LANE, Albert Boutwell 1859-1939

LANE, ORDWAY, SMITH, LYLE

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 7/3/2017 at 11:45:58

ALBERT B. LANE, 79, CITY STREET WORKER, IS DEAD

Son of Pioneer Grocer Known by Thousands,

Member of Elk Run Drum Corps.

Albert B. Lane an active street department worker at age 79, who was known by thousands of Waterloo residents, died at 1:25 A.M. Monday at his home, at 1413 Jefferson Street.

He had been brought home from work on Monday of the preceding week, ill of influenza, and complications developed. His health had been failing gradually for several years.

Born in Waterloo, July 16, 1859, Albert Boutwell Lane was the son of Henry A. Lane, pioneer grocer, and Harriett Ordway Lane, emigrants from New York. H. A. Lane, who had arrived in Iowa in 1857, conducted a store in Waterloo, and later in Hudson. Albert Lane and his sister, Mrs. Ida. L. Mitchell, now at the Western Old People's Home in Cedar Falls, spent most of their lives in Waterloo.

Twice married, Mr. Lane married Miss Mary Smith in Waterloo in 1879 and four children were born to the union. Mr. and Mrs. Lane later were divorced, and she preceded him in death. In September, 1898, Mr. Lane married Matilda Lyle, and one daughter was born to this union.

Mrs. Lane died five years ago, and Mr. Lane has since resided with a daughter, Mrs. Nellie Mercurio, at the Jefferson address.

Surviving, besides Mrs. Mercurio, are two other daughters, Mrs. C. A. Moessner, 300 Black Hawk Rd, Waterloo and Mrs. Louis Anderson, Ft Dodge, Iowa, a son H. A. Lane, Tulsa, Okla., and 14 grandchildren and ll great-grandchildren.Funeral services will be conducted at 2 P.M. Wednesday in the Union Congregational church by Rev. V. V. Wortman, pastor. Burial will be in the Elmwood Cemetery.

The body was taken to the Kistner Funeral Home.Active In Church Albert Lane was active in his boyhood and young manhood in the Sunday school and young people's department of the First Congregational Church. He was a member of that church for very many years, and recently of Union Congregational Church.Albert engaged in many different occupations. For several years past he was a street cleaner on Commercial and Fourth, where every morning before there was any pedestrian or vehicular traffic he was busy with his brush and wheeled cart. He arose in summer at 3.a.m. and in the winter at 5 or 6.

All his life he was faithful to whatever task came to his hands, and he was cheery no matter how lowly were his labors. Prior to becoming a city "White Wing," he was a laborer in the city street department.Operated Dairy Route In the earlier years, Mr. Lane operated a dairy wagon, a peddler's outfit, and was partner for some time in a meat market at 1217 Jefferson Street. While he was conducting a dairy route his home was at 927 West Sixth Street and 1006 Colorado Street.

For many years Albert Lane beat the bass drum in the Elk Run Drum Corps, which brought martial music to quicken the pulses of the early settlers at their annual picnics. His co-musicians for this martial treat were: Dr. John Evans, New Hartford: M. A. Parsons, Volga City, and Rev. Fred P. Fisher and Frank Barron, Waterloo.

SOURCE: Waterloo Daily Courier (1939).

Note: Transcribed by Leonard A Granger, great-grandson of Albert B. Lane.

NOTES: Len Granger adds this information:

My great-grandfather, born in Waterloo, was a hand street cleaner "White Wing," when horses were the mode of transportation. He would start at 3 a.m. cleaning the main downtown city streets. He was still working for the city at age 79, when he died.

Photo of Albert courtesy of Len Granger.

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