Obituary - Christian Metsch
East Liverpool Tribune
Reaper Summons Veteran Miller, and Public Official,
After a Life of Activity
Succumbs to Brief Illness at Ripe Old Age of 81
Was
Oldest Initiated Member of East Liverpool Lodge of Odd Fellows.
BORN IN GERMANY-CAME FROM FATHERLAND TO LAND
OF ADOPTION AT AN EARLY AGE
Was a Resident of City Over 40 Years, During Which Time Was
Entrusted With Many Responsible Positions, Municipal and Civic
Christian Metsch, aged 81, died at 2:20 o'clock Sunday morning(May 14, 1911). With the death of Mr. Metsch East Liverpool loses one of its old-time and most enterprising residents. Mr. Metsch has been identified with business and public affairs of this city for nearly 40 years. He was prominent not only in business circles but in church and lodges.
Christian was born Oct. 11, 1830, at Hessigheim, Wartemberg, Germany, and was in his 81st year. He came to America in the early fifties, and was at Steubenville for a short time, after which he went to West Newton, Pa., where he was employed in the milling department of Overholt & Markle, distillers and millers. Mr. Metsch was married August 24, 1854, to Elizabeth Kaufman at her father's home near Zelienople, Pa. In 1862 he came to this county and operated the mill at Cannon's Mills. With his family he moved to this city in 1871, having purchased the mill at the east end of Second street from James Wilson. Mr. Metsch enlarged the mill and practically rebuilt it, and for many years it was the leading mill in the upper Ohio valley. He built a brick residence adjoining the mill, which was the Metsch home for many years, and he lived there until he sold the entire property to the C. & P. R. R. company. He then erected a new building for handling feed and grain on Fourth street, half a block west of Market, since which time he has continued in business as C. Metsch & Son. He also built a new home on the Fourth street property, where he has since resided.
Mr. Metsch leaves a widow and the following children: Mrs. Nellie Pusey, J. G. Metsch, Mrs. Fred H. Cartwright and Mrs. David B. McIntosh. He is survived by 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Three sisters are living in Germany: Mrs. Saltzman, Mrs. Schaum and Mrs. Guyling.
Oldest Living Odd Fellow
Mr. Metsch was a member of the First M. E. church, this city, and has been connected with the official board of that church ever since he came to the city, over 40 years ago. He was also a member of Pilgrim Commandry, Knights Templar; Riddle Lodge No. 315, F. & A, M., and East Liverpool Chapter Royal Arch Masons. Mr. Metsch was the oldest living initiated member of the lodge of Odd Fellows, this city, and has always taken an active part in the affairs of that organization.
He was one of the members of the original board of water works trustees and had charge of the construction of the pump house, the reservoir and the establishment of the water works. The other members of the board were Hon. Josiah Thompson and Thomas H. Arbuckle. Mr. Metsch also served many years as a member of the city council.
When the Peoples Building & Savings company was organized Mr. Metsch became its first president, and has served in that capacity ever since.
While Mr. Metsch has been in bad health at times for the past two years, yet it is only within the past ten days or two weeks that he has been unable to attend to business. In the death of Mr. Metsch East Liverpool loses one of its best citizens, and one who was ever found on the right side of every movement looking to the best interests of the city. He was a public spirited man, ever ready to give time and money in a worthy cause.
Funeral services over the remains will be held from the late home on West Fourth street at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, Rev. Edwin Kirby, pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal church, officiating. Interment will be made in Riverview cemetery.
Friends may view the remains between the hours of 7 and 10 this evening.
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