OBIT: George DONGES, 1930, Meyersdale, Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

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GEORGE DONGES

Sudden Passing of George Donges
Meyersdale Pioneer Businessman Succumbs to Apoplexy at Age of 76

  George Donges, veteran cattleman and pioneer businessman of Meyersdale, passed 
away at 6 o'clock this (Thursday) morning in his home in the Donges building at 
the corner of Center Street and Memorial Square, as the result of apoplexy.
  Mr. Donges was the oldest active businessman in Meyersdale at the time of his 
death.  He was up and going until stricken less than 48 hours before his death.
  Tuesday noon he was in the meat market of his son, Edward L. Donges, 
conversing with the latter.  After a short conversation he left the market, 
presumably to go to his apartments upstairs.  He was apparently in his usual 
state of health when he parted from his son, and that was the last conversation 
any member of his family had with him.
  Since the marriage of his youngest daughter, Mildred, Mr. Donges lived alone 
in his apartments.  It was not until 7 o'clock Wednesday morning that he was 
found unconscious in his living quarters.  It is supposed that he suffered a 
stroke of apoplexy some time Tuesday evening, but no one will ever know just how 
long he lay unconscious before discovery of his plight was made.
  He showed some slight signs of recognizing those watching by his bedside on 
Wednesday, but he was unable to move or speak.  He remained in a state of coma 
until he passed peacefully away on Thursday morning.  Undertaker J. L. Tressler 
prepared the body for burial.  Funeral services will be held in the apartments 
in which he died at 10 o'clock Saturday morning, after which he will be laid to 
rest in Union Cemetery.  His pastor, Rev. J. Luther Frantz, will conduct the 
obsequies.
  Mr. Donges is survived by five sons and two daughters, namely, Emily, Mrs. 
Oscar Allen, at present with her husband in Tucson, Arizona; Clay A., of 
Meyersdale; Samuel, Friedens; Edward L., Meyersdale; William, Akron, O.; 
Stewart, Detroit, Mich., and Mildred, Mrs. Adams, of Cumberland, Md.
  His wife, who was Anna Beal, sister of the late Andrew O. Beal of Sand Patch, 
died March 16, 1912.
  Mr. Donges was born at Upper Weimar, Germany, April 7, 1854.  He came to 
America at the age of 16 years and had lived in Meyersdale ever since.  Three 
older brothers, Frederick, Jacob and Henry, preceded him to this country.  Upon 
his arrival here he went to work for his brother Henry who was conducting a meat 
market in Meyersdale.
  He worked several years for his brother, during which time he saved three-
fourths of his wages until he had enough money to start in the butchering 
business for himself.  He proved to be a successful businessman and in the 
course of time became one of the leading butchers and cattle dealers of this 
county.
  About 20 years ago he turned his meat market over to his sons, and since 
confined his activities to the buying and shipping of cattle.  He bought cattle 
chiefly in West Virginia, and was personally known to nearly all the farmers in 
at least a dozen counties of the Mountain State.  Last year he shipped 29 
carloads of beef cattle to Eastern markets, and twice as many the previous year.  
He was not only a good judge of cattle, but a fair dealer.  His word was as good 
as his bond with the farmers he dealt with.  He also bought and shipped sheep 
and lambs.  His transactions in livestock amounted to many thousands of dollars 
annually.
  Mr. Donges was also enterprising in other directions.  In 1904 he built a 
large theatre and business block, known as the Donges Opera House.  This was for 
many years the largest theatre in the county.  It was destroyed by fire March 
24, 1915, and never rebuilt.  Mr. Donges lived, however, to see another fine 
business building erected on the site of the former theatre, a fine gasoline and 
oil service station completed a few months ago and leased to the Sinclair Oil 
Company.
  Mr. Donges' business career is a fine example of the opportunities that this 
country affords for honest, industrious young men without capital.  It was not 
by chance, but by dint of industry, integrity and thrift that the poor German 
emigrant boy became a leading businessman of this community.

Meyersdale Republican, March 13, 1930