WYANDOT COUNTY OHIO - OBIT: GAA, John 
***************************************************************************
OHGENWEB NOTICE:  All distribution rights to this electronic data are
reserved by the submitter.  Reproduction or re-presentation of copyrighted
material will require the permission of the copyright owner.
***************************************************************************
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by
Norman E. Smith, Jr. 
NormanSmith@worldnet.att.net
July 14, 1997
***************************************************************************


  GAA -In this city, on Saturday, Oct. 14, of paralysis of the heart,
John Gaa, sen., aged 72 years, 8, months and 6 days.
  The announcement of Mr. Gaa's death was a shock to the whole community,
as he was known to be in apparent sound health as late as Saturday morning.
His life terminated suddenly and while in the association of his friends
and neighbors.
  In company with Mr. Matthias Brown the deceased was engaged in making
cider at Mr. Stecher's press in the southern part of town. Mr. Gaa had been
shoveling apples into the press and becoming fatigued sat down on a sill to
rest. He picked up an apple and ate it, and joked freely with those about
him. Suddenly and without any warning he fell forward on his face. He was
picked up and restoratives applied but the old gentleman almost instantly
expired. A physician was summoned, who made an examination and pronounced
Mr. Gaa dead. His death occurred shortly before 12 o'clock, and two hours
later his body was conveyed to his late residence on north seventh street.
The aged wife of deceased and the children became almost frantic over the
announcement of his death, but neighbors and friends gathered in and did
all in their power to alleviate the sorrow of the grief stricken family.
  The deceased was a native of Hockenheim, Baden, and in company with his
now aged widow, came to Upper Sandusky direct from Germany in the spring
of 1847. The same ship also brought the Gottfreid family and the Fetter
family. Steam navigation was not then in use and the vessel was on the
water 32 days. Mr. and Mrs. Gaa had a small family of children, but they
began working diligently at whatever their hands could find to do, and in
this manner provided themselves with the necessaries of life, and for many
months Mr. Gaa worked for 50 cents a day. The deceased was of a kindly and
benevolent disposition, and the poor and needy never applied to him in vain.
Immigration to this country was quite extensive in the years following Mr.
Gaa's arrival, and as there were but few Germans in this locality at that
date, many of the new arrivals applied to Mr Gaa for aid, and none worthy
were turned away. Although the deceased gave liberally of his means he
accumulated quite a vast amount of property, and at his death was in
independent circumstances. He was a good citizen and enjoyed the respect
and esteem of all who knew him. Five children survive him, of whom there
are Mrs. Adam Tracht, Mrs. Adam Katzenmeyer, Joseph, John and Maggie, the
latter being the only one unmarried. The oldest son, Frank, started for the
west about 31 years ago, and from that time to this nothing has been heard
of him, and it is not known whether he is living or dead. All day Sunday a
constant stream of people called to take a look at the dead face and pay
their respects to one whom they had esteemed and admired in life for his
many good deeds of hand and heart. The funeral took place from St. Peter's
Catholic church on Monday morning, the services being conducted by Rev.
Charles Braschler, after which the remains were interred in the Catholic
cemetery.