ANOTHER PIONEER CITIZEN PASSES PEACEFULLY AWAY

Last Tuesday morning at 4:00 o'clock the spirit of G.G.Lundt left its tenement of clay and returned the maker of all things.

Mr. Lundt had been confined to his bed since early in April from trouble superinduced by diabetes, and had been given the tenderest care by his devoted wife and family, but owing to his age and physical infirmities he had not strength to combat the disease.

Gustav Gottlieb Lundt was born in Hamburg, Germany, September 11, 1833, and came to America in 1867. He remained in New York for a year and then came to Nebraska, locating at Ft. Calhoun. Later he worked in the Rioridan hardware store in old DeSoto and came to Blair in 1869 when the town was in its infancy. He was one of the first to buy a lot in the village and engaged in the hardware business for himself, on a limited scale. In 1886 he took into partnership with him his brother-in-law, F.W. Arndt, and remained actively in business until failing eyesight and failing health in 1903 made it imperative for him to reture. The blindness grew with passing years and for a number of years previous to his death he was entirely sightless but was able to find his way about town, and until a couple of years ago when he was knocked down by an automobile, he was a familiar object on the streets, always enjoying a conservation with his friends, and was a man well posted on current events of county, state and nation.

In the year 1878 he was married to Miss Jennie C. Arndt, a sister of F.W. Arndt, still of this city. One child, Dora, was born to them. She became the wife of J.W. Sas. Mrs. Lundt died in 1885.

In 1887, Mr. Lundt went to Germany, where, at Keil, he was married to Miss Marie Lehman and brought his bride to Blair. Four children were the fruits of this marriage, Wilma, now Mrs. George H. Kellogg, of North Platte; Gustav, Bernhard and Theodore, all of whom were present when the father passed away. There also survives besides the widow and children, three grandchildren, two sons of Mrs. Kellogg, and Rudolph Sas, and one great grandchild, the little son of Rudolph. Deceased was 78 years old.

The funeral was held at the home today (Thursday), Rev. G.W.Wolters of Arlington conducting the service. The honorary pall bearers were old friends of Mr. Lundt, being Henry Struve, Peter Siert, Victor Wolff, A. F. Garske, John Kuhr and John Rahlfs; the active pall bearers were his three sons, Gustav, Bernhard and Theodore, his two sons-in-law, J.W. Sas, Geo. H. Kellogg, and his grandson, Rudooph Sas.

Interment was made in the family lot in the Blair cemetery. The funeral was largeley attended. Mr. Lundt was the oldest old settler left in the city of Blair at the time of his death.

#2-6 Sept., 1922 - The Pilot - G. G. Lundt #3-7 Sept., 1922 - The Enterprise - G. Gustave Lundt

BLAIR’S PIONEER RESIDENT GONE

BEEN A CONTINUOUS RESIDENT SINCE 1869 - BOUGHT FIRST LOTS SOLD ON TOWNSITE

The death of one of Blair’s oldest settlers occurred last Tuesday morning at four o’clock, Sept. 5, at his residence on west South street after a long and serious illness.

G. Gustave Lundt was born in Hamburg, Germany Sept. 11, 1844, and therefore was nearly 78 years of age. He came to America in 1867, and stayed in New York City for about a year before coming out west to DeSoto, Nebr., which was then a live young town with apparently a bright future ahead. Here he worked at his trade which he had learned in his mother country, that of the hardware business, with Riorden who had a store at DeSoto at this time.

When the lots were sold in Blair in 1869, Mr. Lundt was on hand and bought the first lots, a business lot and two residence lots where his family now resides.

The Riorden hardware store was moved to Blair at once, and after Mr. Riorden took in a partner, Mr. Fred Kenny, Mr. Lundt started in business for himself.

His first place of business was the location now occupied by the Mayle building, the second was where The Enterprise building now stands, and the third and last location was the present Arndt Hardware site. Here he continued for years in business, taking in F. W. Arndt as partner in 1886. In 1903, owing to his failing eyesight, he sold his interests to Mr. Arndt, who still continues the business. In 1871 he was married to Miss Jennie Arndt, oldest sister of Wm. Arndt. Her death occurred in 1886.

In the spring of 1887 Mr. Lundt and his daughter, Dora, went to Germany. In July, 1887 he was married to Miss Marie Lehmann at Kiel, Germany, and they came directly to Blair.

In 1900 Mr. and Mrs. Lundt and children spent the summer in Germany.

The deceased leaves a wife and five children who mourn his passing. The children are Mrs. Dora Sas of Pender, Nebr.; Mrs. Wilma Kellogg of North Platte, Nebr.; Gustave, Bernard and Theodore who live at home.

There are three grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Mr. Lundt made his last trip downtown on April 4, election day, when he came down to vote. Although he had not been well the past winter, he had made one trip downtown each day until this spring. His condition has been very critical for several weeks.

Funeral services were held this Thursday afternoon at 3 o’clock at the home, Rev. G. W. Wolters of Arlington having charge of the services.

The pallbearers were the sons, sons-in-law and grandson.

The honorary pallbearers were his loyal and trusted friends of the early days. Henry Struve, Peter Siert, Victor Wolff, A. F. Garske, John Kuhr and Jacob Rahlfs.

The out of town guests were Mr. and Mrs. Fred Michael and Mr. and Mrs. Lynn Parrish of Tekamah; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Reyzlik of Fremont; John Schmahling and Mr. and Mrs. Julius Soll of West Point; Mr. and Mrs. C. P. Kildahl of Omaha; Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Sas and Mr. and Mrs. John Sas of Pender; Mrs. Carrie Londelius of Spokane, Wash.; and Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Kellogg of North Platte.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

Find a Grave Memorial #113689649