Obituary; Madison (KS) News, 12 May 1921.
Last Thursday afternoon a few of the many old time friends of M. A. Gonter assembled at the undertaking rooms of A. Sauder & Son to pay the last tribute of respect to him whom they had known for over 40 years. As his remains lay in the lonesome casket covered with flowers, they remembered him only as an active, stalwart man, engaged in the activities and business of Madison over a quarter century ago. They recalled the many acts of kindness extended by him; how he fought the battle of life against an unequal force. Mr. Gonter was a tinner by trade, and the standardizing of the business, improved machinery, and approaching old age was too much for him, and he gave up, only after his wife died in 1896. He was an independent, resolute man, and went to his daughter (who buried him) under the stress of circumstances. Did you ever sit on the ruins of your own happiness? Did you ever bury long cherished hopes?...If at any time you have undergone such experience you will understand the mental condition of M. A. Gonter as he bid his friends good-bye before leaving Madison, ten years ago. Mr. Gonter was born in Alsace Lorraine, 85 years ago. Was married in 1857. Died in Elwood, Ill., at the home of a daughter, April 21, 1921. Eight children blessed the union, five daughters and three sons. After his wife died he sought comfort and consolation in spiritualism, but with the feebleness of old age, he could not but say:
"Serene I fold my arms and wait,
Nor care for wind, or tide, or sun;
I rave no more against time and fate,
For lo, my own, shall come to me."
-T.B.S *[poem, "Waiting," by John Burroughs]
additional notes: A hardware dealer, merchant and tinware maker, sometimes referred to as a "tinner," Michael Gonter served as a councilmember and later Mayor of Madison, KS (2010 pop.; 701).
Last Thursday afternoon a few of the many old time friends of M. A. Gonter assembled at the undertaking rooms of A. Sauder & Son to pay the last tribute of respect to him whom they had known for over 40 years. As his remains lay in the lonesome casket covered with flowers, they remembered him only as an active, stalwart man, engaged in the activities and business of Madison over a quarter century ago. They recalled the many acts of kindness extended by him; how he fought the battle of life against an unequal force. Mr. Gonter was a tinner by trade, and the standardizing of the business, improved machinery, and approaching old age was too much for him, and he gave up, only after his wife died in 1896. He was an independent, resolute man, and went to his daughter (who buried him) under the stress of circumstances. Did you ever sit on the ruins of your own happiness? Did you ever bury long cherished hopes?...If at any time you have undergone such experience you will understand the mental condition of M. A. Gonter as he bid his friends good-bye before leaving Madison, ten years ago. Mr. Gonter was born in Alsace Lorraine, 85 years ago. Was married in 1857. Died in Elwood, Ill., at the home of a daughter, April 21, 1921. Eight children blessed the union, five daughters and three sons. After his wife died he sought comfort and consolation in spiritualism, but with the feebleness of old age, he could not but say:
"Serene I fold my arms and wait,
Nor care for wind, or tide, or sun;
I rave no more against time and fate,
For lo, my own, shall come to me."
-T.B.S *[poem, "Waiting," by John Burroughs]
additional notes: A hardware dealer, merchant and tinware maker, sometimes referred to as a "tinner," Michael Gonter served as a councilmember and later Mayor of Madison, KS (2010 pop.; 701).
Obituary; Madison (KS) News, 12 May 1921.
Last Thursday afternoon a few of the many old time friends of M. A. Gonter assembled at the undertaking rooms of A. Sauder & Son to pay the last tribute of respect to him whom they had known for over 40 years. As his remains lay in the lonesome casket covered with flowers, they remembered him only as an active, stalwart man, engaged in the activities and business of Madison over a quarter century ago. They recalled the many acts of kindness extended by him; how he fought the battle of life against an unequal force. Mr. Gonter was a tinner by trade, and the standardizing of the business, improved machinery, and approaching old age was too much for him, and he gave up, only after his wife died in 1896. He was an independent, resolute man, and went to his daughter (who buried him) under the stress of circumstances. Did you ever sit on the ruins of your own happiness? Did you ever bury long cherished hopes?...If at any time you have undergone such experience you will understand the mental condition of M. A. Gonter as he bid his friends good-bye before leaving Madison, ten years ago. Mr. Gonter was born in Alsace Lorraine, 85 years ago. Was married in 1857. Died in Elwood, Ill., at the home of a daughter, April 21, 1921. Eight children blessed the union, five daughters and three sons. After his wife died he sought comfort and consolation in spiritualism, but with the feebleness of old age, he could not but say:
"Serene I fold my arms and wait,
Nor care for wind, or tide, or sun;
I rave no more against time and fate,
For lo, my own, shall come to me."
-T.B.S *[poem, "Waiting," by John Burroughs]
additional notes: A hardware dealer, merchant and tinware maker, sometimes referred to as a "tinner," Michael Gonter served as a councilmember and later Mayor of Madison, KS (2010 pop.; 701).
Last Thursday afternoon a few of the many old time friends of M. A. Gonter assembled at the undertaking rooms of A. Sauder & Son to pay the last tribute of respect to him whom they had known for over 40 years. As his remains lay in the lonesome casket covered with flowers, they remembered him only as an active, stalwart man, engaged in the activities and business of Madison over a quarter century ago. They recalled the many acts of kindness extended by him; how he fought the battle of life against an unequal force. Mr. Gonter was a tinner by trade, and the standardizing of the business, improved machinery, and approaching old age was too much for him, and he gave up, only after his wife died in 1896. He was an independent, resolute man, and went to his daughter (who buried him) under the stress of circumstances. Did you ever sit on the ruins of your own happiness? Did you ever bury long cherished hopes?...If at any time you have undergone such experience you will understand the mental condition of M. A. Gonter as he bid his friends good-bye before leaving Madison, ten years ago. Mr. Gonter was born in Alsace Lorraine, 85 years ago. Was married in 1857. Died in Elwood, Ill., at the home of a daughter, April 21, 1921. Eight children blessed the union, five daughters and three sons. After his wife died he sought comfort and consolation in spiritualism, but with the feebleness of old age, he could not but say:
"Serene I fold my arms and wait,
Nor care for wind, or tide, or sun;
I rave no more against time and fate,
For lo, my own, shall come to me."
-T.B.S *[poem, "Waiting," by John Burroughs]
additional notes: A hardware dealer, merchant and tinware maker, sometimes referred to as a "tinner," Michael Gonter served as a councilmember and later Mayor of Madison, KS (2010 pop.; 701).
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