In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1915) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1863
From Biographical review of Des Moines County, Iowa (1905), History of Des Moines County, Iowa (1915)
G. L. UNTERKIRCHER.
As the successor of his father, Mr. Unterkircher is the representative of one of the oldest and most successful business enterprises of Burlington, Iowa. At the present time he is a member of the livery and undertaking firm of F. L. & G. L. Unterkircher, located at the corner of Third and Valley Streets. He was born in this city May 10, 1863, a son of P. F. Unterkircher, a full sketch of whose career appears elsewhere in the present volume, and his preliminary education was in the public schools. This was followed by a thorough course of training in the Bryant & Stratton Business College of Burlington, and while still a boy he entered the work of his father's livery and undertaking establishment on Washington Street, being afterward taken into membership in the firm of P. F. Unterkircher & Sons, which was continued until the death of the senior member on Aug. 31, 1893. Thus he was reared in the business with which he has all his life been identified, and acquired that familiarity with its details which has been such an important factor in his success.
After the father's death Mr. Unterkircher and his brother, F. L. Unterkircher, leased the Washington Street business for a period of five years, the two other brothers, C. L. and H. O. Unterkircher. taking the Columbia barn on North Main Street. During the currency of this lease the firm of F. L. & G. L. Unterkircher erected the present building at Third and Valley Streets, taking possession in 1896. The building was constructed at a cost of $65,000, and $40,000 was invested in stock, $35,000 of this amount being devoted to the purchase of livery stock and equipment, including fifteen closed carriages or opera coaches, two pall-bearers' wagons, twenty-five single rigs, two ambulances, four hearse, three undertaking wagons, one large brake or picnic wagon, five two-seat, extension-top carriages, two buckboards, two golf wagons, and sixty head of horses of exceptionally high grade. In connection with the undertaking service a large and artistically decorated chapel, with a seating capacity of two hundred, was built in 1902, an addition which has elicited much commendation from the public. In both livery and undertaking equipment this establishment takes rank with the best to be found anywhere in the Middle West. The building, which is of buff brick, consists of three stories and a basement, and every department is thoroughly complete and modern in all its appointments, all lighting, bell, and other apparatus being of the latest and most approved types. Mr. Unterkircher's brother has charge of the undertaking department, but he himself has the entire management of the immense livery business, and in addition he engaged in the purchase and sale of horses on a large scale.
On Sept. 12, 1882, Mr. Unterkircher was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Keegan, a native of Burlington and of German parentage, and to this union has been born one child, a daughter, Grace, who was graduated from the Burlington high schools, finished her education at Mount St. Joseph's College, Dubuque, and is active in the musical circles of the city, being a member of the Burlington Musical Club. The family occupies a handsome residence at 807 North Third Street, built by Mr. Unterkircher in 1901, and situated on the bluffs overlooking the magnificent prospect of the Mississippi River.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
As printed in Biographical review of Des Moines County, Iowa (1905). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
GEORGE L. UNTERKIRCHER.
Among those men who were prominent in business affairs in the city of Burlington was George L. LInterkircher, for a number of years engaged in the livery and undertaking business. He also had other interests and was a factor for progress in the commercial life of the city. He was born in Burlington, May 10, 1863, and died July 7, 191 1, in the best years of his life. Although he was called to the Great Beyond much too early to achieve the goal of his ambition, he attained a position which many a man of older years may never reach.
Mr. Unterkircher was a son of P. F. and Philipina (Johns) Unterkircher, the former of whom was born in Mezigen, Germany, November 30, 1826, and died in Burlington, August 31, 1893, having reached the age of sixty-seven years. He came to America in 1853 and first located in Clinton, Michigan, where he followed his trade of weaver. Soon afterward, however, he engaged in tanning, and in time became the owner of the tannery in which he had begun his career as a humble employe. In 1863 Mr. Unterkircher made his way to Iowa, locating near Augusta in Des Moines county, where he resided four years, and in 1867 came to Burlington. In that city he conducted a brewery for one year. He then established a steam laundry, which he operated in partnership with George A. Duncan, his business being the first enterprise of its kind in the city. Subsequently he became interested in the livery business, purchasing the Stewart stables. The business prospered, and he later added an undertaking establishment. He remained the owner of these business properties until his death, although his sons became associated with him in business. The firm operated under the style of P. F. Unterkircher & Sons. Mr. Unterkircher accumulated considerable property and left an estate which was the result of his industry, energy and frugality. In 1852, at Clinton, Michigan, he married Miss Philipina Johns, who died in 1888. He became recognized as one of the substantial citizens of Burlington and aided all public measures of a worthy nature.
