Surnames: Griebenow, Schelhorn, Hughes, Kaemmer, Duecker

----Source: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 01/25/1945

Griebenow, Oscar #2 (28 MAR 1881 - 20 JAN 1945)

Saturday morning at 6:00 a.m., this community (Owen, Clark Co., Wis.) lost its pioneer businessman and most highly respected citizen, in the death of Oscar Griebenow, owner and operator of the Griebenow Co., central Wisconsin’s largest hardware and furniture store. Mr. Griebenow came to Owen more than 40 years ago, and since that time has been engaged in the hardware and furniture business, building up one of the most substantial businesses in central Wisconsin.

He was a member of the State Hardware Dealers Association, State Undertakers and Funeral Directors Association, Wis. Valley Cemetery Association, and belonged to the Hall Hardware Co. of Minneapolis.

For a number of years he served on the city council, and was supervisor from Owen when it was still incorporated as a village. He served in many public offices and did all in his power to make Owen a city, and a pleasant place in which to do business and live. He was a member of the Episcopal Church, of the Masonic Lodge, as well as the Owen Businessmen’s club and the Chamber of Commerce.

Just how well he worked in the pioneer days, is illustrated in the fact that he was the first man to sell and set up a gasoline engine in the county. His life was full of work and full of success, and by his understanding ways he was popular and helpful, all of which are pleasant memories to his family and friends.

Oscar Griebenow was born March 28, 1881, at Kiel, Wis., and died Jan. 20, 1945 at the Legault Hospital, Owen, where he had been a patient for about a week. He had been in failing health for the past several months, and had sought the best medical aid possible in order to regain his health, but all efforts were fruitless. For the past few months he had been making daily visits to his store, and carrying on what business he was able to do. A turn for the worst last week returned him to the hospital where his last remaining days were spent.

He is survived by his wife and two daughters, Mrs. Fred Schelhorn, and Mrs. Richard Hughes, Owen. One son preceded him in death about 25 years ago. Surviving also are two sisters, Mrs. Arthur Kaemmer and Mrs. Gus Duecker, Kiel, and two brothers, Fred of Sierra Madre, Calif., and William of Rhinelander.

Mr. Griebenow, before coming to Owen, was engaged in the hardware business at Withee, being associated with the Rawson & Griebenow Co., which included Mr. Rawson, and Fred, William and Oscar Griebenow. As Owen began to grow Oscar and Fred Griebenow came to Owen and opened the hardware store here, which has continuously carried their name. Today he is the sole owner.

Relatives from away who came to attend the funeral were: Ens. F.B. Schelhorn, San Diego, Calif.; Mr. and Mrs. G.E. Bauman, Evansville, Ind., A.V. Bauman II, R. Bauman, Chicago; Mesdames Elmer Meyer, U. Earp and F. Kobs, Green Bay; Mr. and Mrs. H. Duecker and Mr. and Mrs. R. Griebenow, Kiel; Mrs. Ed Arps, Oshkosh; and Mrs. Clara B. Weirich, Prairie du Sac.