Lister, James 1830-1902

LISTER, MOSS, NEEDHAM

Posted By: Barbara Hug (email)
Date: 8/1/2003 at 00:30:29

An Old Citizen Passes Away

Mr. James Lister -- or Uncle Jim Lister, as he has been known in Newton for the past forty-six years -- passed away at his home on North Farmer's street, a little after three o'clock last Sunday afternoon, aged seventy-two years, five months and four days. Mr. Lister was born in Menston, England, Feb. 9, 1830, and was married to Mrs. Ann Foster, May 8, 1851, at Bradford, England.

In the year 1856, during the great Mormon emigration, Mr. and Mrs. Lister came to America, the trip requiring five weeks between Liverpool and Boston. In August of the same year, they arrived in Newton overland, with the multitudes of Mormons enroute for Salt Lake City. Concluding that the trip westward would be very hazardous, especially when winter time would come, they decided to remain in Newton. Other members of the party who also remained with their families, were: Tom Smith (our present street commissioner) John Lloyd, Edward Batty, John X. Davis, John Evans and others.

From that time until his death Mr. Lister remained a resident of Newton. For over thirty-five years he was engaged in the butcher business, his meat market being on Main street in the old frame building now occupied by Martin & Rasmussen's carpenter shop. In 1874 he renounced the Salt Lake Mormonism and cast his lot with the Re-organized Church of Latter Day Saints.

His wife died February 4, 1891, and on the 25th of April, 1895, he was married to Mrs. Eliza Moss, proprietor of the City Green House, who survives him. He leaves no children of his own but one step-daughter, Mrs. Frank A. Needham, and a foster son, William T. Lister, of the Chase-Lister Theatrical Co., to who he was greatly attached. He also leaves one brother, John F. Lister of this city.

The funeral was held at the home at 2:30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rector J. Evans Ryan, assisted by Rev. W. C. Nirk of Rhodes. A number of relatives and friends from Des Moines and other points were present. ~ The Newton Daily News, July 17, 1902

Newton Union Cemetery
 

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