JAMES, Dr. Lora Douglas 1882 - 1963

JAMES, HEASLEY, KAMP, HAMMANS

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 7/4/2025 at 18:23:46

"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Monday, September 30, 1963
Front Page, Columns 1 and 2,
and Page 5, Column 1

Dr. JAMES, Fairfield's Senior Physician, Dies

Dr. L. D. JAMES, 81, Fairfield's senior physician and long-time military officer, died suddenly about 6 a.m. Sunday at his home at Walton Lake.

He had been in failing health for the past four months and until recently had been a hospital patient at Ottumwa. But his death yesterday was sudden and unexpected.

He had been a practicing physician and surgeon in Fairfield for the past 55 years.

Last rites will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the First Methodist church with the Rev. J. Roland Crandall officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen cemetery. The body will be taken from the Raymond funeral home to the church at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Born in 1882

Lora D. JAMES was born May 22, 1882, near Centerville, the son of Stephen Charles and Sarah E. HEASLEY JAMES. He was reared and educated in Centerville. He was united in marrage (sic) to Laura KAMP at Fairfield. She preceded her husband in death on Jan. 18, 1950 (sic - Jan. 16th). He was also preceded in death by a son, two brothers and a sister.

Dr. JAMES had been a member of the Methodist church for 44 years. He was also a charter member of the local American Legion Post, a past trustee of B.P.O. Elks 1192; he was a member of the V.F.W.; a lifetime member of Walton Club; the Association of Military Surgeons; Association of Railway Surgeons; American Medical Society. He was also a life-time member of the Iowa Medical Society; National and the Ohio Associations Rainbow Division Veterans; Last Chance Barracks 724, Veterans of World War I, and others.

r. (sic) JAMES is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Wayne HAMMANS, Fairfield.

A native of Appanoose county, Dr. JAMES graduated from Northwestern university school of medicine. He practiced in Centerville for six months before returning to Chicago for his internship. In 1908 he opened his practice in Fairfield.

He used a bicycle to make his calls when he first started practicing in Fairfield, and at one time he commented, "Time was when we almost had to drag people to the hospital."

He also used a horse and buggy for a time and purchased his first automobile in 1914.

If Dr. JAMES had a trademark, it was his ever-present pipe. He had a collection that numbers well over a hundred. It was also an every-day sight to see the doctor taking his child patients to get their ice cream cones.

During his 55 years in Fairfield, he occupied only three offices. His first was located on the second floor of the Stubbs building on the east side of the square. Next he occupied quarters at 109 W. Burlington before moving to his latest office at 110 S. Court where he had been for the past eight years. His daughter, Mrs. Wayne HAMMANS, served as his office receptionist.

Military

In addition to medicine, Dr. JAMES has a life-long interest in the military. His first service was as a member of Unit R, organized in Fairfield by the late Dr. J. Fred Clarke at the outbreak of World War I. The unit saw active duties overseas and was discharged at Camp Dodge in May, 1919.

A short time after Dr. JAMES joined the Iowa National Guard with the rank of major and was assigned to the 113th infantry. He later organized the 133rd Medical detachment which later became a separate company with headquarters in Fairfield.

In 1935 Dr. JAMES was appointed 34th Division surgeon and commanding officer of the 34th Division Medical regiment. He was discharged from federal service in 1940 with the rank of colonel.

The following year he was called to duty with the Iowa State Guard as commanding officer of the Medical Company, First Regiment.

In 1942 he began a year of active duty at Camp Dodge as head of the Iowa State Guard Military Police battalion medical unit. He has been the recipient of a large number of citations and wards (sic) during his long military career.

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"The Fairfield Ia. Ledger"
Friday, October 4, 1963
Page 7, Column 8

NOTICE OF PROBATE OF WILL IN DISTRICT COURT

State of Iowa,
Jefferson County, ss.

To All Whom It May Concern:

You Are Hereby Notified, That an instrument of writing purporting to be the last Will and Testament of Lora Douglas JAMES, deceased, dated January 17, 1950 having been this day filed, open and read, Wednesday the 16th day of October, 1963, is fixed for hearing proof of same at the Court House in Fairfield, Iowa, before the District Court of said County, or the Clerk of said Court; and at 9:30 o'clock a.m. of the day above mentioned all persons interested are hereby notified and required to appear, and show cause, if any they have, why said instrument should not be probated and allowed as and for the last Will and Testament of said deceased.

Dated at Fairfield, Iowa,
October 2, 1963
W. S. Parkin
Clerk of District Court
By: Betty M. Burger, Deputy
Oct. 4

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Lot 2nd.018 with wife Laura.

Jefferson Obituaries maintained by Joey Stark.
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