Obituary - Mr. George Frederick Grill

10 December 1910 The Gundagai Times and Tumut, Adelong and Murrumbidgee District Advertiser

Just as we were going to press on Thursday, the news was conveyed to us by Mr. Fletcher, local manager for Mr. G. F. Grill, of the serious illness of his employer, at Tumut.

It was not expected that Mr. Grill would live the night out, and such proved to be the case, for ere the news of his illness had reached our subscribers the sad news of his death had spread throughout the town, he having passed away peacefully at half-past eight on Thursday night.

The deceased had suffered periodical attacks of illness for some time past, the heart causing the trouble, and only a few months back found it necessary to take a trip to Queensland to recruit his health.

The late Mr. Grill was a remarkably shrewd business man, as the manner in which his huge business establishments in Tumut, Gundagai and Adelong have flourished amply testify.

He came to the district only seven years ago, and by his close personal attention and untiring business energy, became - not only a great benefactor to the district in the way of distributing capital by the employment of labour and the encouraging of industries - generally known as one of the most remarkably progressive personalities in the commercial life of the State.

Such fine structures as the the new Flour Mill, Post Office Stores (Tumut) and Railway Stores (Gundagai) stand as monuments to his enterprise, and at the same time afford some slight clue of the great loss our district has sustained by the removal from our midst of such a leading light in business circles as George Frederick Grill.

In the places of business mentioned, up wards of 150 hands have been permanently employed, and amongst them their deceased employer was looked on as an adviser and a friend, and one to whom the words of Shakespeare - "This was a man" - could verily, be applied. 

The deceased, who was a native of Germany, came to Australia 18years ago, and prior to settling at Tumut worked at his trade as a carpenter and joiner at Cobar, where he engaged in contracting with good- financial results.

His death will be universally, deplored, for it is men of his stamp that any community can ill-afford to lose. 

Deceased was 51 years of age, and leaves a widow and five children (including a daughter by a former union) to mourn the loss of a loving husband arid devoted father. 

The funeral took place at Tumut on Saturday and was very largely attended, the cortege being fully a mile and a half in length. The male employees (numbering 51) of the Tumut, Adelong and Gundagai business branches marched in front of the hearse, the remains being laid to rest in the Church of England portion of the new cemetery.

The Rev. Ross   Edwards read the service at   the graveside. The paul-bearers were: - Messrs. Clout, Fletcher, Baker, Ally, Cyril Grill (nephew) and A. Hogan. Among the scores (lines missing) wreath from the employees of the Gundagai branch.