Emery, James M. (died 196)

EMERY

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 10/23/2009 at 19:47:24

From: Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, April 4, 1916

DEATH OF A PIONEER

COL. J. M. EMERY PASSES AWAY AT LONG BEACH, CAL.

FORMERLY POSTMASTER HERE

Col. J. M. Emery, a former well known resident of LeMars died at his home in Long Beach, California, on Friday, March 31.

Mr. Emery was well known to all the older residents of LeMars. He came here from Pennsylvania in the later seventies and was a resident of LeMars for many years.

In early days he conducted the Depot hotel, which was located across Main street near the railroad tracks. In May, 1878, the hotel was destroyed by fire by the explosion of a kerosene
lamp.

Col. Emery was postmaster in LeMars under the administration of Garfield and Arthur.

He was subsequently for some years on the staff of the LeMars Sentinel. He later went to Chicago, where he was engaged in newspaper work and where his wife, Mrs. Emery, was prominent in musical circles. They had a son and a daughter, Clarke and May Lou. Col. Emery served in the civil war and was taken prisoner and was incarcerated in Andersonville prison. In the years following the war he delivered lectures on "Prison Life in Andersonville" and on other topics connected with the war. While a resident of LeMars he was active in political and social affairs and was a prominent figure in the community. He was about 73 years old and is survived by his wife and children.