GARRABRANT, Ira 1866-1932

GARRABRANT, BEMEDOM, PARSONS

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 2/24/2015 at 21:49:36

[Waterloo Courier, Sunday, October 9, 1932, Waterloo, Iowa]

IRA GARRABRANT, 65, FIREMAN FOR 44 YEARS, IS DEAD

Served in Every Rank from Pipeman to Captain; Retired in 1926.

Ira Garrabrant, 65, 824 Burton Avenue, retired fire captain who for 44 years served on the volunteer and paid fire departments of Waterloo, died at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at a Waterloo hospital from a heart ailment. He became critically ill three weeks ago, but was rallying encouragingly until a relapse occurred Wednesday.

Captain Garrabrant was one of the picturesque characters associated with the history of Waterloo fire fighting. Enlisting as a "torch boy" when a lad 14 years old, he served with the famous L. F. Walker Hose Company until the paid department was organized in 1904. Duties of the torch boy were to illuminate buildings with kerosene flares while the older men battled the flames. Later he became a full fledged member of the volunteer fire department.

He served during the days of keen competition between rival fire companies of other Iowa communities. Races, hose couplings feats, and other events played prominent parts in tournaments held. At one time he acted as pipeman for Assistant Chief Lew Armstrong, who was coupler for the two-man team. The two men won many events in competition with nearby towns.

Captain Garrabrant enlisted with the paid fire department Dec. 16, 1904, and served until illness forced his retirement on Sept. 7, 1925. He was pensioned January 22, 1926.

He served as pipeman lieutenant, captain, and was at the time of his death, fire inspector. He was one of the few men on the department who drove horse-drawn as well as motor-propelled equipment.

He was a charter member of local No. 65, International Association of Fire Fighters, and held an honorary membership in the organization at the time of his death. He also was affiliated with Melchlor court, Ben Hur Life association.

Son of Pioneers. Ira Garrabrant, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Garrabrant, was born Oct. 16, 1866 in Waterloo. The parents were pioneer settlers here, the father being a blacksmith for many years in Waterloo east.

Ira lived here his entire lifetime. He married Miss Ida Bemedom in Waterloo in 1899.

Surviving besides the widow are a son, Ray Garrabrant, 816 Burton avenue, lieutenant in fire station No. 3, and a granddaughter, Jane, 7.

Two brothers, William and Stocton, and a sister, Mrs. L. S. Parsons, preceded their brother in death.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:30 pm Monday at the O'Keefe & Towne chapel. Rev. Lew O. Harris, pastor of Central Christian church will officiate. Burial will be in Fairview cemetery.

Active and retired fire fighters will serve as casket bearers. The body will remain at O'Keefe & Towne mortuary until time of services.