Lester M. Eldred 1871-1910

ELDRED, BROOKS, KELLEY

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 3/4/2011 at 00:30:23

Former Oelwein Man Passes
L. M. Eldred Who Left Here Eleven Years Ago Died at Estherville
The Estherville Enterprise contains the information relative to the death of L. M. Eldred who was employed by Will S. Pitt in the jewelry business eleven years ago. He will be recalled by Oelwenites whose residence here extend back beyond that period. Following is a clipping from that paper:

Lester M. Eldred died at his home in this city yesterday afternoon at 2:45 o’clock of blood poisoning. He was taken sick Saturday afternoon and became delirious Sunday evening. Gradually growing worse until death called him. Some few days previous to taking ill he scratched his elbow on a showcase. He paid no attention to the small injury until Saturday morning when it began to bother him. Saturday afternoon his arm began to pain him and he secured medical assistance. Everything possible was done without avail. Mr. Eldred, although a large healthy looking man, had a weak constitution and fell an easy victim to the dreaded disease. He was born in Waterloo in 1871 and was conducting a jewelry business in Estherville. (Oelwein Daily Register, Oelwein, IA, August 8, 1910)

L. M. Eldred Dies Suddenly
One of Estherville’s Leading Business Men Dies Tuesday [August 2, 1910] of Blood Poisoning
Sick Only Three Days
Funeral to be Held From Methodist Church Thursday Afternoon at Two O’clock
Lester M. Eldred, one of the leading jewelers of this city, did at 2:45 p.m. Tuesday of blood poisoning, caused by a scratch on his right arm near the elbow made by a metal corner of a show case in his store sometime Thursday or Friday. The first however that the detected anything serious was on Saturday when he sought medical aid. Everything known to science was done for him but no relief was had and he gradually grew worse until Tuesday afternoon when Death relieved him of his suffering.

Funeral is to be held Thursday afternoon at two o’clock from the Methodist church, conducted by Rev. W. E. Wasser. Deceased has lived in Estherville eleven years, having moved here from Sibley, Aug. 1st, 1899. During that time he has been engaged in the jewelry business, first for M. G. Wilson, later for Fred Richman, Jay Johnston and Mrs. Olson, and for the past five years for himself. He was a skilled workman, an excellent business man and one of our best citizens. He was born Aug. 31, 1871, at Waterloo, Iowa, where he spent his boyhood days and learned the trade of a watchmaker and engraver. He afterwards went to Oelwein and from there to Sibley. February 28th, 1900, he was married to Miss Myrtle E. Brooks of Sibley. To this union three children were born, all of whom are living: Elizabeth Amy, six years old; Lester Marcus, aged four, and George William, aged two.

Mr. Eldred was a highly respected member of Estherville lodge No. 528 B.P.O.E. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, August 3, 1910)

L. M. Eldred carried life insurance to the amount of $3,000. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, August 10, 1910)

Estherville Mourns Death
Lester M. Eldred a Leading Citizen
Father Returned Yesterday From Son’s Funeral
Newton E. Eldred of the Waterloo postoffice, returned yesterday from Estherville, where he went to attend the funeral of his son, Lester M. Eldred, whose sudden death a week ago was a shock to his relatives and friends in this city.

The Vindicator and Republican of Estherville in its issue of August 3 had the following obituary notice of this former Waterloo boy: (Obituary follows)

The Waterloo Courier adds: His parents, Mr. and Mrs. N. E. Eldred and one brother, Robert Eldred, reside in Waterloo and one sister, Mrs. Harvey Kelley, resides in the west. (Waterloo Evening Courier, Waterloo, IA, August 9, 1910)