The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-12-21
kN0llENBERc
CLAIMED BY
DEATH; AGED
SEvENTY-0NE
One Of City's Leading Busi-
ness Men Succumbs After
Months Illness-Born and
Spent Entire Life Here.
BEGAN BUSINESS 1866


eastern Indtana's pioneer merchant
and head OF the George H. Knollen-
berg company. which he founded in
1865, died OF leakage OF the heart at
khis home at midnight.
His death removes one Of the lead
ing dry goods merchants OF this sec
tion OF Indiana and one Of the business
leaders Of Richmond. He had been Ill
for about a month. For the last week
his death was expected momentarily.
Following his attendance OF conven-
tion In New York at which three large
Lutheran church bodies were merged.
his health failed rapidly.
He died In the house In which he
was horn on South Fourth and B
streets.
Funeral services will be conducted
from the residence at 2:30 o'clock
Monday afternoon and will be private.
Friends may call any time Sunday aft
ernoon and evening. Burial will be in
Lutheran cemetery. The family has
requested that flowers be omitted.
Opens store In 1866.
Mr.. knollenbergs career In Rich
mond is closely associated with the
growth of tho city from a small town
to It's present proportions. He was
identified with almost every movemen,
that wrought this change in the In
dustrial, commercial, educational and
cultural phases Of the city's develop
ment.
Opening a dry goods store in 1855
with borrowed capital. in a one-stOry
frame building. Mr.. Knollenberg in the
fifty-two years OF MS active career de-
veloped the concern into it's present
proportions. Failure OF his enterprise
was predicted by mary friends IN 1866
because he ventured to establish a
store east Of Eighth street. but the
additions which he was forced to ac-
auire to take care Of his expanding
business proved the soundness OF his
judgment.
Public Spirited Man.
From the day that he opened hiE
store and thus became identified with
the public life OF the community, Mr..
Knollenberg took an active interest In
public affairs. His participation In the
educational. musical. cultura! and char
table organization Of the city was per-
sonal and active. He was a leader in
Lutheran church affairs. prominently
connected with st. Paul's church, and
for many years treasurer Of the Gen
erel Synod. He was director Of the
Commercial club for many years and
Jealous in the promotion Of enterprises
that brought new enterprises to Rich
mond or furthered its development.
He is survived by widow. two sons,
Walter and Bernhardt. and one daugh-
ter. Margaret.
President Dill and Secretary Ullman
Of the Richmond Commercial Club to-
day jointly made the following state
mert concerning George II. Knollen-
berg. Proper resolutions would be
drawn up later. they said.
Geo. Knollenberg was a man of
vision. His body, brain and soul
helped others. Commerce meant gen.
erosity to him because he gave his
all to the community. His personality
will ever be fresh in the minds of his
fellow-citizens. His family may count
on the grateful remembrance Of the
entire community"
Merchants Resolution.
The following resolutions on the
death Of Mr.. Knollenberg were pre-.
pared by committee from the Mer-
chants Association appointed by Pres
ident J. F, Hornady, composed of Lee
b. Nusbaum. w. II. Romey. II. c. Has
emeier and +. NJ. Haas:
"The merchants of Richmond de-
sire to join in an expression of esteem
for Mr. George Fl. Knollenberg, one of
their number. who has closed his final
transaction and passed to his Master
to receive the reward of his steward
ship. Mr.. knollenberg, save one. was
the Oldest active merchant in the city.
He started at the very foot Of the lad
der in his business career, and in the
splendid record of over fifty years of
merchandising there has never been a
whisper Of unfairness either toward
his competitors or his customers. He
was religiously honest and every
transaction Of his could be accepted
with absolute confidence in it's fair
ness. He was ever ready to join his
competitors in any movement for their
general welfare. but frowned upon
any questionable and undignifed en-.
terprise for stimulating trade. His
generous support along legitimate
lines has made 1t possible to develop
the retail business of the city on a
sound basis and gave permanence to
IL.
His success as merchant is attri-
butable to his honesty, courtesy and
good judgment in anticipating the
needs OF his customers, especially was
he concerned that all merchandise
should bear the stamp OF good quality.
fCop4;nued an Pace Ten\