George L. Unterkircher was reared in Burlington, and in this city attended the public schools, subsequently taking up a course of study in Bryant & Stratton Business College. While yet a boy he made himself useful in his father's livery and undertaking establishments. He later became a member of the firm, which then changed its style to P. F. Unterkircher & Sons, under which it continued until the death of Mr. Unterkircher, Sr., in 1893. Subsequently our subject and his brother, F. L. Unterkircher, leased from the estate the Washington street business for a period of five years, while the two other brothers, C. L. and H. O. Unterkircher, took over the Columbia barn on North Main street. George L. Unterkircher and his brother conducted business under the firm name of F. L. & G. L. Unterkircher, and soon erected a fine new building at Third and Valley streets, which they occupied in 1896. This building was put up at an e.expense of sixty-five thousand dollars. Forty thousand dollars was invested in stock, of which thirty-five thousand dollars was particularly devoted to acquiring the highest class of equipment and animals for their livery, which was modern in every respect. Their undertaking establishment also was one of the largest and most up to date in the state. In 1902 they added a large and artistically decorated chapel with a seating capacity of two hundred. F. L. Unterkircher had charge of the undertaking establishment, while our subject gave most of his attention to the livery business. He was very successful along this line, being an expert judge of animals, and as a side line he engaged largely in the purchase and sale of horses, doing a considerable business of this kind. Mr. Unterkircher was one of the most genial and pleasant-mannered business men of Burlington, in which city he had innumerable friends. He held considerable real estate and also was a director of the German-American Equation Premium Life Association and of the German-American Agency Company.
On September 12, 1882, Mr. Unterkircher married Miss Jennie Keegan, a native of Burlington, and they had one daughter, Grace, who married William Mathes. Mrs. Unterkircher, who died July 29, 1913. was widely and favorably known in Burlington, being particularly interested in various organizations which make for the betterment of humanity and which interest themselves in the care of the needy and afflicted.
Mr. Unterkircher took a foremost rank among the public-spirited citizens of Burlington, for the advancement and progress of which city he considered no effort of his too great. He was an active democrat and frequently served as a delegate to state conventions and in other important capacities. In 1899 public recognition came to him when he was elected to the position of coroner of Des Moines county, an office which he held for four years. He discharged his difficult duties faithfully and with circumspection and made an excellent official record. His social and fraternal connections were many, and he was popular in all of the organizations to which he belonged. Among others, he was a member of Harold Lodge, I. O. O F.; the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks; the Modern Woodmen of America; the Woodmen of the World; the Knights of the Maccabees; the Fraternal Order of Eagles; the Burlington Turner Society; the Schwaebischer Verein; the Ancient Order of United Workmen; the Orchard City Club; the Commercial Men's Exchange, and the Business Men's Club. In the Commercial and Business Men's clubs Mr. Unterkircher found a broad scope for his activities in promoting the advancement of the city. He was an extremely popular man and had many friends in all circles of Burlington. He was hailed as a fine fellow on all hands and in his genial way brought the sunshine of life to many of his fellow-men. When the news of his death on July 7, 191 1, traversed the city there was much sorrow and morning. His many friends could hardly believe that one had gone out of their lives who had been much to them. His memory is loyally and reverently preserved as that of a man who combined with the highest qualities of character business ability of a high order, and who was ever ready to extend a helping hand to all those who were unfortunate. His help was not only of a material kind, but his mere presence inspired encouragement, and his good cheer seemed to drive away life's shadows.
As printed in History of Des Moines County, Iowa (1915). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1905. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.