OBITUARY.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2540, 21 October 1904, Page 5

OBITUARY.

THE LATE MR F. W. F. GEISOW. Although not altogether unexpected, the town learned with deep regret yesterday morning of the death of Mr' Franz William Frederick Geisow, clerk uf the Borough Council, a position which he had capably filled since his appointment some 14 years ago. Early in June last Mr Geisow contracted slight congestion of the lungs and within a few days thereafter symptoms of gangrene made their appearance, which caused great uneasiness to his family. As time went on the disease, though stayed somewhat in the earlier stages by medical assistance, made its melancholy way and became within the last few weeks so advanced and serious as to efface every gleam of hope of bis ultimate recovery, and after close on four months of illness, attended during the greater part of which time by much pain and suffering, Mr Geisow sank slowly under the disease and died at half past six yesterday morning. As a mark of respect for the memory of deceased the flags on the Library buildings, County Council Chambers and other public and private places of business were flying at half mast when the sad news became known. Mr Geisow, who had reached the age of 72 years, leaves a wife and a family of three daughters and one son, all grown up. The deceased gentleman, who was born on the 2nd August, 1832, at Frankfort-on-Main, was the second son of the late Dr F. L. Geisow of that city. He was one of eight children, five boys and three girls, only four of whom are now living, one being in London, two at Frankfort-on-Main <md one in the colony, the latter being Mr Fritz Geisow, civil engineer, of Auckland, who came to Queenstown on Friday last. Mr Geisow received a very liberal education in his ni.tive city and at the age of 20 years he accepted a good position in one of the first merchant firms at Antwerp, where he remained for ten years. In 1863 he came out to New Zealand, landing at the Bluff. After visiting Duneain and Greymouth, in both of which places he engaged for a short time in business, he directed his way to this district, settling in Queenstown in 1866. He then took the position of bookkeeper to Mr B. Hallenstein for 5 or 6 years, and also acted in the same capacity for Hallenstein and Robertson's flour mills. When in the early seventies Mr Hallenstein relinquished business in Queen-f"vn Mr Geisow set up on his own acco,:..as a financial, commission and insurance agent, and accountant, etc., in addition to which he has of late years occupied various public positions of trust. Amongst these were those of deputy official assignee, town clerk, and secretary of the Wakatipu Hospital Board. In 1871 Mr Geisow married Miss Mary Fraser, daughter of Mr Robert Fraser of Melbourne. Deceased took a lively interest in school matters, being for a number of years a prominent member of the local public school committee, of which body he was several times chairman. He was a Mason and was also one of the oldest members of the Oddfellows Lodge in this district, and it may be said it was mainly owing to his instrumentality that it is in such a good financial position at the present time. He was also a Justice of the Peace. Deceased was closely associated with the Presbyterian Church since its establishment here, being for a great number of years one of the elders of the church and also holding the position of secretary and treasurer for some fifteen years past. He also acted as superintendent of the Sunday school. Mr Geisow was fairly prosperous in business, but was one of the sufferers in the unhappy failure of the Bank of N.Z., in which he held a large number of shares. The combination of qualities which Mr Geisow possessed is not commonly found in an individual. In his occupation of public positions he was at all times a painstaking, courteous and busy officer. Ho was a man of the strictest integrity and he had the complete confidence of the members of Borough Council and other institutions of which he so capably filled the positions of clerk or secretary, and a more systematic man in respect of his work it would be hard to find. He was a most kind-hearted man and was honored by all his acquaintances and friends, of whom he had a very large number, and whose sincere sympathy the bereaved family will have in their sorrow. The funeral takes place to-morrow afternoon at 3 o'clock, when deceased's remains will be interred in the Queenstown cemetery.

The very distressing news has just been received by Mr Wesley Turton of this town of the death of his eldest son, Gerald, which took place on the 29th August last at the Philippines, where he was on service as second lieutenant of the 22nd Infantry of the United States Army. Deceased young gentleman, who was just 30 years of age, received his education at the Boys' High School,Dunedin,and Otago University, since which time he has held various positions in the colony and elsewhere, the last four and a half years of his life being served in the above army. The following particulars, which are a copy of the Regimental Order, speak for themselves of deceased : " Lieutenant Turton had been with the regiment only a few months but during that time he had firmly established himself in the confidence, respect and esteem of all who knew him. His conduct while a member cf this regiment was characterised by strict attention to duty, and courage, gallantry and coolness in action. Lieutenant Turton was born in Xew Zealand on July 15th, 1874. He entered the U.S. Army on April 18th, 1900, and served is private, sergeant, first sergeant and battalion sergeant-major, 16th Infantry, until October 9th, 1903, when he was commissioned as second lieutenant and assigned to the 22nd Infantry. The officers of the regiment will wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days."

We are sure Mr and Airs Turton and family will have the sympathy of a large circle of friends and acquaintances in their bereavement.

Andrew Horan, a resident of some 20 years' standing at the Head of the Like, passed away at the Wakatipu Hospital on Wednesday. It appears that deceased, who was 72 years of age, slipped in the kitchen of the Mt. Earnslow Hotel on Monday last and fell against the range, sustaining thereby injuries to his head. At the time he did not seem much the worse for the accident, but next day took very ill and had to be conveyed to Queenstown in the Antrim, and thence to the Hospital, where he died next day. Deceased, who came from Ireland to the colony many years ago, was by avocation a miner, but of late years he had been in possession of an old age pension. Mr Horan was a man of many good qualities and was universally respected. His remains were interred in the Frankton cemetery yesterday afternoon.