Joseph Gutschow died at the Blair hospital Sunday afternoon from the results of a fall Saturday, when he broke his hip and injured his shoulder. He was taken to the hospital Sunday morning to see if anything could be done for him but he sank rapidly and death result at 5:49. The funeral was held at the house at 2 o'clock this afternoon, Rev. Henry Werning officiating.

Mr. Gutschow was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, but the exact date isn't known. As near as could be ascertained he was in his 86th year. He applied for his citizenship papers in New York City in 1869 and afterward located in St. Louis, where he worked at his trade as a wagon maker. He came to Blair in the early 80's and conducted the Merchants Hotel for many years, retiring about 1908.

In 1895, he went back to Germany and was married to Sophie Wagner August 29th of that year. But one son, Walter was born to them, who survives him, with the wife and a grandson born the second day after his death. Four brothers and one sister have all passed on before him. The pallbearers were C. A. Schmidt, N. Thone, Henry Grimm, Ed Mathiesen, J. E. Maber and T. T. Osterman.

#2 Printed in the April 17, 1924 Enterprise, Blair, Nebraska

Joseph Gutschow, an old inhabitant of Blair, died at the Blair hospital on last Sunday, April 13, at 5:40 P.M. being past eighty six years of age.

He was born in Mechlenburg, Germany and came to America in his early manhood, settling first in New York state where in 1869 he took out his first citizenship papers. He later went to St. Louis Missouri, and in that place in 1875 he took out his second papers.

Being a wagon maker by trade he started a manufacturing establishment which he carried on for years in St. Louis on the ground where the Union depot now stands.

He came to Washington county in the early eighties and in 1832 he returned to Germany for a visit. On his return he went into business in Blair and up to a few years ago was actively engaged in the hotel business.

In 1895 he returned to Germany and while there married Sophia Wegener and returned to Blair with his bride.

He leaves to mourn him his wife, and one son besides other relatives and friends.

The funeral services conducted by Rev. Werning of the German Lutheran church and interment was made in the Blair cemetery.

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

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