James A. Redfield, 1868-1931
REDFIELD, DICKINSON, SUMMERS
Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 7/5/2013 at 14:24:19
J.A. REDFIELD DIES AT HOME ON LAKE SHORE
Heart Attack Fatal to Prominent Spencer Man
James A. Redfield, 63, for 32 years one of the leaders in Spencer commercial and civic circles, died suddenly Monday evening, November 9, 1931, at his cottage on Pocahontas point, West Lake Okoboji, at about 9:45 o'clock. Heart disease was the cause of his death.
His sudden passing came as a distinct shock to the entire Spencer community. Since the Spencer fire in which his building, the Redfield block, was destroyed, Mr. Redfield has been an almost constant figure along Main street watching the progress of the new structure that he was building to replace the ruins. No hint that he was ill was current among his friends, although he, himself, his family and his physician were aware that he was suffering from a heart ailment that was at all times dangerous.
Death came as he was seated with his family in his summer home where he has resided since the fire destroyed the building in which he maintained apartments. According to his physician, who arrived, within a half hour after Mr. Redfield was stricken, death was practically instantaneous.
Funeral Thursay
Funeral services are to be held from the Jones Funeral home in Spencer Thursday afternoon, November 12, at two-thirty o'clock with interment to be in the mausoleum at Riverside cemetery.
Dr. John O. Thrush of River Falls, Wisconsin, former pastor of the First Congregational church of Spencer and a long-time friend of Mr. Redfield, will officiate, assisted by Rev. Benjamin J. Trickey, present pastor of the church.
James A. Redfield was born in Stark county, Illinois, near Lafayette, August 2, 1868, and was the oldest of two children of G.H. and Mary R. (White) Redfield. G.H. Redfield was a farmer and one of the earliest settlers in Stark county. James A. Redfield grew to young manhood on his father's farm. He attended the district school, Toulon academy and later Lombard college at Galesburg.
After finishing school he engaged in the furniture business in Wyoming, Illinois, for fifteen months. During this time he wedded Miss Laura A. Dickinson, a daughter of R.J. and Letitia Dickinson, prominent in Stark county. Three children were born. Twins, Edith and Jane G. died in infancy. The daughter who survives with her mother is Irmaa, now Mrs. Howard Summers of Spencer.
Came Here in 1899
Later Mr. Redfield went into Starrett Brothers department store at Wyoming, Illinois, and after three years opened a furniture store in Rippey, Iowa, in connection with John W. Dickinson.
June 12, 1899, Mr. Redfield moved to Spencer and entered the furniture and undertaking business. His commercial enterprise here was very successful and he quickly became one of the leaders in business affairs in this section.
Shortly before the war, Mr. Redfield sold his undertaking business to Roy L. Cobb, but later repurchased it when Mr. Cobb went into the service. Cobb later repurchased an interest and later the business and has operated it since that time. Mr. Redfield retiring from active life except for the management of his building.
Worked Hard Recently
When the Spencer fire consumed his building at Fifth and Main streets, Mr. Redfield jumped back into the harness again and set about to rebuild at once. He caused plans to be drawn for one of the finest structures of the new district, an all-fireproff building of the most modern design. Construction started about the first of September and Mr. Redfield has been constantly in attendance, taking a personal interest in the work as it progressed.
It is though that the fire, the resultant confusion and worries of rebuilding may have contributed to weaken his heart and cause his death.
Mr. Redfield was an active member of Evening Shaded lodge No. 312, A.F. & A.M. at Spencer, the I.O.O.F. Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He was well known in social circles and numbered among his friends the leading residents of the Spencer community.
Celebrated Anniversary
Last Sunday night, the evening before his death, Mr. and Mrs. Redfield were honored at a dinner party served in honor of their 37th wedding anniversary. The dinner was served at the inn of Dan Jeppeson at Lake Okoboji, Mr. and Mrs. Summers being hosts. During the dinner hour a beautiful bouquet of chrysanthemums was presented to Mrs. Redfield by her friends. Guests at the last party were Mr. and Mrs. O.A. Bjornstad, Mr. and Mrs. R.L. Koch, Mr. and Mrs. E.G. Morgan, Jr., Judge and Mrs. George A. Heald, Mrs. Frank Medlar, Mr. and Mrs. W.W. Cornwall, and Mr. and Mrs. H.E. Glover.
Source: Spencer News Herald, Spencer, Clay County, Iowa; November 12, 1931.
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Funeral services for the late James A. Redfield, prominent Spencer resident who passed away suddently of heart disease November 9, were held last Thursday afternoon from the chapel of the Jones Funeral home in Spencer with hundreds of mourning friends and acquaintances of this city and community in attendance. The capacity of the funeral rooms was taxed early and many were unable to gain admittance to the flower banked room where the final honors were paid.
Rev. John O. Thrush of River Falls, Wisconsin, and Rev. Benjamin J. Trickey of Spencer officiated and interment was at the mausoleum at Riverside cemetery.
Six friends of land standing carried the body of Mr. Redfield to its resting place. They were Dan Jeppeson of Okoboji, Otto A. Bjornstad, Harry E. Glover, H.M. Sharpe, Walter Twetten and C.H. Jones, Sr., all of Spencer.
Source: Spencer News Herald, Spencer, Clay County, Iowa; November 19, 1931.
Interment in Riverside cemetery
Clay Obituaries maintained by Kris Meyer.
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