Nicholas Grumbach

   COLONEL GRUMBACH'S
      LIFE IS TERMINATED
   Had Been Confined to Home
    But One Week---One of Most
      Interesting Figures.

 Nicholas Grumbach, the most con-
spicuous figure in military circles in
this city, died this morning at his
home, 1219 Lodi st.
 For the last two years Mr. Grumbach
had been suffering from Bright's dis-
ease, but about one week ago uremic
poisoning set in, and he was com-
pelled to remain in bed.
 A born soldier was Colonel Grum-
bach. Most of his life of 77 years was
associated with military concerns. The
old residents will remember how young
Grumbach, fired with enthusiasm, or-
ganized a company in this city and
then led them to the front in the great
struggle between the North and the
South. The government voted him a
medal for his bravery in war, and he
always cherished that as the greatest
gift of his life. His war career was
most brilliant.
 For many years Colonel Grumbach
had been conspicuously identified with
Memorial Day celebrations. He always
took a deep interest in the burial of
comrades, and it was largely due to
his activity that Lilly Post secured a
large plot at Woodlawn.
    ORGANIZED LILLY POST.
 As one of the charter members of
Lilly Post, G.A.R., in 1870, he took
an interest in that organization that
never lagged. He had occupied all of
the chairs and had been quartermaster 
for more than 21 years at the time of
his death.
 Colonel Grumbach liked politics, and
although he was a consistent Republi-
can he was never radical. Before the
war he twice represented his ward in
the Board of Supervisors, and on re-
turning from the battlefield he was
elected alderman. Later he was elected
county treasurer by an overwhelming
vote.
 Possessing a retentive memory and
easy speech he was always the central
figure in a group, and he could enter-
tain for hours. His war reminiscences
were particularly interesting.
 The father of Colonel Grumbach came
from Alsace-Lorraine in France in 1828
and settled in Syracuse. Later he
spent a few years at Detroit, but died
in this city.
 Col. Grumbach came to Syracuse in
1838 from Detroit, where he was born
three years previous, on Jan. 30. After
a public school education he entered
the employ of Sperry & Hier, cigar
manufacturers. In 1859 he formed a
partnership with the late Gen. Gustave
Sniper in the cigar business, but when
the war broke out he was anxious to
go to the front and in 1862 he gave up
his business and started to recruit a
company. At this time he was super-
visor of the old Fourth Ward.
     RECOGNIZED PROMOTIONS.
 The volunteers came rapidly and his
Company B, One Hundred and Forty-
ninth New York Volunteers, was soon  
a reality. Mr. Grumbach was made
captain and he was successively made
major, lieutenant-colonel and colonel of
that regiment, and afterwards was bre-
vetted colonel of the United States
Volunteers by the President and Sen-
ate for gallant and meritorious service
during the war.
 He became a member of the old Syr-
acuse Grays in 1856 , and when he en-
listed in the army he was serving his
second term as supervisor and was
also captain of Company E, Monroe
Cadets, New York State Militia. On
June 15, 1865, he was honorably dis-
charged, and on returning home en-
gage in business with Paul Birch-
meier in the manufacture of glue. Two
years later the factory was burned and
then Colonel Grumbach became United
States cigar stamper until that office
was abolished. From real estate and
insurance business he drifted to res-
tauranteur.
        PUBLIC CAREER.
 For three years he held an official
position at Albany, and later was jani-
tor of the Federal Building in Syra-
cuse. Mayor Irving G. Vann ap-
pointed him excise commissioner, and
for a number of years he was court
crier.
 Lilly Post, G.A.R. owes much to
the activities of Colonel Grumbach.
He was also a charter member of Salt
City Lodge, A.O.U.W., and Lincoln
Lodge of Odd Fellows and Salt Springs
Lodge of Masons for half a century, and
Masonic Veterans Association.
 In 1896 he was elected county clerk
and served for three years, making
and excellent record. Of late years he
had led a retired life.
 Mr. Grumbach married Miss Emil
Steiger, of this city, who survives. Four
daughters blessed the union., Mrs. Carl
Snautz, Mrs. Daniel Hummel, Mildred
E. and Belle C. Grumbach, all of whom 
survive.
 A meeting of Lilly Post will be called
by Capt. J.A. Allis to take action on
the death of Mr. Grumbach.
 The funeral will be held on Monday
afternoon and will be private. Lodge
members and friends will be given an
opportunity to review the remains on
Sunday at 3 p.m.