Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-04-17
Death Occurred at Late Residence
on Park Avenue Last Evening.
a GOOD MAN GONE TO HIS REWARD
Was a Prominent Churchman Has
Been Resident of Ottumwa for
Twenty-Five Years-Eoolsa
keeper for Merrill & ca,
[From SATURDAYS Daiiy.]

The death of George A. Witter, for
nearly twenty-five years a resident OF
Ottumwa, occurred at his late residence
on Park avenue, at $3.50 o'clock last
evening, after an extended illness. Mr..
Writer was SO years of age and leaves
a wife and four children, besides son
OF Mrs. Witter by a former marriage,
to mourn his death. He had been
dangerously ill for over a year and
confined to his bed since Christmas.
A good churchman, true Christian
and kindly, courteous gentleman who
always performed his duty as he saw
it, has gone to his reward.
George A. Witser was born in Dun
bar, Pennsylvania, October so, 1s49.
At the age of IA years he embraced
the cause of religion at Connelsville,
Pennsylvania, and united with the
Methodist church, of which de-
nomination he has ever since
been consistent member and
faithful worker. He grew to
manhood in this eastern state and on
September 26, 1875, at the age of "a
years, was united in marriage with An
ma Rizer, of Cumberland, Maryland.
10 this union We're born six children,
four of whom, Charles T., Lewis A.,
George Z. and Helen Z. survive their
father. Another member of the house
hold was j. X. Rizer, a son of Mrs.
Witter by a former marriage, now a
minister of the gospel at Macomb, IL
linois. Mr.. Witter loved this boy as
a son and gave him the same advan-
tages as he did his own children. There
was bond between them as
strong as that of blood. He
grew to manhood in the Witter home
and finally entered the ministry and
stands as monument to the interest
and fatherly care Mr.. Witter took in
him.
March 81, 1876, Mr.. and Mrs. Witter
came to Ottumwa, where the husband
entered the employ of Porter Bros. &
HaclSworth as bookkeeper.
He was afterwards with the firm of
Egan & Mclaughlin until they went
out of business and about April /, 1890,
entered the employ of j. I'll. Merrill &,
Co. as head bookkeeper, which posi-
ton he held until failing health com
PEELED him to give up his position. In
January, 1899, Mr.. Witter resigned and
in the following month went to Silome
Springs, Arkansas, for the benefit of
his health. He returned to Ottumwa
in May and again entered the employ
of j. Ell. Merrill & Co. For month
he made a. brave fight but was not able
to bear up. From that time until
Christmas day Mr.. Witter was able to
be up and around the house, some
times goinr down town. From that
time his condition grew gradually
worse until last evening when the end
came.
Ever since he took up his residence
in Ottumwa Mr.. Witter has been a
faithful worker in the First Methodist
church. For many years he was a
member of the official board and was
also chief usher. He was efficient in
every line of duty and very loyal to the
interests of the church.
The funeral will occur tomorrow af-
ternoon at o'clock at his late resi-
dence on Park avenue, conducted by
DR.. F.. E. Brush. Interment will be
made in the Ottumwa cemetery. The
pail bearers will be r.. n. Morrell, S.
L. Vest, John w. White, Harlan Smith,
G. g. Thomas and Edward Wright. Mr..
Witter was member of Woodland
Camp No. 1O3, M. w. A., and it is ex-
pected that the order will attend the
funeral in a body. 1t is expected also
that the order will hold short SER
vice at the grave.