South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-05-14
Prominent German-A American
Resident of South Bend For
90 Years SuCcumbS to At
tack of Bronchial Pneumonia.
OBSERVED HIS EIGHTIETH
BIRTHDAY IN NOVEMBER
0CtOgenarian, Recently Retired
From Insurance and Steam
ship Agency, Had Enjoyed
Unusually Good Health.

John y. Lederer, 50 years old, a
resident of South Bend since his young
manhood and for many years promi-
nently identified with the city's busi-
ness life, died shortly after 8 o'clock
Thursday morning at his residence,
316 y. Lafayette ST.
Mr.. Lederer'S death was unexpected.
Though advanced in age, he had been
unusually healthy and active. having
only recently retired from business.
on Wednesday he was well enough to
spend some time in his garden, as was
his usual custom. the beauty of the
lawn surrounding his home teStifying
TO his interest in this avocation.
a few weeks ago. however, in the
dampness Of early spring Mr.. Lederer
caught a cold of which he was unable
10 rid himself This had gradually
lessened his vitality and when the
crisis came suddenly Thursday morn
ing. indicating bronchial pneumonia,
ms strength failed and he was un-
able 10 withstand the attack.
Wife and Children Survive.
Mrs. Lederer, called to her hus-
bands bedside by the sudden attack,
hastily summoned physician, but
Death followed shortly after the lat
ter's arrival, in spite Of heroic res
torative measures.
MIR. Lederer is survived by his wife
and four children: Herbert Alma and
Irma who live in South Bend, and
Mrs. E. a. Koerner, of St. Louis.
Arrangements for the funeral have
not been completed but the services
VIII he held on Sunday The funeral
VIII be private, but friends may view
the body at the residence, the time TO
be announced later.
Mr.. Lederer celebrated his S0th
birthday last November and was at
that time in the best OF health He
walked with a light. springy step and
his whole appearance 5elied his ad
vanced age
Served City and County.
Born in Germany, he always main
tanned his interest in the fatherland
and was one OF the most prominent
members Of his nationality in South
Bend. He served the city in various
capacities, was for some time a mem
ber Of the board Of education and also
served as county comm issiOner.
Mr.. Lederer retired some time ago
from the insurance and steamship
agency business which he developed in
South Bend and in which his son,
Herbert, was associated with him.
When the elder Lederer retired Her
the insurance department Of the
American Trust Co.
DOTH lll tDdNdElsf
Mr.. Lederer was born IN Arzberg,
Bavaria. Germany, on the 18th of No
vernbe 1888, son Of Frederick and
Barbara (Kunstman) Lederer. He
acquired a good education in his native
land. first attending the public schools
and then Il so-called gymnasium.
In April, 1853, he left his German
home and sailed for the United States.
He came direct to South Bend, first
securing a position in the office of
Harper 6 Co, leading manufacturers
Of this city at that time. After re-
naming with this company year. he
became an emplOye Of the Lake Shore
Railroad Co.
From 1854 until 1860 he was a clerk
in a grocery store. and at the expira-
ton Of that time he bought and sue
cesSfully conducted a meat market on
W Washington ST. In the following
wear Mr. Iederer returned to his old
home in Germany to visit his parents
and the scenes of his boyhOOd days,
and on his return to this city he en-
gagged in the grocery business with
John c. Knoblock. for whom he had
formerly clerked. This connection
was maintained until 1917.
Establishes Insurance Business.
Having disposed Of his interest in
the grocery business. Mr.. Lederer went
to Nebraska to look after his landed
interests NHtIe' bul III looU hC iC
turned TO this city and opened
steamship agency. also fire insurance
business and became a notary public
as well.
In 1850 Mr. Lederer married Miss
Antinetta Bauer. who died in 1871.
Afterwards ne married Miss Margar-
cite Kunstman. a native OF St. Jo-
seph county, and a daughter Of Chris
topher Kunstman. who emigrated
from Germany TO the United States in
1919 One daughter. Anna, was born
TO the first marriage. while by the sec
ond there were three children: Her
hert Alma and lima