Reunited, H. Borgsmiller, 73, Expires Sunday Night
"Well known founder of big wholesale firm had heart attack--- Ambition fulfilled; lives to see all of his children wed."
Henry Borgsmiller, Sr., expired at in his home at Division and 23rd St. at 7 o'clock Sunday night surviving a heart attack the previous day.
Borgsmiller was born at Essen, Germany, October 8, 1867, a son of Henry, came to the States August 12, 1878, re..(reportedly?) to Du Quoin, Illinois, and ...ed (? moved) to Murphysboro in 1884. ...(the deceased) married Miss Elizabeth Borgers, daughter of Henry Borgers, Sr., November 15, 1887. ... his pioneer years here and approximately three years after his marriage the subject worked in the coal mines in Du Quoin and Murphysboro.
In 1890 he engaged in the retail grocery business in North Cherry (now Ninth street). There, ... little general store in the ... of coal mining in Murphysboro. Henry Borgsmiller found the ..ive to a remarkably successful business life and reinforced it ...initiative and the will to live an exemplary life.
In February 1896, he bought the W. C. Kent grocery business and building in Walnut Street. In 1902 he was identified in the ownership of the Borgsmiller-Daniel Wholesale Grocery Co. in North Ninth Street, removed to St. Louis in early 1903 and returned here in August, 1903 and organized the Borgsmiller Wholesale Grocery Company in North 17th Street.
A builder, every inch of him, Henry Borgsmiller Produce Co. in 1918, and organized the Murphysboro Grocery Company in April 1921. This latter company absorbed the produce company after the death of Herman Borgsmiller, the founder's son.
With the Borgsmiller wholesale business well established and in direction of the trustworthy hands and minds of his sons brought up in the business, the father turned to other things to do.
Fruit farming appealed to him and during the last few years of his life he developed in excess of 1,000 acres of land for fruits.
His official career consisted in one term as a city commissioner for Murphysboro during the commission form of government, and served one term on the Murphysboro Township High School board.
He was vice-president and a director of the First National bank for several years up to 1930, and had been a stockholder in the Citizen's State and Savings bank.
He held considerable interest in the local building and loan associations some years ago and was an early member of the Buster Brown park board.
Interwoven in his busy life was the unbreakable web of devotion to his home and his faith.
He was a disciplinarian -- kindly, frank, tireless -- with a bracing word or a giving hand for a worth- while friend in need, and a man whose energetic interest in the building of his own business and community won him general admiration many years ago.
With him through a long life remained the helpmate of his choice, who celebrate their golden wedding day, November 15, 1937. Mrs. Borgsmiller expired March 10, 1937. Left to him then were the sons and daughters. They are: Henry Borgsmiller, Jr., Mrs. John Schoenberger, Sr., Joe and William, all of Murphysboro; Mrs. Albert Thill of Peoria, Ill., Mrs. Clyde Graeff, and John, Frederick, Theodore, and Charles , of Murphysboro. (A son Frank died in infancy. Herman expired in 1930.) There remain also 24 grandchildren and two great grand children. His ambition was to live to see all of his children married. His ambition was realized. His hobby was to build substantially -- family, buildings, community--good will. He celebrated his golden business anniversary April 6, 1940.
To his children he gave as ... idea of prized gifts years ago gre... photographs of the Supreme Court Justices and framed copies of the Declaration of Independence.
Mr. Borgsmiller was a member of the St. Andrew's Catholic church, the Knights of Pythias, the C. K. L and the Modern Woodmen, and is a former member of the B. O. E.
Funeral rites will be conducted on Thursday a.m., January 2, at ... o'clock, at a requiem high mass, the Reverend J. J. Taggart, Pastor of St. Andrew's, officiating.
The remains will lie in state at the home at 23rd and Division streets from 4 p.m. today. The casket will not be opened after leaving the home for the church. Interment in St. Andrew's cemetery."
