Justin William Emerson -1876-1949

EMERSON, TANGEMAN, HENDERSON

Posted By: Connie Ellis (email)
Date: 1/26/2011 at 15:33:18

SOURCE: Lake Park, Iowa LAKE PARK NEWS April 28, 1949
Contributor: Connie Ellis (Not related)

Last rites for Justin William Emerson were held Friday afternoon, April 22 at 1:30 p.m. at Knowles Funeral Home in Lake Park, Iowa and at 2 o'clock at the Lake Park Methodist Church with Rev. L.J. Runion officiating. Interment was in the Silver Lake Cemetery.

Justin William Emerson, son of James P. and Anna (Tangeman) Emerson, was born August 8, 1876 at Volney, Allamakee County, Iowa. He was reared and educated in the institutions of learning as well as in the mercantile business that was his profession the most of his life, his father being a merchant at Volney.

On September 13, 1899 at Waukon, Iowa he was married to Ida E. Henderson and the young couple began housekeeping at Burchinal where Mr. Emerson was in the mercantile business. In 1912 he disposed of his business and the family moved to Charles City, Iowa where he conducted a store for two years. In 1914 Mr. Emerson bought the Frank Blair store in Lake Park and the family moved there that August where they have lived ever since. A few years later Mr. Emerson purchased the Frank Schroeder grocery and dry goods stock and moved into the corner building on the northeast corner of Main Street square where he continued in business until 1937 when he closed out his stock. Mr. Emerson was then employed for over a year at the Jensen Hardware. In 1939 he was appointed town clerk and weigh master.

Mr. Emerson was elected treasurer of the Lake Park School Board of Education in 1925, and held this position of trust, along with the town clerk and weigh master positions until his death. At 2:30 the school students and their teachers gathered along the sidewalk across the street from the church and stood until the funeral cortege left the church, paying a silent tribute to the man who had served as treasurer for 24 years. In addition, the businesses of Lake Park closed during the hour and half funeral service to this gentleman who faithfully served his community.

Mr. Emerson attended the Methodist Church and has been a member of the local Methodist Church since 1915. For many years he was a member of the Masonic, Odd Fellows and Woodman Lodges of Lake Park.

Justin William Emerson died on April 20, 1949 at the age of 72 years, 8 months, and 12 days of age. He was preceded in death by one sister and three brothers. He is survived by his wife and five sons, Milo of Swea City, Iowa, Everett, Ralph, and Rollo of Lake Park, Iowa,and Richard of Pasadena, California. Also one brother J. Gordon Emerson of Palo Alto, California; 4 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.