William G. Saunders

As printed in 1906

WILLIAM G. SAUNDERS.

William G. Saunders, one of the oldest. most respected and influential citizens of this city and county, died at his home on South Jackson street about 11 o'clock Sunday evening, December 3, 1899. His death resulted from heart disease, and was entirely unlocked for at this time, although both he and his relatives had been warned by the family physician that he would quite likely pass away in that manner. Mr. Saunders had been suffering from a complication of troubles for a long time, and his death was a matter of but a few months at best. However, lately he had been feeling unusually well, and was up town the previous Friday attending to business matters. The same day he was out at his farm making arrangements for the erection of a home. Sunday he seemed unusually bright and ate three hearty meals. In the evening he spent some time looking over the plans for the new farm house, and went to bed at the usual hour. About eleven o'clock, however, his nieces heard Mr. Saunders groaning but reached his side too late to relieve him. Dr. Smith stated that it was a plain case of heart disease.

Mr. Saunders would have been eighty-four years old this coming Christmas. He was born in Kentucky, and came to Iowa in the early '50s. He has always been actively engaged in business enterprises, and is thought to have been one of the wealthiest men in the county. He was at the time of his death president of the First National Bank, and a stockholder in the Savings Bank. Aside from this he possessed large holdings of real estate in the city and county. He also had large investments in Omaha and other parts of the west. His estate is estimated to be worth between $300,000 and $500,000. He riiade a will disposing of his property this fall.

Mr. Saunders died a widower and childless. His wife died about fifteen years ago and he never had children. He leaves a brother and two sisters: Mr. Aaron Saunders, of Blytheville, Missouri, Mrs. William Tolle, of Los Angeles, California, and Mrs. Elizabeth Saunders, of this city.

Mr. Saunders was cared for at his home by three nieces, Alisses Rena, Maggie and Tillie Fouche, who kept house for him and whom he regarded as his children.

Mr. Saunders and his family were affiliated with the Christian church.

As printed in Biographical review of Henry County, Iowa, containing biographical and genealogical sketches of many of the prominent citizens of to-day and also of the past .. (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.