From Unknown Newspaper - Unknown Date
JOHN H. GRASS MEETS LIFES END
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Man Prominent in Political and Business Life Dies After A Long Illness At His Home Here
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The death of John H. Grass, which took place at his home on Lakeside drive in this city on Tuesday, June 29, removes a man who was for long years active and prominent in the business and public life of Fergus Falls. While his death was not unexpected, owing to his long illness, it was none the less regretted very deeply by a large number of old friends. He leaves a wife and two sons, Charles F. Grass, proprietor of a merchantile business at Zurich, Mont., and John H. Jr., who has succeded his father in the management for the old established clothing business in the Maurin block in this city.
Mr. Grass removed here from Wisconsin about 1880 and was an associate in the early and well known general merchandise firm of O. C. Chase & Co., D. L. Morrison was another partner, and after Mr. Chase retired A. J. Grant bought an interest. Grass, Morrison & Grant did a large and prosperous business for years. Mr. Grant sold out, and ultimately Mr.Grass and Mr. Morrison divided the departments, Mr. Morrison taking the groceries and allied lines, and Mr. Grass became the owner of the clothing and furnishing business, which has been conducted in his name ever since. When the Maurin block was built he took a long lease of one of its storerooms, and still occupies it.
Mr. Grass was always active and prominent in civic and public affairs. He served many years on the board of education, and was president of the board. He was a member of the city council, a member of the Fergus Falls charter commission, and held other offices, both appointive and elective, at various times. On account of his strong views on the silver question he allied himself with the populists in the days of their activity, though he had always previously been a republican, and was the candidate of the people's party for state treasurer at one of the elections in the ninties which was most hotly contested. In his public work he was faithful and painstaking, and his attention to detail made him always a desirable officer. In many ways he rendered great services to the city of Fergus Falls during his public career. He was a man of great uprightness, faithfulness to conviction and to the duties that he conceived to be in his charge. He leaves a competency, after a hard working life, clouded at its close by long and painful illness.
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