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Yes indeed, residents of Mifflinburg and vicinity were greatly shocked on Wednesday morning, March 3d, when the startling announcement was made that Mr. David Gutelius had died very suddenly at his residence on Green St. It was also a great shock to his host of friends throughout the state, when they heard of the sad affair. He was the senior member of the firm of John Gutelius and Son, one of the largest carriage and buggy establishments in Mifflinburg; was widely and well known from the large established trade, as one of the leading coach works in this state. His large acquaintance was due to his travel at times in the interest of the above firm, where he not only did an extensive business but won many warm friends by his ever pleasing and agreeable manner, linked with his fair and square business methods. His sudden death occurred as follows: Early Wednesday morning, after arising preparatory for breakfast, and while in the bathroom at his residence, he was very suddenly stricken with heart failure and fell over dead. His two daughters Misses Elythe and Lucy Gutelius hearing the noise by his fall to the floor, became alarmed and after no response to their calls to him and summons of the door by knocking summoned aid and together with Miss Annie Stine who has resided at the Gutelius home for years, tried to force open the door but with no avail, and finally resorted to their only means of access, that of taking the door off the hinges, which by great effort they managed to do, and thus gained entrance to the room, where they found Mr. Gutelius lying on the floor. Picture the scene, kind reader, and then you can realize the heart-rending effect. Their physician, Dr. Paul H. Bikle, was immediately summoned, who upon examination stated death had been caused from heart failure and was instantaneous. Mr. Gutelius had been in ill health for the last few months, but apparently not seriously ill as he was able to be about and attend to his duties at the office of the carriage works. He was at the plant Tuesday until 4 o’clock in the afternoon, and appeared to be feeling better. With his brother, Mr. Charles A. Gutelius, foreman of the blacksmithing department, was looking over the stock there, preparatory to sending in an order for goods. And in his usual cheerful mood and pleasant manner, aside from formalities with the mechanics at the works, expressed many greetings of friendship in his jovial way as he met friends on the street that day. After going home Tuesday, where pleasantness at all times reigned he was in the best of spirits, and the night prior to the morning of his death was very cheerful, conversing freely with his daughter on general topics of the day with no signs of illness. In fact, was in the best of spirits, talking and joking with the members of the family before retiring. David F. Gutelius was the third son of the late John and Catherine Keen Gutelius, both deceased. He was born in Mifflinburg Jan. 17, 1855 and died March 3, 1915, hence was 60 years, 1 month and 14 days. After receiving his education in the public schools of Mifflinburg and at an early age he entered his father’s employ in the coach works in this place and by close application to his duties rapidly learned all branches and became a very efficient mechanic in all departments, and soon acquired a complete and thorough knowledge of the business. On coming of age he was made manager, and later accepted as a partner. Was regarded and has demonstrated by close application to his work, one of the foremost and ablest businessmen in this vicinity. He has well earned the respect and admiration of the entire community and broadcast is heralded as such. After the death of Mr. John Gutelius, father of the deceased, another capable member was added to the firm of John Gutelius and son, namely, Mr. John W. Gutelius, his brother. Under the present firm name of John Gutelius and Son. Since the death of Mr. David Gutelius subject of our sketch, we learn and are pleased to state the business will be carried on in the usual high standard by the efficient surviving member of the firm, Mr. John W. Gutelius. This firm is not only one of Mifflinburg’s largest and leading industries, but ranks among the best up to-date vehicle manufacturers in this and other states. Is one of the oldest established in Mifflinburg or this locality forty odd years of successful existence. In 1894 Mr. F. David Gutelius was nominated on the democratic ticket for burgess. And here demonstrates his general popularity for this being a strong Republican community, and in spite of the customary Republican community, and in spite of the Republican majority he was elected by a large vote. A through acquaintance with the people in which his whole life has been passed had served to strengthen the confidence in his ability to discharge any duty that might become his. That he had fully met the expectations of his constituents is a well known and in disputable fact evidenced by his general popularity with all classes irrespective of party. On Feb. 27, 1879 Mr. Gutelius married Miss Clara Zimmerman daughter of Jacob Zimmerman one of our aged highly respected and well-known citizens. From this union were born three: Misses Edythe and Lucy, residing at home and Nelson, a civil engineer in the employ of the Canadian Pacific Railroad Company, survive, and have lent their cheering presence to this hospitable home. On July 19, 1888 the wife and mother was called from earthly cares and joys and for a time thereafter the bereaved father and children resided with Mr. Jacob Zimmerman father-in-law and grandparent, but as the children became older, Mr. Gutelius with them, moved into their present beautiful and modern residence on Green Street where the family passed a contented and very pleasant home life. Now sad the hour is and may seem that father has been called home, may God strengthen these devoted children, brothers, sisters and loved ones to bear with fortitude their deep affliction. Also the following brothers and sisters survive: Thomas O. Gutelius, Burgess of Mifflinburg and foreman of the woodworking and shipping; Charles A. Gutelius, foreman in the blacksmith department of the coach works; Anna M. wife of Forrest Leitzell, of Scottdale; Joseph K. a traveling salesman for Columbus Varnish Company; John W., a member of the firm; Sara Jane, Ida M., and Lillian M. all of Mifflinburg. Fraternally the subject of our sketch was a member of the Crescent Lodge No. 179, I.O.O.F, this place, Mifflinburg Lodge No. 370 F. & A.M. in which he was a Past Master, and Shriner Iram Temple of Wilkes-Barre, and a 32d degree mason. He was also a member of the Royal Arcanum, Lewisburg Lodge. It can well be stated of Mr. Gutelius that his generous and big heart (an expression very appropriate and justifiable here) was manifested at all times to the poor and needy, and in all charitable and benevolent causes his name was always foremost and largely demonstrated by his cheerful and abundant helpfulness. To all man and womankind, he was always courteous and pleasant, and to his employees was at all time in close touch with them, yes indeed, it can well be voiced, as they, one and all have stated, I have never worked for a better, kinder and more generous boss than David Gutelius and oh how we will miss him. Yes indeed, men of the carriage works, we can one and all, as citizens of Mifflinburg and his large acquaintance elsewhere, voice the above sentiments so expressed by you. And further in the, death of Mr. Gutelius you have not only lost a good boss but the town and community a valuable, noble and good citizen who was genial, generous to fault, always evidencing an interest in municipal affairs as well as contributing to the welfare of the community. The children, God strengthen them as well as brother and sisters, and all, for they know the loss of this dear father and brother, better than we in our humble way, can express our heartfelt sentiments. Nevertheless a comforting fact to them is that he is now resting peacefully in his Heavenly Home with loved ones gone before, awaiting their coming and at last a general reuniting above were peace reigneth for evermore. The funeral services were held at the late residence on Green Street on Saturday afternoon at 4 o’clock, conducted by his pastor, Rev. Samuel Fox, pastor of the Methodist Church after which the remains were tenderly removed to the Woodlawn cemetery for interment in the family vault. The pallbearers were members of the Masonic Order, who had charge of the services at the grave. The many floral tributes were rare and most beautiful from relatives and friends, the different Fraternal Orders and mechanics of the coach works, and others, which were evidence in some slight degree of the esteem in which the deceased was held by those who knew his worth. Very large attended was the service by relatives and friends from far and near and as a token of respect all vehicle manufacturers, stores and places of business were closed during the hours of service, and the funeral. © Copyright 2010 by Mifflinburg Telegraph Weekly Newspaper Top of Page |
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