Despard, John G. “Jack” 1866 – 1916

DESPARD, BICKFORD

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/22/2024 at 16:07:28

Cresco Plain Dealer Aug. 4, 1916 P-1 C-3

“Jack” Despard, a painter employed by J. J. Brown & Son, is dead as the result of a fall from the M. E. church at about 11:30 Tuesday morning. He was at work with the Brown crew which is painting and decorating the church, and had, with C. H. Putman, been directed by Roe Brown to paint the windows and not do any work on the steeple or high part of the church as it was deemed unsafe to try to reach that part of the church with ladders, but for some reason Despard left his window work and attempted to climb to the steeple, having a long ladder on the south side of the building which reached the top of the walls, over which he was evidentally trying to climb or move a ladder, when he either slipped and fell or grasped some of the ornamental brick work on top of the wall which gave way and fell with him, a distance of about thirty feet, to the ground. Mrs. J. J. Brown happened to be passing by and saw him fall, but did not see the cause of it.
Mr. Despard was taken to the hospital, where it was found that he had a broken leg and had sustained injuries to the head and body that resulted in partial paralysis. Although conscious most of the time, he passed away rather suddenly about 7 o’clock Wednesday morning.
The funeral takes place this afternoon at the Congregational church, Rev. Kerwin officiating, and is in charge of the Woodmen of the World.
Later—Owing to the inability of relatives from New York to arrive today, the funeral has been postponed till Saturday afternoon.

Cresco Plain Dealer Aug. 11, 1916 P-1 C-3,4

DESPARD.
John G. Despard was born in Allamakee county, near Waukon, March 26th, 1866 and died at Cresco Aug 2, 1916. When a child he came to Cresco with his parents where he has lived ever since excepting a few years he lived in Minneapolis. He leaves to mourn his departure two brothers, Robert of LeRoy and Richard W. of Cresco, and two sisters, Mrs. Frank Bickford of Cresco and Mrs. John Despard of Scottsville, N. Y., besides several nieces and nephews. He was a loving brother and uncle and will be sadly missed by them all. Funeral services conducted by Rev. W. S. Kirwin were held at the Congregational Church Sunday afternoon and burial was in New Oregon cemetery.

New Oregon Cemetery
 

Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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