The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-20
HENRY A. GUETTEL
Death of Prominent Merchant
Ends q Remarkable Business
Career.

The death of Henry A Guettel, of
the Auerbach & Guettel clothing stores
Topeka, Kansas City and Emporia-
| in Waterbury, VT, Thursday night,
meant the end of a lifelong friendship,
the cutting off of a. remarkable BUSH
ness career, and the loss of a valuab le
and admired man to Kansas City and
Topeka. His friendship that meant so
much in his life was that with H. A.
Auerbach, his brother-in-law and part
ner in business. Mr.. Auerbach mar
ried Miss Martha Guettel.
When Mr.. Guettel and Mr.. Auer-
bach were young men in a clothing
store in Chicago their friendship be-
gan. The two men founded clothing
stores in Topeka, Kansas City. St.
Joseph and Emporia, known as the
Palace Clothing stores. OF late years
Mr.. GuetteI has been the head of the
Kansas City stores. while Mr.. Auer-
bach directed the Topeka business.
Business success. according to Mr..
Guettel. was founded upon four rules,
namely: > Diligence and thoroness.
loyalty and reticence, clean life and
hard work. He possessed such quail
ties in addition to his remarkable
business ability. From position as
stock boy in Chicago he arose to the
enviable position of being one of the
most prominent merchants of she
middle v est. with a fortune of more
than a million dollars.
His success and his service to others,
often very great, were matters con-
corning which Mr.. Guettel disliked any
publicity. He often gave a helping
hand to his employees and helped
others struggling to get ahead, but
wanted no praise for his kindness.
Mr.. GuetteI had not been in good
health for many months, and his tour
of the White mountains by motor had
been planned to benefit his health.
Those in the party were Mr. and Mrs.
Guettel and Mr.. and Mrs. julius J.
Levy. They had paid a, visit to Mr..
Guetters son, Edward, who has been
in a boys training camp at Paradox,
N. Y.
He Served Community.
The death of Mr.. Guettel. who was
but 81 years old, is a shock to the
business circles of Kansas City.
Mr.. Guetters death is a tragedy to
Kansas City" a Kansas City banker
commented. He had no equal as a
merchant, the kind of man who serves
the community by building a splendid
business and keeping himself out of
the foreground"
Mr.. Guettel for many years spent a
fourteen hour day at his work. Near
ly always, until his health began to
fail, he was at his office ten minutes
before opening time.
Business and club activities of Mr..
Guettel included dictatorship in the
Commerce Trust company. member
ship in the Chamber of Commerce, the
Midday club. the Progress club, the
lakewood Country club and the Elks'
lodge. He was prominent in the B'Nai
Jehudah temple of Kansas City.
r His elder son. Arthur, is manager
of the Topeka Palace Clothing store
Mrs. Guettel survives her husband,
and other survivors are: Arthur and
Edward. sons, a sister, Miss Rebecca
Guettel of Chicago, and two brothers,
N. Guettel of Emporia and ]. Guettel
of Chicago.
H. A. Auerbach is travelling in Eu-
rope this summer but probably will
return much sooner than he had
planned. owing to the death of his
business partner.