OBIT: Albert Conrad GLESSNER, Lieut., 1931, Meyersdale, Somerset County, PA

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Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

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ALBERT CONRAD GLESSNER

Taps For Lieut. Conrad Glessner
Popular World War Veteran of Meyersdale Answers Last Roll Call

  Lieut. Albert Conrad Glessner, a popular World War veteran and member of 
Charles E. Kelley Post, American Legion, died at his home at 323 Broadway, 
Meyersdale, late Monday afternoon, after a long and distressing illness, and was 
buried this (Thursday) afternoon with military and Masonic honors, as well as 
with the rites of the Reformed Church.
  He was born in the Meyersdale community and spent nearly all of his forty 
years of life here.  As boy and man there was no member of the community ever 
held in higher esteem.  His character was most exemplary during his entire 
career and as long as he was physically able he was a most worthy, useful and 
industrious citizen.
  During his young manhood he was an efficient clerk in his uncle Albert C. 
Glessner's store.  Later he was a successful traveling salesman, in which 
occupation he continued until his health gave way more than three years ago.  A 
blood clot in the brain is supposed to have been the cause of his physical 
collapse which was sudden and left him a helpless invalid.
  All his lifetime he was a faithful and active member of the Reformed Church.  
He was also a Mason of high degree and by virtue of his military service he was 
a loyal member of the American Legion.  As churchman, lodgeman and soldier, his 
zeal was unbounded and unwavering, wherefore, church, lodge and military order 
joined in paying him deserved tribute when his mortal coil was consigned to the 
tomb.
  The funeral services in Amity Reformed Church this (Thursday) afternoon were 
largely attended.  A quartet composed of Misses Sue Baer, Lepha Suder and 
Messrs. Karl Leith and W. C. Price, sang some beautiful hymns, and Rev. B. A. 
Black delivered a very feeling funeral discourse which he prefaced with a very 
full and accurate biographical sketch which is reproduced herewith, as follows:

Honorable and useful Life

  Albert Conrad Glessner, son of Charles F. Glessner deceased, and Anna Poschman 
Glessner, was born at Meyersdale, August 19, 1890.  He was baptized September 6, 
1890, by Dr. William Rupp, and confirmed April 10, 1903, by Dr. A. E. Truxal.
  The greater part of his life was spent in Meyersdale.  Here he grew up, 
attended the public schools, was graduated from High School, formed his most 
abiding friendships, received his religious training, and was surrounded by 
those influences which shaped his character and fitted him for an honorable and 
useful life.
  October 19, 1919, he was united in marriage with Miss Maud Saylor, a childhood 
acquaintance and schoolmate.  Soon after his marriage he located in 
Connellsville, where he remained for five years.  During all his active life he 
was a salesman, and was eminently successful in his work.  Soon after locating 
in Connellsville, he transferred his membership from Amity Church, Meyersdale, 
to Trinity Church, Connellsville, in all of whose activities he took an active 
interest.  The Church recognized his ability and capacity for leadership, 
elected him Elder, Sunday school superintendent, choir director, and delegate to 
Classis and Synod.
  In 1925 a business opportunity which he welcomed made it possible for him to 
return to his native town.  He accordingly purchased a home and settled with his 
family in Meyersdale.  He pursued his work successfully until September, 1927, 
when he was stricken with the illness from which he never recovered in any 
measurable degree.  After his return to Meyersdale he again became actively 
identified with his home church and was elected superintendent of the Sunday 
school which he conducted with marked success.

Served His Country

  During the World War he enlisted in the service of his country October 6, 
1917, at Rockwood, and was sent to Camp Lee for training. May 15, 1918, he was 
recommended for the Officer's Training Corps, and sent to Camp Sevier, S.C.  
From there he was transferred to the Officer's Training School at Camp Gordon.  
He received his commission as Second Lieutenant, August 26, 1918, and was sent 
to Camp Sherman, Chillicothe, Ohio, at which place he was honorably discharged 
December 8, 1918.

Stricken by Paralysis

  September 1927 he suffered a stroke of paralysis, from which he never fully 
recovered.  He was a patient for a time at the Government hospital at Point 
Perry, Md., and in the Walter Reed Hospital, Washington, D.C.  Here he received 
every attention and care which the best doctors and nurses could give him.  He 
himself, declared repeatedly that there was absolutely nothing lacking in the 
treatment he received in this splendid hospital.  Everything that medical 
science and skilled nursing could do was done for him but without avail.
  When he learned that nothing could be done for him in the hospital, he was 
anxious to get home and spend his remaining days with his family.  During the 
long period of his invalidism, he received the most tender care and attention 
from the devoted wife and members of his family and his friends.  Nothing was 
left undone that might minister to his comfort and happiness.  But it was beyond 
human power to save his life.  He went to be with his Lord, January 19, 1931, at 
the age of 40 years, and 6 months.

