Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-09-22
P, N. CRAP
IS DE ID
PHILANTHRoPIsT REvERED ALL
OVER IOWA PASSES AWAY
yglia TODAY IN BURLINGTON.
VICTIM OF PNEUMONIA
Man Whose Thousands of Dollars in
Gifts Have Brought Joy to Thous.
ands of Hearts Answers the Final
Summons - Sketch of His Career.

summons - SkStCIt Oh THO SdTSSFs
4
Burlington, Sept. 21.-(SpeciaD Il
Philip M. Grape, we'll known through
put Iowa as philanthropist and CAPT.
talist, died at his home here this morn
ing after suffering for short time|
from an attack of pneumonia. The
arrangements for his funeral have not
rs yet been announced.
Sketch of His Life.
Philip M. Grape was born in Free
town, near New Bedford, Mass, June
80, 1874. He traces his ancestry
through more; than two centuries.
Philip M. Crapo's father, Philip, was
born October IL, 1898, and was married
in 1923 to Hannah Grape. Their son
enioyed the benefits of an excellent
school system and was prepared for
college. His college plans We're inter
rupted by his enlistment as a private
soldier in the Third Massachusetts In
lantry. He served in the eastern de-
partment with headquarters at New
berne, N. G.. After the war Mr.. Grape
went to Michigan, whence he engaged
as a civil engineer in the construction
of what is now the Flint and Pere
Marquette railroad. He afterwards en-
gagged in the state Offices at Detroit in
the preparation of the military history
of Michigan. While resident of De-
troit, Mr.. Grape occupied a prominent
social position, being a member of
many social, literary and military or
sanizations. In April, 1868, he came to
Iowa, and took charge of the business
of the Connecticut Mutual Life Insur-
ance company in the southern half of
the state. Subsequently his territory
was enlarged and he was made the
general agent of the company for
Iowa and Nebraska, to which he devot-
ed his attention for thirteen years. In
1882 he was appointed financial cor
respondent of the company, which po-
sition he has filled continuously since
that date. He has served the company
successfully and satisfactorily for more
than thirty-one years.
While Mr.. Grape was always an
active republican, he was never an
office seeker. He was chairman OF
the republican congressional commit
tee in his district in the campaigns of
1886 and 1888, and in 1885 was county
chairman for Des Moines county He
accepted the nomination for state.sen-
ator in that year, and, though he ran
very much ahead of his ticket, he
could not overcome the democratic
majority in the county. In 1889, his
friends supported him loyalty in the
republican state convention for the
nomination for governor.
Contributed to Public Good.
Mr.. Grape devoted much of his time
and was liberal contributor to the
development Of public interests. He
has been energetic in his endeavors
to bring railroad competition to Bur-
lington. In 1887 he organized a COM
pany and secured charter from con-
gress to build a combination bridge
across the Mississippi at Burlington,
but after completing arrangements for
its USE and after the taxpayers had
expressed their willingness to vote a
large tax to aid the project, major
ity of the members of the bridge
company declined to assume the re-
sponsibility and the bridge has never
been built Mr.. Grape was chiefly in
fiuential in securing the establishment
of the Soldiers Home, located at
Marshalltown, and delivered the adj
dress on behalf of the old soldiers at
its dedication. He has been active in
securing appropriations for the home
ever since it has been established.
Had Charge of Centennial.
Another important service which
Mr.. Grape rendered to his city and
state was the contribution of service
and money which he made to the
semi-centennial celebration of the adj
mission of Iowa as state, which was
held in Burlington ins1896. Mr.. Grape
was president of the board of commits
sioners appointed by Governor Drake
and was actively in charge.
The Grape Family.
This successful business man was
prominent in all matters affecting the
growth and prosperity OF city and
state, and especially in everything cal
culated to promote education and con.
tribute to the health and happiness
of the people.
He was married Sept 6, 1870, to
Ruth A. Ray. To them were born sew.
en- children: Edith Ray, born Aug. 10
1871; Philip Ashley, born July II
1873: Chester Frederick, born, July
20, 1876; Clifford Maxwell, born Sept
6, 1879 Ruth Kelsall, born Sept. 2,
1880; Lucy Rowland. born April z
1883, and William Mitchell, born July
"a, 1886. The Oldest son, Philip Ash
ley, was a graduate of Phillips Exeter
academy and the Harvard law school
He has just began the practice of law
In New York City when the Spanish.
American war began. He left his bus
mess and came to Iowa to enlist in