LAMAR, John 1869-1950

LAMAR

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 4/6/2015 at 20:40:26

John Lamar Dies In Pittsburgh

John Lamar, age 80, a pioneer Grundy business man, passed away Wednesday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Everett Wells, in Pittsburgh, Pa. He had been in ill health for the past month.

Mr. Lamar went to Pittsburgh late in the year to spend the winter at the home of his daughter.

The body is on its way to Grundy Center and it will arrive here late Thursday afternoon. Funeral services will be held at the Coffman funeral home at two o'clock Saturday. Burial will be in the Grundy Center cemetery.

His wife preceded him in death two years ago in March. Since that time Mr. Lamar had divided his time between his home in Grundy Center and at the home of his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Everett Wells, in Pittsburgh.

For many years, Mr. Lamar was associated with John Banse in the operation of one of the leading Grundy Center stores, the firm being known as Banse and Lamar. When they retired from business, they sold their grocery to Diamond Brothers.

Mr. Lamar was a 50 year member of the Masonic lodge in Grundy Center.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 20 April 1950, pg 1

-----------------------------------------------

Rites Saturday For J. W. Lamar

Funeral services for John W. Lamar, who died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. E. D. Wells, in Pittsburgh on April 19th were held at the Coffman funeral home Saturday afternoon. Rev. Oliver Stevenson from Cedar Falls, former pastor of the First Presbyterian church in Grundy Center, officiated at the service. Burial was by the side of the wife in the Grundy Center cemetery.

John Lamar was born in Stockport, England, December 15, 1869. He came to this country with his parents when he was a small boy. The family located in Reading, Pa. A number of years later he returned to England and then came back to the United States. He was in Johnstown, Pa., during the time of the destructive flood. From Pennsylvania he came to Grundy Center, where he served as telegraph operator for the Rock Island railroad. From Grundy Center he was transferred to the Rock Island station at Estherville. He was married to Maggie Wallace while he was stationed at Estherville. Some time after that the couple returned to Grundy Center where they spent the remainder of their lives. The wife died March 16, 1948.

For thirty years he with his brother-in-law, John Banse, was engaged in the grocery business in Grundy Center. He retired from business 24 years ago.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge for 57 years and also of the Eastern Star lodge. He was a member of the Presbyterian church and for several years was an elder.

Besides his daughter Lucille, he is survived by one grandson, Everett D. Wells Jr., a son-in-law, Everett D. Wells, and a sister-in-law, Mrs. Belle Banse.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 27 April 1950, pg 6