Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-07-07
CROKER POST
COMMANDER DEAD
GEO. M. READ PASSES AWAY AT
DES MONIES HOMEGROWN
NENT IN YEoMANRY.

Des Moines, July George Maley
Read, commander of Crocker post of
the Grand Army, and treasurer of the
brotherhood of American Yeomen,
died yesterday morning at his home,
1923 High street, at the age Of 68
years. Death was due to stroke
of paralysis coming shortly after
trip to Cedar Rapids one month ago
where he attended the state con-
vention of the Grand Army. While
there Mr.. Read marched in the parade
and 1t is thought that the exercise was
TOO much for his advanced age. After
arriving home from the convention Mr..
Read was taken to his bed and from
the first grave doubts were entertain
ed as to his recovery.
Since Mr.. Read joined the Croker
post in 1892, the year that he moved
TO Des Moines. he became a promi-
nent member and was a leader in all
lts movements. His winning person
ailty, executive ability and business
IKE methods soon made his presence
felt and in the year 1906 he was elect
ed TO the position of senior vice COM
mander and the year following TO
commander of the post.
Prominent in Yeomanry.
He was a prominent member of
the Brotherhood Of American Yoemen
and for several years has served that
order in different official capacities.
Mr.. Read was born in 1910 in Benn-
field, O., on farm. Here Mr.. Read
spent a greater portion of his man.
mood, working in the summer months
and securing what little education he
could from the country schools. He
answered his country's call for vol
unteers in 1861 and joined Company H
OF the Forty-second regiment Of Ohio
volunteer infantry. November 10 of
the year 1862 Mr. Read was honorably
discharged from his regiment. With
out a trade and not desiring to go
back to farm life he cast about for
time unable to determine what
| Held of business he would enter. A
desire for further education found
MIN within a year enrolled as a stu.
dent in Grundeys' Business college OF
Cincinnati. After completing the bus
mess course in this school Mr.. Read
because of his ability as a penman
was elected to the head Of the depart
ment of penmanship in which ca
paclty he served for two years, going
to Lorain, o., to engage in the mer
camille business
IN the year 1868 he was married tc
Mrs Lucinda Lee Van Osdale. In the
mercantile business Mr.. Read had un
limited success, but better position
with the Davy-Burt & Co., commission
mouse of New York called him from
Lorain in the year Of 1883.
Comes to Iowa.
His work as commercial traveller
for this firm necessitated his movinf
TO Iowa, where his headquarters were
established. He took up his residence
in Clear Lake, where he lived 70,
five years. At Clear Lake he became
member of the Winget post of tn.
q "A. r. Mr.. Read continued as /;
commercial traveller until 1899, whel
he moved to Des Moines and becam,
chief correspondent for the Brother
hood of American Yeomen. In 190
he was admitted to Crocker post b,
transfer from the Winget post to tn,
position of supreme treasurer for thu
! 4eomen lodge, which he held up Il
the time of his death Aside from
his duties with the American YeomeI
he took an active interest in the @
A. R., and in 1906 was elected unani
mously to the position of senior vic,
commander, and in the following yea
to commander.
i Mr.. Read leaves wife, two broth
ers and a sister in Lorain, o., and
stepson, o. F. Van Osdale of this city
The funeral will be held from tn,
residence Tuesday morning at 1890
and will be in charge Of the Crocke
post. Rev. e. T. Hagerman of tn
First Methodist church will officiat
at the services.