Biographies - Frank S. Botefuhr

Frank S. Botefuhr is Dead at Age of 73.
Retired Musician and Business Man had Been Ill Three Months.
Came to Pittsburg in 1885 and For Many Years Conducted Music Store;
Graduate of University of Arkansas.

A stroke of apoplexy, suffered three months ago, caused the death at 8:05 o'clock last night of Frank Siegel Botefuhr, 73, retired Pittsburg musician and business man. The death occurred at the home of the son, Carl H. Botefuhr, 911 South Olive. Mr. Botefutir had been seriously ill since suffering the stroke. Mr.Botefuhr was one of the early day musicians in Pittsburg,, coming here in 1885 from Fort Smith, Ark. He was born in Bunker Hill, Ill., March 4,1862, and was graduated from the University of Arkansas. He operated a music store in Fort Smith prior to coming to Pittsburg.
Directed Orchestra.
Shortly after coming here Mr. Botefuhr took an active interest in musical circles and for a time was director of the orchestra at the old opera house, then located above the National Bank building. Later he was director of the orchestra at the LaBelle theatre. Although the violin was his favorite instrument, Mr. Botefuhr was a member of the municipal band for many years, and was one of its more ardent boosters. He opened the movement for a high school band, and for a time furnished the instruments and music for the school organization. Mr. Botefuhr operated a music store in Pittsburg for many years, retiring a few years ago, leaving the son, Carl H. Botefuhr, in charge. In recent years his principal activities consisted of assisting with the organization of musical organizations, and aiding students.
Leaves Two Sisters, Also.
Two sisters survive in addition to the son, Mrs. Alice Spaulding of New York City, and Mrs. Geraldine Cabell of Houston, Tex. Mrs. Spaulding and son, Jack, were.expected here today. Mrs. Cabell and daughter, Mrs. W. K. Donoghue of Vinita, Okla. , arrived here yesterday. A nephew, Henry D. Schulte of Miami , Fla. , will not be able to attend the funeral. Mr. Botefuhr first came to Pittsburg in 1885 , and was employed at the Van Winkle lumber yard here. A year later he went to Cincinnati, where he was married to Miss Amelia Kalthoff. The couple went to Fort Smith, Ark., and later came to Pittsburg. Mrs. Botefuhr died Feb. 29, 1932. Funeral arrangements have not been completed. The body is at the Ellsworth chapel.'' - The Pittsburg Headlight, Sept 12, 1935

Botefuhr Rites Sunday. Crowd of Several Hundred at Funeral for Musician

"Several hundred relatives and friends attended yesterday afternoon the funeral services of Frank S. Botefuhr, 73, early day Pittsburg musician. The services were held at the United Presbyterian church. Rev. J. H. Hutchman, pastor, in his sermon briefly sketched Mr. Botefuhr's. life and stated that the deceased was one of the first to bring musical culture to Pittsburg, in those days a mining camp. The Pittsburg municipal band, directed by J. J. Richards, play “Nearer My Got to Thee,” as relatives and close friends entered the church. Other music at the church included a vocal solo, ‘Face to Face,’ sung by Mrs. Charles R. DuBois; a duet ‘Lead Kindly Light,’ sung by Mrs. Clyde Hartford and Mrs. DuBois. Robert Gibson played a violin solo ‘Ave Maria’ (Bach Gounod) From the entrance of Mt. Olive cemetery to the grave the band preceded the funeral procession, playing a dirge. The body was lowered into the grave to the strains of ‘Abide With Me,’ Pallbearers were E. C. Webber, Dr. Walter McCray, Joe Schlanger, James Halliday, Homer Hickman and Bernard Harringan.”- The Pittsburg Headlight, Sept 16, 1935

Carl H. Botefuhr about 56, long in the music supply business in Pittsburg, died 5:45 o'clock this morning in Research hospital at Kansas City.
Mr. Botefuhr had been in the hospital there the past eight weeks. He had been in failing health for several years and became ill in Kansas City, where he went to attend the wedding of his step-daughter, Mrs. John Clements. he became ill the day of the wedding.
Mrs . Botefuhr, who had been spending part of her time in Pitsburg looking after the store and part in Kansas City with Mr. Botefuhr, was notified yesterday that his condition had become critical and she went to Kansas City late in the afternoon.
Mr. Botefuhr was a veteran of World War I, having served overseas.
The Botefuhr family played an important part in the early musical history of Pittsburg, longtime residents here said. Mr. Botefuhr's father, the late Frank Botefuhr, opened the first Botefuhr music store here and Mr. Botefuhr later was associated with his father in that business. The First Botefuhr store was on North Broadway. It later was expanded and was moved to Sixth and Locust. The store later was moved to Broadway between Sixth and Seventh, on the east side of the street. For the past six years, it has been located at 1318 South Broadway.
Mr. Botefuhr also had a musical education, having received his training at the Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati. He was born in Pittsburg, on March 14, 1889, and had lived here all his life. He was married May 5, 1922.
Memberships were held in the United Presbyterian church, the Blue lodge, Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, Commandery of Knights Templar, the Shrine, Elks, American Legion, Kiwanis, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans.
Survivors include the widow, Mrs. Leonore Botefuhr, and his step-daughter.
Funeral arraingments are incomplete, but probably will be Saturday. The body will be brought to Pittsburg sometime today or tonight. It will be taken to the E. K. Smith chapel. The Pittsburg Headlight, Jan 16 1946