The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-02-27
SUDDEN DEATH OF
VALUED CITIZEN
Joseph 0berndorfer Dies of
Pneumonia Yesterday Aft
err a Short Illness.
GREAT LOSS TO COMMUNITY
FAITHFUL WORKER FOR STATE
AND CITY INTERESTS.

The death of Joseph Oberndorfer,
which occurred at his residence, sos
East First South street, at 1890 yes
terday morning. came as a great shock
to his many friends in this city and the
surrounding country, many of whom
were not aware of his illness. Mr..
Oberndorfer was taken sick on last
Monday. On Sunday he attended a re-
ception given in honor of the wedding
anniversary Of Mr.. and Mrs. Harry s.
Joseph. and at that time complained of
not feeling well. On Monday he was
seized with a severe cold which devel-
oped quickly into an attack of pneu-
monis, and although everything was
done that could be prescribed by med
ical sCience-OXygen being administered
by the attending physician, DR.. w G.
PlummeT-Mr. Oberndorfer gradually
grew worse until the end came yesteT-
day morning.
Mr.. Oberndorfer was born in New
York City fifty-two years lgo. His
first education was at grammar school
No. So, West Thirteenth street. New
York City, and he later graduated from
the College of New York. He was d
gifted musician and a splendid linguist
Twenty-Five years ago he located in
Utah. At first ne was established on
Main street in the old Jennings block. as
a merchant tailor. But as the wonder
full mining deposits of the state began
to develop Mr.. Oberndorfer became in
terested in that industry and entered
into the mining brokerage business, be
ing one of the first members of the Salt
Lake mining exchange, and continued
81 member until the time of his death.
Happy Union.
Some time after his arrival in Utah
Mr.. ObeTndoTfer married Lillian Green
wald, daughter Of 4. Greenwald, and
three children were the result of the
union. Miss Marion Oberndorfer is the
oldest child. now about 10 years old. She
has been studying at St Mary's acad-
envy, Knoxville, III. She was notified
of the death of her father and is now
hurTying homeward. Harry OberndOrfer
is the second child, a talented pianist.
Helen Is the yoDngestborn of the union.
Mrs. OberndoTfeT, Harry, Helen and
many relatives and intimate friends
were at the bedside of Mr.. ObeTndorfer
when he passed away.
Mr.. Oberndorfer came from one of
the oldest families in New York City.
He was a brother-in-law of Harry Con-
tent, one of the largest and most influ-
entail stock brokers in New York. He
was a thirty-second degree Mason, a
noble of the Mystic Shrine, an Elk and
a member of the Commercial club. The
flags on the buildings of the various
organizations were at half mast yester-
day as a sign of respect TO the departed
brother.
Mr.. Oberndorfer was a member of the
city board of education, being reelected
last fall on the American" ticket from
the Fifth ward without opposition. He
was secretary of the Salt Lake & Ogden
railroad ana a director of the Utah
mine. He was of a sunny, genial dis
position. Wherever he went he made
friends-lasting friends-and his death
has cast a gloom over the entire city.
The body is I'm charge of Undertaken
O'Donnell, but the details of the funeral
have not yet been arranged. It is IN
derstoOd that the funeral will not be
until Monday, as his daughter, Miss
Marion. cannot arrive here until Sun
day night.
His Services Valuable.
The board of education could in af-
ford to lose such a man as Joseph
OberndOrfeT." said D. H. Christensen.
superintendent of city schools. yester-
day when he heard Of Mr.. OberndoTfers
untimely death.
Mr. OberndOrfer gave to the business
of the board the same careful attention
that he devoted to his own business. He
was a hard working member, conscien-
tiOUs IN all that he did and. in the de-
alterations of the board, he will be great
" missed I know that in the super
intendent's office we viii feel his loss
His advice was always timely, and he
was ever ready to lend his time"
The members of the board of educa-
ton made arrangements yesterday to
attend the funeral in a body and to
send suitable tokens Of their respect.
Mr.. OberndOrfer had been a memb Der
of the board for four years. and was
reelected at the last election by accla-
nation, being the only member Of the
board who received the support Of all
factions.