The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1920-09-28
VETERAN MERCHANT
F. ". kUECH DEAD
End Comes After Months
Illness, First in
His Life
IN BUSINESS HERE
ALMOST so YEARS
Resident of Brattlebor0 Since 1S49,
Starting Business Life as Clerk -
Widely Known to Buying Public -
Funeral Services Thursday Afternoon.

Frederick w. Kuech, "a we'll
known Main street merchant for nearly
80 years died in the Brattleboro Memorial
hospital about IL o'clock last night OF
brights disease and heart trouble. lie
had been in i'll health about month";
and went to the hospital Sept. 20 for
treatment with the expectation of re-
turning to his home in few days.
Mr.. Kuech was born in Boston Jan.
2S. 1876. one of three children of William
and Elizabeth Kuech The family moved
to Brattleboro in 1S47 and Ar. hueeh
attended the schools here. When mere
boy he began his mercantile career as a
clerk for H. +. Houghton, and later
worked for Houghton & Snow. After a
few years the firm of Houghton, Spencer
& Co. was formed Mr.. Kuech becoming
a member In 1878 this company dis
solved and Mr.. Houghton and Mr.. kueeh
formed a partnership, conducting the
business under the name of Houghton X
Kuech. on the death of Mr.. Houghton
in 1884 Mr.. kuech bought Mr.. Hough-
tons interest and became the sole pro
prietor He had since conducted the
business under the name of f. w. huech
4 Co Mr.. Kuech bought the store
March, 1916.
Mr.. Kuech catered to a large list of
customers. not only in Brattleboro but IN
surrounding towns. Aside from his dry
goods and carpet sales he had dealt ex-
/ tensively in furniture which was shipped
direct from the wholesale house TO the
| buyer. In earlier years his store was
headquarters for the families of many
, farmers who used it as a sort of rest room
after they had completed their shopping:
On Jan. /, 1889. Mr.. Kuech married
| Miss Luella c. Newton of Brattleboro,
who survives with two sons Russell y.
/ Kuech OF the Goodnow, Pearson < Hunt
department store and julius f. kuech,
who has been managing his fathers store
! the past few months, having previously
seen two years of service in France dur
ing the World war as member of the
Mallet reserve, in which he enlisted be-
/ fore the United States entered the war.
Mr.. Kuech also leaves one sister, Mrs.
George H. Russell of Brattleboro
Mr.. Kuech united with the Centre Con-
gregational church in 1862 and for many
yea1s rendered valuable service as trus-
! tee, resigning Dee. 10, 1913. lie retained
/ his interest, however, in the church,
where Mrs. Kuech is superintendent of
] the Junior department of the Sunday
+, school. He was an extensive reader and
| was well informed on current events and
public affairs in which he maintained an
interest to the last.
In his business as well as in private
life he always was courteous and cheerful
and was noted for his integrity and fidel-
i ity TO friends. He was devoted to his
business, from which he never took a va
cation, being away from his store only
when it was necessary to buy goods. He
never had lost a day through illness, the
past month being the first time in his life
he ever had employed a physician for him
self. He was patient under suffering and
held an unfaltering trust in a Supreme
Power.
The funeral will be held at the home
! ON Chase street at go o'clock Thursday
afternoon, Rev. DR.. Herbert Z. Woodin
pastor of the Centre Congregations
church, officiating. and the burial viii
take place in the family lot in Prospect
! Hill cemetery.