Omaha daily bee., 1906-12-03

and devoted to his business, in which ne
vas quite successful. Forecasting Tor eacn
Vi his sons a business career, he exercised
over their preparation for the Work they
we're to do, wise and constant super
vision.
herman Kountze graduated at the high
school of his native city; then, entering the
store he learned, under the direct tutelage
Of his father, the methods Of business. In
the fall of 1856 he came to Omaha assO-
ciating himself with his older brother, Au-
gustus, in the banking business under the
name Of KOuntze Brothers, In 1868 the
First National bank of Omaha was organ
lied, Herman Kountze being cashier. lie
was afterward vice president, and, eatter
the death of Edward Creighton, he became
president OF the bank which position he
some months ago his constant application
to business affairs having overtaxed his
strength, he sought needed rest. On
Tuesday, the Goth day of last month, ne
found eternal rest.
When MIR. Kountze came to Omaha in
1856, he found ii a rude frontier post, But
he found and met here a group OF young
men with an empire in their brains,
grading the commonwealth that was TO be.
In this group of men, many OF whom nave
achieved national distinction, Mr.. kountze
received instant recognition. His high char
acter and instructive honesty assured the
disinterestedness of his advice. His knoWl.
edge of men, his comprehensive grasp OF
every situation and its possibilities, and his
logical reasoning compelled realization OF
the soundness of his judgment. He bore a
the development of our city. For nifty
years he was a citizen of Omaha During
all that time he was in close touch with
and gave efficient support to every move
ment which held promise of uplifting the
moral standards or advancing the material
interests Of this community.
Although, in our official and civic bodies,
appropriate action upon the death of Mr..
Kountze has already been taken, yet the
record of his half-century of citizenship
and serviceN Nhere justifes the people of this
community in coming together as they have
done today, TO give public testimony to
their estimate of the man and his work
and to express the feelings of gratitude and
affection which his life and work inspired.
The personal character Of Mr.. Kountze.
eminent degree, by what Burke so well
called the chastity OF honor" His un-
falling truthfuness, his manifest integrity,
his native sincerity inspired a confidence
lasting and complete. He sought no place,
Stunned all display; his life was charac-
terized by an unassuming modesty He
was man always kindly and helpful. In
charity, his deeds of kindness were ever
secret. In matters of business, while al
ways just to himself and others, he never
sought to turn another's misfortune into
seek to make the relation beneficial to both
and so conform to his high ideal of COM
mercial dealing. He possessed an intel
lectual sanity which kept him ever to what
was real and true The glitter of the un-
Rttainable never blinded him.
The dominant note of the mans life was
sincerity He despised all sham, He al
ways sought the truth of every matter.
His life was real and earnest and hence
an inspiration to every one with whom
he came in contact He exerted an In
fiuence IN this community difficult 10 over
estimate, but of which he was probably
unconscious.
The purity Of his life and the .rectitude
of his motives disarmed suspicion His
successes evoked no envy; his wealth was
never a menace.
The qualities which gave him his place
were not acquired, but were native and
instructive.
In private life. I'm business relationships,
I'm civic virtues, he was a splendid example
Of American citizenship.
Our community mourns the loss OF a
citizen upon whom II has always safely
relied for wise counsel, liberal aid ana per
feet example, and thousands feel in his
death, the loss of personal friend.