James Lea

LEA, FOSTER

Posted By: Robert Foster (email)
Date: 3/1/2014 at 13:55:17

Newspaper article from Maud Carrie McIntyre Foster's album dated 1917

JAMES LEA, PIONEER HOTEL MAN, IS DEAD
Through the Proprieter's Death Glidden Will Lose Its Most Celebrated Place of Business Which Will be Closed

The announcement Sunday evening that James Lea was dead caused a strange and unreal feeling in the hearts of Glidden people. Those who intimately knew of his physical condition were aware that he was nearing the valley of the shadow, but James Lea had so long been connected with Glidden life that it did not seem possible that he would be no longer with us. The business interests of the town will never seem the same hereafter.

A general failing of health had kept Mr. Lea in bed for the past few weeks. He died at 7 o'clock Sunday evening, March 4th, at his home at the hotel, lacking but 23 days of being 76 years old.

Those who mourn James Leas's death are not limited by the people of Glidden and vicinity. He was acquainted personally with more traveling salesmen than any man in Glidden and more knights of the road knew and respected him than any landlord in any small town in Iowa. James Lea's good qualities were manifest to all who became acquainted with him. He had no use for hypocrisy, and we have yet to learn of the man who ever claimed that he had not been fairly treated by him. This application of the golden rule extended not only in his personal relations but in his business as well. Traveling men all over the state, and even in adjoining state, knew of Lea's Hotel, and when in this part of Iowa tried whenever possibly to eat at least one good chicken dinner there. Mr. Lea, perhaps, did not make as much money from his dining room as some, but he certainly always made it the rule to give his customers their money's worth -- and more.

And now announcement is made that the hotel will no longer be conducted by the Lea family. The building will either be sold or rented and someone else will probably use it for hotel purposes. But however efficient the new proprietor may be in his line the place will never again be Lea's Hotel. Glidden could better afford to loose a half dozen other business places than this one.

James Lea was born at Shropshire, England, March 27, 1841. He came to America when a child with his parents, who settled at Waukesha, Wis. He remained there till manhood when he became a resident of Etna, Minn. He was married to Maggie Nyde in 1857, and this helpmate died in 1878. Mr. Lea then returned to Waukesha and for many years was identified with the Industrial School for Boys in that place. In 1882 he was married to Emma McIntyre. The same year he came to Glidden where he has remained , being a resident here for over thirty years. He was a civil war veteran, a member of Co. D., Brackett's battalion of cavalry. He was mustered in Jan. 5th, 1864, as a corporal, and discharged with his company in June, 1866. Deceased is survived by his widow; Miss Grace, who has always been at home and has so faithfully assisted her father in conducting the hotel; Mrs. Foster of Gladbrook, another daughter; two sisters, Mrs A. C. Postle of Lime Springs, and Mrs Faulkner, who has formed one of the family for a number of years.

The funeral was conducted at the home Tuesday afternoon at 2:30, in charge of Rev. J. E. Matheny. The hotel lobby was crowded with friends who came to pay their respects to the departed pioneer. Burial followed at Westlawn cemetery.

Card of Thanks - We hereby wish to express our heartiest thanks to the friends who aided and comforted us in any way during our recent bereavement. Mrs. James Lea and family.