. all
though he tried hard to fight il off. death
claimed him after five years of suffering.
MIR. Gerling has tried eveEy conceivable
cure for the disease. He had gone To
different climates. tried various medical
treatment, but all TO no avail Within the
past year he spent sometime in the noun
rains at Ashevilie, North Carolina, but re-
turned with his health unimproved. Four
weeks ago he went to Baltimore founder
go treatment and was beginning to have
some hope OF his cure, but his condition
still continued the same He decided 10
return home, but death overlook him be-
fore reaching his native town.
Mr.. Gerling was one Of the most sue.
cessfnl business men OF the county. From
a very humble start he rose to be one oil
the most successful business men the
county has ever known. He went into
business at the age of rs and his career
as business man has not been excelled
by anyone in Martinsburg. Up until the
past few years he has been engaged in the
hardware business and was one of the
principal merchants OF the city.
In politics Mr.. Gerllng was also widely
known. He was staunch Republican
and was elected Sheriff Of Berkeley coun-
ty in 1892, when nearly the entire county
went over TO the Democratic ranks. He
served as Sheriff from 1895 to 1897. and
at the expiration of his term, went out OF
Office with a record that was a surprise
and the cause of much qualification to
all While Sheriff after Sheriff had gone
to financial ruin, he steered his boat SAFE
ly through the financial breakers and came
out on top. He had the much talked OF
hard times OF 1880 TO contend with, but
his long experience in financial affairs car
ried him through and his term Of office was
crowned with success. BY the death of
Mr.. Gcrling the Republican ranks lose a
hard worker and successful politician.
He was a deacon in the Reformed
church OF this city and has been menu
Der of the church for a number of years.
He has been one of the trusted directors
OF the Peoples National Bank for about
ten years. He was also president of the
Valley Exchange Building and Loan AS
sociation and president Of the Williams
port Turnpike Company. In December,
1888, he was elected to fill the unexpired
term Of Mr.. Frank Williams, in the City
Council In May 1880 he was elected
Councilman for two years and served his
| term with credit to himself and with
profit to the city.
| Mr.. Gerling was aged 3oyears, month
/ and 7 Ia t,nrt, III <zstx
Sept. %, 1860. He leaves a widow and
four children, the youngest Of whom is
five years Of age. He is survived BY q
mother, three brotbers- VIM, John and
Charles Gerling, and three sisters Mrs
John Callahan, Mrs. ]. d. Schlotterbech
and Mrs. Chris. Stocker.
The funeral took place from the Re-
formed church Yesterday afternoon at I sc
O'Clock. DIR. ]. A. Hoffheins officiating
lnterment was made in Green Hi