Oliver & Sarah (Vorhis) Guss

The people of Coldwater and of the entire surrounding country were surprised at about 4:00 o'clock p.m. on last Friday, April 21, 1916, to learn that Oliver Guss had just died at his home on East Main St. It was known that his health had been somewhat impaired for 2 or 3 years, but no apprehension was felt that his ailment was of such a nature as to cause his death so suddenly. On Thursday he had been about as usual. Early Friday morning, however, he became sick. A physician was called and everything possible was done to relieve him. His wife, who on that day was at the Guss home in Avilla-tp., was summoned and was soon by his side. During the afternoon Mrs. Guss stepped into the kitchen for a short time and while there heard her husband call from an adjoining room and hurried at once to him, but the death stroke and seized him and the end came almost instantly. Some form of heart trouble was the immediate cause of death. Mr. and Mrs. Guss were alone in the house at the time.

Deceased was a native of Indiana, having been born in Pulaski-co., that state, on December 29, 1850. His age, therefore, at the time of death was 65 years, 3 months and 23 days. On May 24, 1883, in Niles, Michigan, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Vorhis. For about a year they made their home in Chalmers, Ind., after which they came west, settling on a farm near Anthony, Harper-co. A year later they came to Comanche-co., locating on a claim in Avilla-tp., thus becoming pioneer settlers here. They stayed with the country through all the years of pioneer privations, and at last were rewarded for their toil and sacrifice. They continued to make their home on the farm until last June, when they bought residence property in this city and moved thereto.

Funeral services were held on Monday afternoon in the Presbyterian church. Rev. Ralph W. Wyrick of the M. E. church being in charge. The sermon subject was, "Blessed are they that mourn." Interment was in the Coldwater cemetery.

Mr. Guss was well known throughout the county. As a farmer and stockman he was quite successful. Since Mr. and Mrs. Guss left the farm their son, Earl, has lived on the farm and had active charge thereof. Another son, Clyde C., survives. These sons and the bereaved wife now have the sympathy of all.

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The Western Star, September 26, 1947.

Pioneer Woman Dies At an Advanced Age

Mrs. Oliver Guss Had been Resident Here for 63 Years

Mrs. Oliver Guss, one of Comanche county's earliest settler's passed away at 6:10 a.m. last Saturday, September 20, in St. Anthony's hospital in Dodge City. She suffered a paralytic stroke on September 4 and was found in her home by a close friend, Mrs. Mattie Nokes, and taken at once to the hospital. A week later she suffered another stroke and remained unconscious until her death.

Funeral services were held in the Coldwater Methodist church at 2:30 o'clock Monday afternoon and were in charge of Rev. W. J. Thomas, pastor of the Wilmore Methodist church. Mr. and Mrs. Gurney T. Hadley sang "Beautiful Isle" and "Abide With Me," accompanied on the organ by Mrs. Hobart McMillen.

Burial was in the Guss family lot in Crown Hill cemetery near this city. The pall bearers were: M. L. Zerby, H. H. Kopke, Oscar Taylor, J. W. Brewer and C. I. Cozad of Coldwater and W. T. Maris of Protection.

Obituary.

Sarah Vorhis Guss, daughter of Stephen Cornelius and Mary Elizabeth Vorhis, was born in Jasper county, Indiana, November 5, 1861, and passed away in St. Anthony's hospital in Dodge City, Kans., at 6:30 a.m. September 20, 1947, at the age of 85 years, 10 months and 15 days.

She grew to young womanhood in Jasper county, and in Niles, Mich., on May 30, 1881, she was united in marriage with Oliver Guss. They came to Harper county, Kansas, in 1883 and in 1884 moved to the new country of Comanche county, where they proved up a claim in Avilla township.

To this union were born two children, Theodore Earl Guss, who resides on the original homestead, and Clyde C. Guss, who died in February, 1944. The husband passed away April 21, 1916.

Mrs. Guss moved to Coldwater 34 years ago and continued to make this city her home. She was a great lover of flowers, a home garden and a neat, well-kept yard, and she spent many pleasurable hours caring for her home, even during her advanced years.

She was a kind and loving wife and mother, a helpful neighbor and a cheery, optimistic soul who treasured her friends and loved ones. Up to the last she took an active interest in current affairs.

She had been in failing health the past few years but was never heard to complain.

Mrs. Guss was truly a pioneer mother and knew the privations and hardships which came to the settlers who helped transform this southwest country from a bleak prairie to a productive, well improved land of plenty, with good highways, schools and churches.

When she was a young girl she united with the Methodist church and continued to incorporate into her life the every day principles of Christian living.

She is survived by one son, Theodore Earl; one sister, Mrs. J. D. Brown, of Independence, Kans., four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. The sorrowing relatives have the sympathy of all.

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Theodore Earl Guss, son of Oscar & Sarah Guss.

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Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!