Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-04-18
JOHN GREER PASSES AWAY
PASSED AWAY FRIDAY AFTER
LONG ILLNESS.
Had Been Confined to His Bed For
the Past Eighteen Months.


abs pioneers last Friday afternoon
about $3.50 o'clock when John Greer
passed to his reward at his home in
this city, after having been i'll for
the past eighteen months, and con-
fined to his bed most of that time.
John Greer was a native of Mon
treal, Canada, and was born there
August "a, 1882. He was reared on
a farm, living with his father CHS
mother having died in 1850 until
he became p years of age. He then
went to Port Henry, Essex County,
New York, where for two years he
was uperintendent of an iron ore
bed In 1885 Mr.. Greer came to
Iowa and May 18th settled at De-
corah. Here he first commenced
work in a mandatory. He went
into business with the late Henry
Thomas on the corner on West Water
Seed Co. building formerly owned by
j. j. Marsh, and they manufactured
and sold wagons, plows and tanning
mills. This building burned down
in the COS. He afterwards Joined
the firm OF Ammon, Scott & Co.,
foundry and agricultural manufac-
tory business, and the firm became
Ammon, Greer & Co. They did bust
ness in the building opposite Dahl
Mr.. Greer retired from the firm. In
1870 the firm of Ammon & Greer
purchased the stone MILL now owned
by Bernatz Bros, then conducted by
Henry Heivly.
In 1874 Mr.. Greer in company
with Jas. Hunter erected the large
brick Touring mill in the east part
of DEBORAH, at q cost of 100000, and
conducted it for some time. They
manufactured over 10000 barrels of
-four annually. Mr.. Greer disposed
of his interests in December 1881,
and H. Greer became proprietor.
In 1888 Mr.. Greer moved out on
the farm now owned by Roman Bros,
l21a miles southwest Of DEBORAH and
| lived there about twelve years, then
moved back here and went into the
implement business with Joseph
Halves for a number OF years. He re-
years ago.
Mr.. Greer was a member of the
county board OF supervisors some
years ago. 1t was he who superin-
tended the building of the drive from
the West DEBORAH bridge to the
Tavenir residence on the West Side.
In the year 1857 he was united in
marriage to Miss Hannah Stringer, a
native of Canada, and six children
were born to the union They are r.
H., Sioux City; II. r., Dakota City,
Neb.; Mrs. Mary Felt, Chicago; Miss
Lillian, DEBORAH; w. j., Helena,
Mont. Mrs. Elizabeth Parman, who
passed away in 1905. The wife and
mother passed away in 1899. Mr..
Greer was remarked again in 1903
to Miss Cecilia Shuttalworth, who
with the above children survives.
Mr. Greer was a public spirited
land progressive citizen. He was al
ways interested in the growth and
advancement of DEBORAH, where he
| lived for over 60 years, and made
many substantial contributions. He
was respected and esteemed by all
who knew him for what he had
achieved and also because his activi-
! ties had been of constructive fac
tor in the development of this COM
munity. He well merited all the con-
/ fidence and trust placed in him and
| he will be remembered among the
substantial pioneer citizens OF this
city, and his death sewers another
| link in the line of old and respected
pioneers.
The funeral services were held
yesterday, Tuesday afternoon at two
o'clock from the home. Dr.. ii. ii.
Green officiated and interment was in
Phelps cemetery.