GEORGE GRATER - Obituary

The East Liverpool Tribune

October 17, 1906

AGED FARMER OF ST. CLAIR TOWNSHIP DIES SUDDENLY

George Grater, Pioneer Resident of Columbiana County, While Driving to Postoffice in Buggy Falls From Seat and Expires Before Medical Aid Can Be Summoned

WELL KNOWN AND HIGHLY RESPECTED MAN

George Grater, one of the oldest residents of St. Clair township, is dead. About 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon (October 17, 1906) he hooked up his driving horse and buggy and started to drive to Calcutta for his mail. When the horse reached the home of Thomas Caywood, the gate being wide open the animal entered. Mr. Grater's hat fell off by the wayside, which caused Mrs. Caywood to call her husband's attention to the fact that something was wrong with Mr. Grater.

As they rushed tot the side of the buggy, the old gentleman fell forward, partially on the dashboard. He gasped a couple of times and died in the buggy, about half past two o'clock.

Mr. and Mrs. Caywood tenderly lifted his body from the buggy and carried it into their home. They applied what local remedies that could be found at hand in endeavoring to restore Mr. Grater to consciousness.

Failing to do this Mr. Caywood hurriedly drove Mr. Grater's horse to Calcutta and returned with Dr. Fitzsimmons. The physician pronounced Mr. Grater dead, whereupon he returned to Calcutta and summoned Mr. Sturgis, an East Liverpool undertake, who arrived at Mr. Caywood's home about 4 o'clock in the afternoon. The body was removed in the ambulance to his home. The few relatives living in the neighborhood were summoned, and most of them reached the Grater home about 5 o'clock last evening.

The nearest relatives are nieces, Misses Mary, Caroline and Ella Miller, daughters of the late Jacob Miller, and Mrs. Charles Gonzales, all of Calcutta, and Mrs. Martha St. Clair of this city.

George Grater was born in 1825 on the farm where he died, a the age of 81 years. He was probably the oldest resident of St. Clair township, and was certainly the oldest native born citizen. He was a son of George Grater Sr. His mother's maiden name was Susan Smith. She was a resident of St. Clair township. His father was a Frenchman, and came of an old French family. In France the name was spelt Gratier. His father fought under Napoleon Bonepart for years, and was one of the old Guard. When Napoleon was banished to St. Helena, George Gratier, Sr., came to America, and settled in St. Clair township. He married Susan Smith, and became the owner of what has since been known as the Grater farm, comprising several hundred acres of the very best land in St Clair township.

The deceased never married, and after the death of his father and mother became the owner of the Grater farm. He was the last of his family, and was probably the wealthiest man in St. Clair township.

David Figley, a neighbor, in speaking of the death of Mr. Grater, last evening said:

"St. Clair township has lost one of the oldest and best citizens. I have lived all the day of my life on the farm adjoining his. I knew his father before him, and have seen the old Frenchman at my father's home and at his own home hundreds of times. While George Grater, the deceased, was one of the old school gentlemen, and somewhat peculiar in his ways, yet if he was your friend, he was a good and true one."

For many years Mr. Grater has been a member of the Long Run Presbyterian church. He was one of the most liberal contributors to the support of the church and pastor, and was a great bible reader.

For nearly twenty years Mr. and Mrs. Caywood made their home with Mr. Grater. They had the care of his home, and were members of the some household. While in no wise related to Mr. Grater, many persons were of the opinion that they were members of his family. A few years ago Mr. Grater sold Mr. Caywood fifty acres of his farm, upon which Mr. Caywood erected a new home. It is strange that when death called Mr. Grater his horse should enter the open gate and take him to the door of Mr. and Mrs. Caywood.

The funeral will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock from Mr. Grater's late home. Interment will be made in the private burying ground on the Grater farm, where his father and mother and all of his brothers and sisters have been sleeping for many years. The services will be conducted by the Rev. F. J. Bryson, pastor of the church of which he was a member.