HAUS, Benjamin Franklin 1831-1873; Reading Daily Eagle - Issue No. 209 Reading, Pa., Saturday Afternoon, September 30, 1873 Obituary: Benjamin Franklin Haus - First Clerk of Select Council, Reading, Berks Co., PA Submitted by Frank & Alina Haus. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. frh1@ptdprolog.net USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. ______________________________________________________________________________________ Following is a copy of news report now in the possession of Frank R. Haus, great, great grandson of Benjamin Franklin Haus HAUS, Benjamin Franklin 1831-1873 Reading Daily Eagle - Issue No. 209 Reading, Pa., Saturday Afternoon, September 30, 1873 THE BURIAL OF B. F. HAUS THE FUNERAL SERVICES AT THE HOUSE AND CEMETERY-THE PEOPLE WHO MOURNED WITH THE FAMILY AND RELATIVES-ACTION OF COUNCILS LAST EVENING-RESOLUTIONS OF SYMPATHY BY THE BOARD OF HEALTH-THE LODGE CEREMONIES AT THE GRAVE. This afternoon at 2 o'clock, all that was left of the mortal remains of B. Frank Haus was consigned to the silent tomb of the dead. It seems almost impossible to realize the fact, yet such is nevertheless the case. This morning the body was encased in a beautiful walnut burial casket. Arrayed in the vestments of the grave, and mantled in a shroud of snowy whiteness, it was a sad sight to see the familiar features as we were wont to see and greet them while at the post of duty, now inanimate and dead. Yet so very natural and life-like was the corpse, that it had more the appearance of peaceful slumber, than cold and silent death. A beautiful wreath of white roses and immortelles rested on the breast, and thus he who had proved himself a faithful officer, a kind husband, and indulgent father and a true friend, was taken from the home of a sorrowing family and consigned to the earth. Messrs. Hawman and Douglass, the committee appointed by the Select Council last evening to make preparations for the funeral, did all in their power to perfect that arrangements. Shortly before the hour, Lieut. Lutz mustered a large detachment of the city police force, and marched to the late residence of the deceased, North 7th street. The members of the Select and Common Council, the Board of Water Commissioners, the city Treasurer, the Mayor of the city, Engineer Ray and his corps of assistants, the assistant to the city Clerk, the Treasurer of the school department, the Health Commissioner, Detective Lyon, the Board of Health and a large number of citizens, friends and relatives of the family. Representatives of Reading Lodge, No. 62, A. Y. M., Metamora Lodge, No. 17, I. O. O. F. and Goethe Lodge, No. 6, D. O. H. were also in attendance, who furnished the bearers, and conducted their very impressive ceremonies at the grave. A short service was held at the house, after which the funeral cortege proceeded to the chapel in the Charles Evans Cemetery, where the Rev. Dr. Schmucker officiated. The remains were then interred. The burial casket was a handsome octagonal shaped walnut coffin, furnished by undertaker John R. Henninger. The lid contained a neat silver plate containing the following: B. Frank Haus, Born February 27, 1831, Died September 26, 1873. There were few people present who were not sadly affected, and sincerely realized the uncertainty of life. Ten days previous to deceased's death he was regarded as a hale, hearty man. A change came over his constitution; constipation followed; physic was in vain, and a few days of serious illness ended a life that had accomplished much good. The death of Mr. Haus has indeed created a void which will not easily be filled. We sincerely mourn the loss of a kind and accommodating friend and genial gentlemen. PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCILS RELATIVE TO THE DEATH OF MR. HAUS The Select Council chamber last evening presented a picture very unlike the customary scene that visitors are accustomed to see upon the occasions of regular business meetings of the Branch. The President, Mr. Eckert, was absent, confined to his residence by serious illness, and the Secretary, City Clerk Haus, who had occupied his chair in the full vigor of health only two weeks previous, was lying in cold embrace of death. The members present appeared conscious of the sad state of affairs, and their deliberations were in full accord. Select Council was called to order at the customary hour, and on motion, Mr. Kline took the chair, and the assistant to the City Clerk, ***unreadable*** Secretary. The following gentlemen answered to their ***unreadable*** Messrs. Call, Douglass, Erb, Hawman, Seiders and Kline, President pro tem. Mr. Erb offered the following resolutions in reference to the death of B. F. Haus, Esq., Clerk to the Select Council, which were unanimously adopted: Resolved - That in the death of B. F. Haus, Esq., Clerk of the Select Council, Reading has lost one of its most estimable citizens and the City Government an official whose place will be hard to fill. Resolved - That the Select Council most deeply feels his loss. For the past ten years he has been Clerk of this body, and we bear witness to his courteous demeanor, official integrity and strict business qualifications. Resolved - That the members of this branch will attend his funeral in a body to-morrow afternoon, and that Common Council, the Mayor of the city, and the heads and members of the several departments of the City Government be also invited to participate in the funeral ceremonies. Resolved - That the Clerk's desk be draped in mourning for the space of thirty days, as a mark of respect for our deceased Clerk. Resolved - That these resolutions be spread upon the Journal of this Council, be published in the papers of the city, and a copy of the same sent to the family of the deceased. Resolved - That out of respect to the memory of the deceased this Council do now adjourn. Col. Hawman moved that a committee of two be appointed to officially inform Common Council of the death of Mr. Haus and present the above resolution. The motion was adopted, and Col. Hawman and Mr. Douglass were appointed the committee. On motion of Mr. Erb. Messrs. Hawman and Douglass were also appointed a committee to arrange for the attendance of the members of the City Government upon the funeral. Col. Hawman offered a resolution that the Assistant Secretary be empower to sign warrants for the payments of salaries and interest. Not acted on. The Council then adjourned. COMMON COUNCIL The committee from Select Council, Messrs. Hawman and Douglass, appeared and presented the resolutions in reference to the death of the Clerk of Select Council, B. F. Haus, Esq. The invitation to attend the funeral was accepted, after which Council adjourned, having resolved to transact no business out of respect to the memory of the deceased. THE BOARD OF HEALTH The Board of Health met yesterday afternoon to take action in reference to the death of its Secretary, B. F. Haus, Esq. The President appointed a committee to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of the Board on the death of Mr. Haus. These resolutions will be presented at the regular meeting to-morrow afternoon. A resolution was adopted to attend his funeral in a body, after which the board adjourned.