George Christian Maurer

Notes:

GEORGE C. MAURER.
The death of George C. Maurer, on the 24th of June, 1892, Rochester and Monroe county lost one of their most prominent and highly respected citizens. As the day, with its morning of hope and promise, its noontide of activity, its evening of completed and successful efforts, ending in the grateful rest and quiet of the night, so was the life of this lionized man. His career was a long, busy and useful one, and although he was earnest and active in business, he never allowed the pursuit of wealth to warp his kindly nature, being to the end of life a considerate and genial friend one whom it was a pleasure to know and meet under any circumstances. He attained the advanced age of seventy-seven years, retailing to the last those qualities of mind and heart which endeared him to everyone throughout his life.

Mr. Maurer was a native of Germany, his birth having occurred in Saarbrucken, on the 31st of August 1815. In the fatherland his childhood and youth were passed, and its schools afforded him his educational privileges. Possessing a laudable ambition to achieve an honorable success and believing that he could find better opportunities in the new world, he bade adieu to friends and home and in 1846 sailed for America. Two years later he founded what became one of the most extensive and important commercial institutions of the city, the Maurer Wholesale and Retail Grocery house. In this enterprise he was at first associated with a partner under the firm name of Kennedy & Maurer, but after two years this relation was dissolved, and Mr. Maurer conducted the business alone in the old Blossom House. There he suffered losses by fire, which carried him to remove his store and he therefore began business where the Maurer Grocery House still stands, at No. 140 East Main street, Rochester. From a humble beginning- his trade constantly grew' and for many years he carried on both a wholesale and retail business, from the fonner department shipping his goods to many cities and states in the Union. The store which he owned and which is still conducted, he supplied with all modern mercantile equipment for facilitating the business, and carrying an excellent line of goods he soon acquired a liberal patronage, which constantly increased in volume and importance as the years passed by. His business methods were unassailable and the reputation which the house enjoyed for reliability was doubtless one of the secrets of the success which crowned the efforts of its founder. He also' became identified with other interests in the city, being a director of both the East Side Savings Bank and the German Insurance Company.

Mr. Maurer was united in marriage in 1839 to Miss Elizabeth Lander, the accomplished daughter of John and Mary (Blamell) Lander. Her father was a representative of an aristocratic German family. He was born and reared in the fatherland, where he enjoyed exceptional educational privileges. In early life he learned the weaver's trade and after accumulating considerable wealth through following that vocation he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He was a man of strong mentality, of broad general information and through extensive travel he gained that knowledge and culture which only travel can bring. Mrs. Maurer is still living and is now in her eighty-second year.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Maurer were born nine children, five of whom are still living, two of the number, Esther A. and Henrietta C, being still with their mother in their attractive home at No. 67 North Clinton avenue. The married daughters are Sophia C, 'wife of Samuel Lentwieller, of Los Angeles, California ; Sarah E., wife of John G. Haap, who- represents the Maurer estate and is well known in business circles as a man of excellent ability and executive force; and Mrs. Lydia Cooper.

Mr. Maurer never sought or desired political honors and never held public office save that of supervisor of the sixth ward. He was, however, a man of broad, humanitarian principles and wide sympathies, and contributed most generously to the support of religious and charitable institutions. His benevolence was unostentatious and given with that kindly spirit which recognized the brotherhood of mankind. He was ever ready and willing to help those who helped themselves, to encourage and assist the ambitious and energetic young man. and the tale of distress 'or need always won his sympathy and substantial assistance. By his usefulness and general benevolence, he created a memory whose perpetuation does not depend upon a monument of brick or stone, but upon the spontaneous and freewill offering of a grateful and enlightened people. In the city's growth and advancement, he took a deep interest and through almost fifty years residence here he contributed in large measure to support the movements which tended toward the general good. His widow is still living at the old family homestead, surrounded by the loving care and consideration of children and many friends and by the comforts which her husband's labor in former years provided her.

(The Biographical record of the City of Rochester and Monroe County, New York, 1902)

George married Elizabeth Maria Lander in 1839. Elizabeth (daughter of Johannes Justus Lander and Maria Katherina Bleymehl) was born on 17 Jul 1820 in Wiebelskirchen, Neunkirchen, Saarland, Germany; died on 10 Jul 1905 in Rochester, Monroe County, New York; was buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, Rochester, Monroe County, New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: John George Happ. John was born on 18 Feb 1842; died on 3 Jan 1921 in Rochester, Monroe County, New York; was buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, Rochester, Monroe County, New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Mr. Cooper. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Theodore married Amelia M. Burke in 1876. Amelia was born in 1858 in Clyde, Wayne County, New York; died on 21 Feb 1936 in Rochester, Monroe County, New York; was buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, Rochester, Monroe County, New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]