Gustav A. Haury was born in Franklin, Lee county, Iowa, on January 15, 1863. He moved to McPherson county, Kansas, in 1879. After finishing school in his home district he attended the Mennonite Seminary at Halstead, Kansas, from which he was graduated in the first graduating class of that institution. Subsequently he was a student at the University of Kansas.
His teaching career began early, his first school that he taught being his home district school in McPherson county, north of what is now Moundridge. Then he taught in the Indian School at Halstead, Kansas, conducted by the Mennonite Mission Board. For two years he was at the head of the public school system in Hillsboro, Kansas. He then was called to a teaching position in the Halstead Seminary. After one year he came to Bethel College in the fall of 1893, the seminary having been moved to Newton and expanded into the latter institution. At Bethel College he spent the remaining thirty-three years of life, teaching full time within a few weeks of his death.
At Bethel College he was compelled to teach a large variety of subjects the first few years, but eventually he got into his favorite field of Latin. Whatever subject he undertook to teach, however, he did it with an outstanding thoroughness. In Latin he was considered one of the best teachers in the state. For the last few years he also served as business manager of Bethel College. While serving in this capacity his quiet efficient ways won him many friends.
Though Professor Haury spent 38 years in the school room as instructor he did not limit his efforts to school room duties, nor to the additional work that came to him as business manager of Bethel College. In spite of his more than full program he took time to serve his community. For many years he was a member of the Lyceum Committee that has brought to Newton a high type of musicians and speakers. For the greater period of this time he was chairman of the committee. For thirteen years he served on the Board of Education of the city of Newton. During most of this period he was on the Committee on Teachers, and the last year was president of the board.
In any position into which Professor Haury was put he gave unstintingly of his time and energy, not anxious for praise nor over sensitive to criticism, but always straight forward and conscientious, yet kind.
The foundation for his behavior and service undoubtedly was found in his religion. As a youth of fourteen he united with the church and through all the years served his Master with faithful consistency. His religious profession was not characterized by effusive volubleness but it always had the ring of sincerity. He served his Master in a quiet, faithful way, just as he served his school and his community. From the very beginning of the Bethel College [church?] he served as Sunday school teacher and from a slightly later period as deacon. It was seldom that he missed prayer meeting. His strength of character was made possible because he did not neglect going often to the source of spiritual strength.
On June 11, 1891, Professor Haury was married to Clara Ruth. This union was blessed with four sons, Irvin, the oldest, died in Camp Funston, leaving his widow, now Mrs. Albert Dyck of Halstead. G. A. Jr., resides in Newton. Alfred resides in San Francisco. Emil is in school in Arizona University. Besides being survived by these three sons and his wife he is also survived by his aged father, 5 brothers, 3 sisters, 3 daughters-in-law, 3 grandchildren.
Prof. Haury had never missed a day of school work on account of sickness. However, being annually troubled by an attack of hay fever, he had asked for a year's leave of absence, hoping to return to work after that. His leave of absence was granted. But three weeks before the school year closed he was compelled to undergo an operation for a perforation of the stomach. Calmly and resolutely he set himself to win the battle for life. But complications made a second different operation necessary. When he saw death approaching he resigned himself into the hands of Him whom he had tried to serve faithfully. He passed away Friday morning, June 18th, at 7:20 o'clock at the age of 63 years, 5 months and 13 days. His death is a blow to all who knew him, but his life is an inspiring memory. "Blessed are they which die in the Lord, —and their works do follow them."
The funeral service was held at the Bethel College chapel, Wednesday afternoon, June 23rd. Rev. Henry A. Fast, pastor of the Bethel College Church was assisted by Rev. P. H. Richert. The honorary pall bearers were D. H. Richert, P. J. Wedel, G. N. Harms, A. Ratzlaff, H. P. Krehbiel and J. H. Richert. The active casket bearers were W. A. Sterba, Ross Fugate, R. A. Goerz, J. R. Thierstein, J. H. Doell and J. M. Suderman.
Interment was in the family lot in Greenwood cemetery.
1863 - 1926 (63 years)