John Godfrey and Eliza Grunig
By Lois Greenlee in History of Bear Lake Pioneers
John Godfrey Grunig was born 8 June 1862 in Biel, Switzerland, son of John Grunig and Mary Louise Monerier. He was of Swiss and French descent. At the early age of seven years, he was called into military training for the country of Switzerland. He was an apprentice butcher in his early youth. At the age of fourteen years, he and two brothers came to America. They landed in New York and from there they went to Nebraska and lived with his cousins. They stayed there for about a year, making their way across the country.
They settled in Bear Lake County and at that time John was twenty years of age. he found employment with a Mr. Henry Hoff, a prominent businessman of Idaho. He worked with Mr. Hoff about twelve years as a butcher, saving as he was able. He was a wonderful financier and was able to save his money. He married Eliza Eschler of Bear Lake, 20 Apr 1888. He continued to work for Mr. Hoff until he was thirty-two years old, then went into the butcher businnes for himself. He bought a small lot and two buildings for $1000. His business was a great success and all who knew him loved him for his kindness.
He was charitable and always thought of the other person. He was able to purchase 160 acres of ranch land and built an eight room house that was as modern as any in that day. He and his wife raised eleven children.
Children of John Godfrey and Eliza Escher
1. Mary Louise Grunig b-7 Mar 1889 in
Montpelier; d-3 July 1976 in Ogden Utah; br-Aultorest Memorial Park in Ogden;
m-John Jacob Messerly
2. Gertrude Eliza Grunig b-18 Dec 1891 in Montpelier; d-12 Feb 1973 in Ogden; br-Ogden
City Cemetery; m-James Carl Hayes
3. Louis Godfrey Grunig b-28 Mar 1893 in Montpelier; d-16 Mar 1944 in
Montpelier; br-Montpelier Cemetery
4. Rosella Grunig b-3 Mar 1894 in Montpelier; d-22 Apr 1970 in Montpelier; br-Montpelier
Cemetery; m-James Whinham 20 Nov 1911 in Paris
5. Margaret Ella Grunig b-9 June 1896 in Montpelier; d-19 Feb 1929 in Salt Lake;
m-Clarence W Fuller 7 July 1913 in Salt Lake City
6. Cecelia Agnes Grunig b-Aug 1898 in Montpelier; m-John Albert Parker 15 May
1916 in Paris
7. Frederick Arnold Grunig b-13 June 1900 in Montpelier; d-29 Oct 1918 in
Montpelier; br-Montpelier Cemetery
8. Loraine Henry Grunig b-30 Sep 1902 in Montpelier; d-29 Oct 1971 in
Montpelier; br-Montpelier Cemetery; m-Sophia Young 14 Apr 1923 in Paris
9. Della J Grunig b-1905 in Montpelier
10. Harold Grunig b-11 Mar 1906 in Montpelier; d-16 May 1922 in Montpelier; br-Montpelier
Cemetery
11. Lucille Grunig b-18 Feb 1909 in Montpelier; d-30 June 1939 in Montpelier;
m-Mark Alvin Dunn 23 June 1927 in Rich Co Utah
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John spent a great deal of time in civic work and was a member of the IOOF and Woodman of the World. He was captain of the civic band and let at all the parades in Montpelier. Although he was not a member he contributed to the LDS church whenever he was asked and helped in many ways. Many of his friends were LDS and he became interested and was baptized a member when he was forty-two years old. Shortly after he joined the church, he became ill with the dreadful disease, dropsy. He was bed-ridden for one year, but never recovered and died 16 Nov 1909.
Eliza was born in Bern County, Switzerland 16 Nov 1869 and came to this country when she was seven years old. She probably came here with her aunt Rose Johns. After John died, she was left with eleven children at the age of thirty-eight years. She and her sons kept the ten acres at home, 160 acres of ranch land, cows and other stock. She was a member of the LDS church and raised her children in this manner. She lived under very poos conditions and was stricken with a bad sore throat. Other complications set in and she died 15 Feb 1939.