JEFFRIES, John Q.

JEFFERIES, MAYNARD, SANBORN, DURRENBERGER, BRYANT, LYNN, PARKHILL

Posted By: Michael Kearney (email)
Date: 1/12/2002 at 17:22:49

The Clinton Herald Monday May 17, 1937 p. 5 John Q. Jefferies, 75, a life-long resident of this city and prominent in business, fraternal and civic circles many years, died shortly after noon today in Jane Lamb hospital where he had been a patient since March 12. Funeral services probably will be held Thursday afternoon in DeMolay consistory. The body will repose in the home of a son, Lyle M. Jefferies, 750 Bluff boulevard, after late this afternoon. John Qunicy Jefferies was born in the old town of Lyons, Aug. 15, 1861. His father, John J. Jefferies, settled there in 1857. He spent his boyhood there and was educated in the public schools and Riverside Institute. In 1877 the family moved to Clinton. As a young man Mr. Jefferies worked with his father and learned the mason's trade in which he became very proficient, doing the ornamental stucco work on many of the city's finest buildings. During the winter months Mr. Jefferies taught school and in 1889 he was elected county superintendent of schools. His work was so successful he was reelected in 1891 by an overwhelming majority. At the close of his second term, in 1893, he joined with several other business men to found the firm of J.Q. Jefferies and Company, the purpose of which was to carry on a real estate and insurance business. Offices were occupied at 218 Fifth avenue South. The business has been conducted successfully up to and including the present. A number of years ago Mr. Jefferies bought the interest of his associates and later his son, Lyle M. Jefferies, became associated with him in the business. In 1899 Mr. Jefferies was appointed special agent for the Pacific Fire Insurance company of New York, covering Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. He filled this position until retirement of the company from business. He afterwards was employed in a like capacity for a number of other well-known companies until exigencies of his family and business made it necessary for him to spend all his time in this city. Mr. Jefferies was married Nov. 8, 1882, to Florence Maynard, of Tipton. To this union were born four children; Fred, who was drowned in the Mississippi river Sept. 7, 1889; Lyle M. Jefferies, of Clinton; Carl E. Jefferies, who died October 24, 1918, and Diana Ruth, who died Nov. 4, 1895. Mrs. Jefferies died Aug. 7, 1894. Mr. Jefferies was married Dec. 9, 1895 to Clara F. Sanborn. Two children were born to them, Ruth Warren, who died March 30, 1900, and Frances Elizabeth, who later was Mrs. J.A. Durrenberger of Valdosta, Ga., and who is now deceased. Mrs. Jefferies died Dec. 1, 1927. Mr. Jefferies became affiliated with Lincoln lodge, 42 I.O.O.F. in 1882, serving in the various offices, inclding Noble Grand and district deputy grand master. He was made a member of Emulation lodge, 255, A.F.&A.M., in 1900 and later became a member of Keystone chapter, 32, R.A.M.; Delta council, 23, Royal and Select Masters, of which he became a past master and Holy Cross commandery, 10, Knights Templar. He became a member of DeMolay consistory, A.A.S.R. Masons, in 1901, and was an earnest worker in that organization. He served two terms as Master of Xadosh and was almener of the Scottish Rite bodies for many years. He was a member of the building committee which erected the cathedral. In 1915 Mr. Jefferies was elected Kiight Commander of the Court of Honor and in 1919 was coroneted 33rd degree inspector general. Mr. Jefferies was the first secretary of the Clinton Commercial club, serving in that capacity a number of years. He was later president of the organization. He was a charter member and second president of the Clinton Rotary club. In 1918-19 he served as chairman of the Clinton County Red Cross during which time he established an emergency hospital to care for flu sufferers in the epidemic of 1918. He is survived by one son, Lyle M. Jefferies and five grandchildren, Lyle M. Jefferies, Jr., Margaret and Florence Jefferies, John Durrenberger and Joseph Warren Durrenberger, and three nieces, Mrs. John B. Bryant, Mount Vernon, Mrs. William Lynn, Wauchula, Fla. and Miss Evelyn Parkhill, Arkansas City, Kan.