Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-10-26
WAS A PIONEER
OF THIS SECTION
CAME TO oTTUMWA MORE THAN
FORTY YEARS AGO FROM PENN
sYLvANlA-ATTENDED CHURCH
SUPPER FEW HOURS BEFORE.

the Main Street Methodist Episcopal
church Saturday night, where he had
gone in company with some of his
friends to attend chicken pie sup
per, W. H. Fetzer, a pioneer of the
city and one of the best known of the
older residents of Ottumwa, passed
away suddenly about 1890 o'clock.
Death came with but little warning.
He complained of an indisposition and
expired with his head resting on the
shoulder of his faithful wife, few
minutes after the arrival of the ply
sician. Thus passed one of the old
guard of Ottumwa, who during his
more than forty years residence in
the city was one of the leading ciu-
zens and one who was ever interested
in it's welfare, man of wide ac-
ouaintance and highly respected.
Death is Sudden.
The end came about 1890 o'clock,
shortly after returning home from a
chicken pie supper given at the Main
Street M. q. church. They had been
at home but short time when Mr..
Fetzer complained of what he thought
a slight indisposition and feeling that
he was gradually getting worse, Mrs.
FetZer sent for physician in order to
obtain relief for her husbands suffer
ing. The couple sat together on a
couch in the home when the physician
arrived, and before anything could be
done to relieve him, Mr.. Fetzer drop
ped his head upon the shoulder of his
sorrowing helpmeet and breathed his
last Acute indigestion was the dag
nosis of the physician. He was in his
sixty-ninth year and had enjoyed ap-
parently good headth, although he re-
Gently showed signs of failing. The
household was totally unprepared for
the sad blow that fell upon it.
Children Arrive Home.
Surviving are his wife and three
sons, John G. of Chicago William of
Springfield, ILL.,, and Wade of Chicago,
also his grand daughter. Henrietta Fet-
ger, who has made her home with her
grandparents. All of the survivors are
at the Fetzer home, having arrived
here on Burlington No. yesterday
afternoon. Mrs. John C. Fetzer and
Mrs. Wade Fetzer and her children,
accompanied their husbands. AS father
and husband the decedent is best re-
membered, and his one aim in life
was a happy home circle, in which he
was successful.
Born in pennsylvania.
W. H. Fetzer was born in Clarion
county, Pa, December 20, 1870, and
was married in Clarion to Henrietta
Clark, December "a, 1863. Prior to that
time he enlisted in June, 1861. in the
Tenth regiment, Pennsylvania yolun-
4 INF Jico Pnr
disability in December, 1861. He had
been admitted to the bar in Clarion
county in February, 1861.
Was a Pioneer.
Mr.. and Mrs. Fetzer came to OF
tumwa December 25, 1858, and have
made this city their home ever since.
The following children were born to
this estimable couple: John c., at
Clarion, Pa; William, at Clarion; Sal.
lie (deceased) in Ottumwa, and
Wade in Ottumwa. Mr. Fetzer was
admitted to the bar in Wapello coun-
ty on motion of the late Judge E. L..
Burton, in 1869. Mr.. and Mrs. Fetzer
have always held high place in the
esteem Of the community and are es-
pectally well known to the older in
habttants, having been pioneers in this
section and continuous residents of
Ottumwa for two score years. The de-
cedent was one Of the foremost com
rades of Cloutman post, G. A. R., and
has been identified with the organiza-
tion in all of its undertakings, as well
as every patriotic movement ever TAX
en- UP in the city. He was a member of
Ottumwa lodge, No. 16, A. F. & A. M,
and with his family, was member of
the Presbyterian church.
Funeral Tomorrow.
The funeral will be held from the
residence, corner Wapello and Fifth
streets, tomorrow afternoon at 2
o'clock. The service will be conducted
by Rev. r. Ames Montgomery, D. u.
The G. A. R. will attend and hold a
service at the grave in Ottumwa cem-
etery. The "Ottumwas" will sing at
the service.
The pail bearers are: C. E. Boude,
g. A. Brown, Allen Johnston, William
McNett, S. H. Harper and G. E. Nc
Daniel.