Forler, George K.

George K. Forler
July 26, 1831-March 5, 1909

Niles Daily Star, Friday, March 5, 1909, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library


    George K. Forler, a pioneer and highly esteemed citizen, passed away this morning at 2 o'clock at his home, 604 north Fifth street.
    Mr. Forler was born in Waterloo county, Ont., Can., in 1831. In 1854 he was married to Miss Kate Smith in Wellsley, Ontario.
    Together they came to Niles, Mar. 3, 1860, and he worked at carpentry until 1863, when he experienced a long siege of illness.  In 1865, Mr. Forler opened a boarding house and a grocery store at the corner of Fifth and High streets, near the Michigan Central, and the business prospered until April 1889, when that district was swept by fire. However, from the ruins of his establishment, Mr. Forler caused a fine, two-story brick building to arise, containing many airy and pleasant rooms and offering to the traveling public superior accommodations and excellent board. This hotel was christened the Forler House, which today is most favorably known to the many transient guests and the traveling public.
    In 1895 Mr. Forler retired from active business pursuits, he having, through perserverance[sic] and industry, acquired a competency.  He was succeeded in the management of the hotel by his son-in-law, the late Chas. Whetstone, while his sons, Geo. A. and John H., continue the grocery and retail liquor business, respectively.
    Mr. Forler was a devoted husband and a kind and indulgent father. But the greatest of all was he as a man.  And as a man it is that those who knew him best most love to contemplate him. He believed in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man.
    His cheerful, helpful life; his devotion to his wife and family and kindness to everybody will long linger as a fragrant memory in the home which his presence brightened and which death has now darkened. Though he is gone his record has been made and will remain with us as a lasting treasure.
    Besides a devoted wife he leaves five daughters and four sons, Mrs. Alfred Massnick, Bay City; Mrs.  Joseph Reinicke, Marion, Ohio; Mrs. Julius Kaiser, Erie, Pa.; Mrs. Oscar Massnick; Detroit; W.S. Forler, Battle Creek; Henry Forler, Detroit; Geo. A. Forler, John H. Forler and Mrs. Chas. Whetstone, of this city.
    The funeral will take place Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from St. John's German church, Rev. F. Rahn officiating.  The remains will be laid to rest in Silver Brook cemetery.
    

Niles Daily Star, Monday, March 8, 1909, Page 3, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

    The funeral of the late George K. Forler will take place tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from St. John's German church, Rev. F. Rahn officiating.  Interment at Silver Brook cemetery.