A. F. Garske, Veteran Tailor, Buried Here

Born In Germany In 1844.Lacked One Day Of 97th Anniversary

A. F. Garske died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. William Gibson of Omaha, last Sunday, February 9th. Had he lived one more day he would have reached his 97th anniversary.

Deceased was born in Germany, February 10, 1844, and came to America in 1868 and to Blair in 1880. After his arrival here he opened up a men’s furnishing and tailoring, establishment which he continued to operate for 57 years.

His family, of three daughters and one son, was reared and educated in Blair and still make pilgrimages back to the scenes of their childhood, which they hold in highest respect.

Mrs. Garske passed away in 1917, but the husband continued his business, serving the old customers of long years and doing a nice business.

Two daughters reside in Chicago and one daughter and the son reside in Omaha. Long after the children had established themselves in home of their own, he continued his work, proud of his independence, but in 1937 when he was 93 years of age his children persuaded him to close his business and he went to live with his youngest daughter, Mrs. William Gibson of Omaha.

Deceased was a good citizen, a good father and a faithful friend and he had a host of warm friends among the older people who knew him in the yester years.

Funeral rites were held Wednesday, February 12, at 3:00 o’clock p.m. from the Campbell Mortuary with Rev. Robert Hastings of the local Congregational church officiating and interment was made in the Blair cemetery.

All of the children were present except one daughter from Chicago, who was suffering from the effects of a recent accident. Thus another old settler, who had served his time in the most honorable way, fulfilling his mission as an exemplary citizen, husband and father, has passed to his reward.

The children are Mrs. Harriet Frahm and Mrs. Alma Ivison of Chicago, Mrs. William Gibson and Reinhold Garske of Omaha.

#2 Pilot Tribune 13 Feb 1941

Garske, Tailor, Is Dead At Age 97

Veteran Tailor, In Blair 56 Years, Dies In Convalescent Home

A. F. Garske, 97, who operated a tailor shop in Blair more than half a century died Sunday at a convalescent home in Omaha. He had gone to Omaha four years ago.

For 56 years located on Walker avenue south of the Victor Wolff card parlor, Mr. Garske in his prime furnished suits for the best-dressed men of Blair, and had a widespread reputation as a tailor. In later years, when tailor-made suits came into vogue, Mr. Garske’s business fell off sharply, but he continued to maintain his small shop and was a familiar figure on Blair’s streets each day.

Born in Germany in 1844, Mr. Garske came to the United States in 1868 and moved to Blair in 1880.

Survivors include a son, Reinhold Garske, in Omaha, and three daughters, Mrs. W. D. Gibson, Omaha, and Mrs. Harriett Frahm and Mrs. Alma Ivison, both of Chicago. There are nine surviving grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at the Campbell mortuary here at 3 p.m. yesterday, interment following in Blair cemetery.

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

FindaGrave # 114681925