Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1911-07-21
RoBr. r. MOTIFS.

&sSo4s - XAS = = ~ i's
Prominent Chicago Financier and Bust
ness Man Passes Away Monday
July 10th.
Washington, Iowa, July l7--(SpeciaD
-Robt. 7. Motifs, former Washing
tonian, passed away at his home, 41lO
Calumet Ave-, Chicago, ILL.,, Monday
morning, July 10th, at about 10 o'clock.
When the news of his death was re-
ceived here it came as a thunderbolt
out of clear sky, as it was not known
that he was even critically i'll, although
he had been sick for about month,
leukemi being the immediate cause Of
his death.
Robt. T. Motifs was born at Musca-
tine, Iowa, June "a, 1861, and came
to Washington when quite small boy
with his mother and family and lived
here until he arrived at young man
hood when he went to Chicago to
struggle with life's battles on his own
resources, and he made good as all can
testify who ever came in contact with
him. He achieved fame and fortune,
and the influence he exerted for good
will live for many years to come in the
memories of those who knew him best.
Starting with practically nothing he
accumulated considerable wealth in
business ventures in Chicago, owning
70 front feet Of real estate at the cor
ner Of 9th and State streets, where
the Pekin Theatre stands as a ling
monument to his thrift and enterprise,
and the brick building and site at S6th
and State streets, occupied by Messrs.
Rankin and White, colored druggists,
and his beautiful home at ALTO Calumet
Avenue, in addition to owning and con-
trolling a great deal Of very valuable
personal property. He was also very
successful theatrical manager, having
the honor of being the first colored man
in the world to construct and conduct
a theatre to be run in the interest of
the colored race.
Louis B. Anderson, in his tribute to
the memory Of Robert Taylor Motifs,
said in part:
"He stood in this community as a
giant oak in the forest. He was the
pioneer representative Of the negro
race in the successful conduct Of a
theatrical enterprise. It was in this
line of endeavor that he stands out
most prominently as benefactor. of
countless aspiring Thespians whose sue
cessful careers owe their beginning to
the helpful hand and kindly ministra-
tion of Robert Motifs. ~. Through.
out this land and in foreign lands the
name of Robert Motts was known, in.
deed, no empty statement is made when
we say that he was one Of the best
known and loved members of the race.
AS a, citizen he was honored and re-
spected everywhere. =
M Revs. w. D. Cook and D. P. Roberts
in their eloquent orations over the re-
mains at Quinn Chapel in Chicago
where the funeral was held Thursday
afternoon, paid glowing tributed to him
as ian enterprising citizen, benevolent
friend and benefactor to his fellowmen
and that he surely would find favor
in the sight of the Great God who
sent him into the world and then re-
moved him from it at His own ap-
pointed time, that he accomplished
much more in every way in the short
space of time he was in it than thou
sands of those who live to be three
score years and ten. =
Robt. T. Mott is survived by one
brother, Fred D. Motifs of Washington,
Iowa; one sister, Miss Lucy Lindsay,
of Chicago; two nieces, the Misses Nora
and Helen Motts, and five nephews,
Thomas, Ralph, Robert, Jr., Leon and
Howard Motifs. He was member OF
the Elks, Appomattox Club, and secre-
tary of the Colored Retail Liquor
Dealers Association.
The funeral services proper were held
Thursday afternoon, July 18th, IN
Quinn Chapel, Chicago, conducted by
Revs. W. D. Cook and D. P. Roberts,
and at the conclusion Of these the Elks
took charge and held short service.
Floral tributes were seen in profusion,
two carriages were used in transport
ing them to and from the church. His
remains were encased in state casket
Of cedar and mahogany, covered with
heavy black broadcloth, ornamented
with rich silver mountings. The hearse
conveying it to and from the church
and to the Rock Island depot was
drawn by four black horses heavily
draped in mourning. The funeral party
arrived at Washington in a special car
Friday morning at $3.50 O'Clock and pro-
ceeded to the home Of Fred D. Motifs,
where the casket was open to visitors
until 100 p. M, and at 900 O'Clock a
short service was held by Rev. w. w.
Williams after which all that was NOR
tai Of Robt. T. Motifs was laid to rest
in Elm Grove cemetery beside his
mother who preceded him many years.
The pail bearers were eight friends Of
the deceased who accompanied the body
from Chicago: Messrs. Geo. Holt, Henry
Jones, J. E. Hawkins, Samuel Corker,
Edward D. Green, John Fry, Daniel
jackson and Col. W. r. Cowan.
81 Others who accompanied the remains
We're: Mesdames Henry Jones and Mon
trose Rankin, Miss Estella Clark, Essie
Arnold, Ella Edwards, Sylvia Jones,
Lucy Lindsay, Messrs. Lieut.. Hawkins,
James Miller, DR.. Smith, Thos. +.
Motifs, Ralph Motifs, Leon Motifs, How
ard Motifs and VIM. Moore.
Mr.. and Mrs. A. G. Clark Of Oska-
loosa attended the funeral of Robt.
Motifs here last Friday. 5s 81