Judged by Good Works

  Measured by years his was a very short life.  Length of days is a very 
inadequate standard by which to measure a life.  Character and service 
constitute a more worthy standard of measurement.  And when we think of what 
Conrad Glessner was, what he accomplished and the service he rendered to his 
family, his country and his God, we can truly say that his was not a short life, 
even though it extended only a little over two score years in time.  He attained 
a higher type of character and accomplished more worth while things in his forty 
years than many do who live for a much longer period of years.
  He is survived by his devoted wife, Maud Saylor Glessner, and three sons, 
Charles Harvey, aged 8, Albert Conrad, 5, and Frederick Saylor, 3; his mother, 
Mrs. Anna Glessner; two sisters, Lydia and Elizabeth, and many more distant 
relatives and friends.

Causes of Popularity

  Conrad Glessner was one of the most popular and best loved men that this 
community has known.   What was the secret of his popularity and why was he so 
universally loved?  There are many reasons why he was so highly esteemed.  I can 
mention only two or three:
  First - HIS SIMPLE GOODNESS.  He was one who did not made a mistake as to what 
the main business of life is.  He did not fritter away his time on trivial 
things and miss the worth while things of life.  He knew that the main business 
of life and its most abiding satisfactions are to be found in seeking the will 
of God and doing it to the best of one's ability.  Toward this end he directed 
his energies with singular fidelity and devotion.  What a tragedy it is that 
many do not realize that simple goodness, Godlikeness, to express it in other 
words, is the most important thing in life, and vainly imagine that they can 
find satisfaction and peace in some other way, and so make shipwreck of their 
lives!
  Because he believed in the supreme value of goodness he could be trusted and 
was perfectly honorable in all his dealings with his fellowmen.  Nothing 
dishonorable or mean had any appeal for him.  He was a shining example to all 
who came in contact with him.  He leaves a record behind him that others may 
well emulate.
  Second - UNSELFISHNESS IN HIS DOMESTIC LIFE.  This follows the conviction that 
simple goodness is the main business of life as night follows day.  If one is 
striving for Godlikeness of character it will manifest itself in all the 
relations of life.
  Always a dutiful son, responsive to the teachings and counsel of his parents 
and thoughtful of their wishes, he manifested the same qualities in his own 
home; when he became a husband and father his first thought was not for himself, 
but for the well being of his wife and children, to whom he was deeply devoted.
  Third - HIS SPIRIT OF REVERENCE.  Throughout his life he was sustained by an 
abiding faith in God, the Father and Creator of all things, and in Jesus Christ, 
the Master and Saviour of men.  Even as a child this spirit of reverence gave 
him distinction among children and manifested itself in devotion to the Church 
and all its interests and activities.
  He had a remarkable record of nine years continuous attendance at Sunday 
School and church without a single absence.  At an early age he became a teacher 
in the Church School, superintendent of the Church School, president of the 
Young People's Society, Elder and distinguished churchman.  The qualities which 
made him a general favorite and outstanding man in the community were the fruit 
of his Christian training and environment.  His life was a fine example of what 
Christian nurture in the home and Church can do for one who accepts it sincerely 
and earnestly.  Such lives cannot be produced without the Christian home and 
Christian Church.  The life of this dear brother should be an inspiration to all 
of us to be more faithful to the Church of Jesus Christ and to prize our holy 
religion more highly.
  
Laid to Rest

  Rev. Black concluded his discourse with some beautiful and comforting thoughts 
from the text: "For so He giveth unto his beloved sleep." - Psalm 127:2.
  The obsequies were concluded at the grave where the Masonic and American 
Legion rituals supplemented the last sad rites of the church, and a firing squad 
of the Legion and a bugler, who sounded "Taps," gave the final salute and 
farewell.
  Members of Charles E. Kelly Post, American Legion acted as pall-bearers, and 
the Post also supplied a guard of honor, color-bearers and firing squad.  There 
were many beautiful floral tributes.  Funeral Director W. C. Price had charge of 
the burial arrangements.

Meyersdale Republican, January 22, 1931