Lyon, Judge A.C. 1874-1929

LYON, CHRISTIAN, LONG, PATTON, POOLEY

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 8/17/2014 at 13:32:19

The Grinnell (IA) Herald
May 7, 1929

FRIENDS PAY LAST TRIBUTE
AT FUNERAL SERVICES
OF JUDGE A.C. LYON

All that is mortal of "Tad" Lyon lies in Hazelwood cemetery under heaps of fragrant blossoms, symbols of affection sent by many friends. All that is immortal of him, of manly strength, of devotion to high ideals, of good fellowship and of rich personality, remain enshrined in the hearts and minds of his many friends.

Funeral services that were simple but beautiful were held Monday afternoon in the Lyon home, the center of so many pleasant social gatherings in happier times. A large delegation of friends from every walk in life and including a full representation of the members of the Poweshiek county bar, had gathered to say a last farewell to the strong and beloved man whose earthly course had been cut short so suddenly.

The services were opened by a musical number, "In modo antico" by Glazounow, beautifully played by the Grinnell String Quartet, composed of D.E. Peck, first violin, Frank Bryan, second violin, Mrs. E.D. Strong, viola and Professor G.L. Pierce, cello, following which Rev. W.W. Bolt, D.D., read from the Scriptures.

President J.H.T. Main was the first of three speakers and spoke of Judge Lyon as he had known him through long years of association, first as an alumnus and then as a trustee of Grinnell college. He spoke first of the bond of tender love which had united Mr. Lyon with his brother George, who had preceded him in death, as a very beautiful manifestation of brotherly affection. He spoke of Mr. Lyon as he had known him for so many years as a man, reticent but of an outstanding individuality, who had opinions and was not afraid to stand back of them. He spoke of the sunshine which he diffused about him everywhere he went; of the warmth of his handclasp and the sincerity of his friendliness. He referred to him also as a man of courage who stood firm by his convictions even in the face of adversity. Those qualities he said, are immortal, and will remain as an inspiration to us all.

Professor J.W. Gannaway brought a very moving and eloquent tribute to Judge Lyon as a friend. "I will call him 'Tad' he said. "In all the many years that I have known him I do not believe that I have ever once addressed him by any other name." Professor Gannaway said that Judge Lyon's life was marked by the every day living of the high ideals that he had made the principles of his life. He was master of himself at all times; friendly, considerate of others and a man who never in word or in deed transgressed the high standards which he had set for himself. He was a man who had faith in the fundamental moral integrity of his fellowmen. He was a Christian gentleman, true to his better nature and always master of himself.

Rev. W.W. Bolt, D.D., in a few closing words said that he had not known Judge Lyon well during his comparatively brief residence in Grinnell but had learned to consider him as self contained, strong, true to himself, a scholar, a gentleman and a Christian. He offered a few words of earnest prayer and the playing of Haydn's beautiful Andante Cantabile in F sharp by the string quartet closed the service.

Dr. Bolt conducted the brief services at the grave.

Pall bearers were three brothers in law, W.E. Long and W.L. Patton of Mason City and S.J. Pooley of Grinnell, and three nephews, Bradford L. Patton, Roger C. Patton and Willis O. Patton all of Mason City.

Arthur C. Lyon was born in Rockford, Iowa, November 18, 1874. He attended the Rockford schools, graduating from high school there in 1890. His long connection with Grinnell and Grinnell College began with his enrollment as a student here. He took a prominent part in athletics and other college activities and graduated with the class of 1894. Following his graduation he taught school for five years in Mason City, being principal of the high school at the close of his connection there. He entered Harvard law school and completed the course in 1903. During his student days in Harvard, he was a prominent member of the football squad, playing in a number of games on one of Harvard's strongest teams.

Following his graduation Mr. Lyon returned to Iowa and practiced law in Des Moines during 1904 and 1905. He came to Grinnell in 1906 to become general attorney for the Spaulding Manufacturing Co., a connection which continued until 1917. In the course of his duties in that capacity he argued cases before the Supreme Courts of Colorado, Oregon, Wyoming, Iowa, Arkansas and Utah and before lower courts in Texas, Nevada, California, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Missouri, Alabama, Montana, and Iowa. He also argued several cases before the United States Supreme Court. He visited Cuba on legal business in 1906.

After he closed his connection with the Spaulding Company he became president of an abstract company and left this work to enter into active service with the Red Cross during the World War. He was engaged in this work in several southern camps and was chosen as one of the Red Cross delegation which accompanied the United States expeditionary force to northern Asia. On his return from Siberia he became associated with the Grinnell Washing Machine Company for about two years. In 1925 he became judge of the Superior Court in Grinnell.

On Feb. 4, 1914, Judge Lyon was united in marriage with Miss Alma Christian, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G.M. Christian and the home which they established was one of a congenial happiness and a gracious hospitality which no one who ever entered its charmed circle will ever forget. Judge and Mrs. Lyon loved their friends and their friends loved them. Their home has been a center of culture and of a love of beautiful things. It has radiated an appreciation of all that makes life worth while.

It is hard to realize that "Tad" Lyon will be missing from the scenes of his activity for so many years. He has been here so long; always cheerful, always helpful, always interested in good things and ready to help in them.

He was a member of the Congregational church, of the Masons and of the Elks. He will be sorely missed from a smaller group, the Poweshiek Club, in which he was always one of the leading spirits. During his earlier days in Grinnell he was active in dramatic parts. His voice like his personality, was fine and robust, and his singing and acting in the parts of "Poo-Bah" in "The Mikado" and the police sergeant in "The Pirates of Penzance," both performances put on by the Elks lodge, are still often referred to.

During the trip which terminated to unhappily in his death, Judge Lyon had been considering seeking other fields of activity. While in Washington he had been very cordially received and had been assured of an appointment as special assistant to the attorney general as soon as the necessary preliminaries had been completed and these preliminaries were under way when he died. He had been notified that he should report in Washington again in about a week. During Harry Hopkins' recent visit in Grinnell he expressed a wish to get in touch with Judge Lyon, saying that he too had in mind an important position for him.

He had pre-eminently the legal mind. He looked at things from a legal standpoint and he was well fitted for the duties of judge which he had been performing for several years. But he was more than a good lawyer. A manly man, clean living, right thinking and right acting, has gone away from Grinnell.

For twenty years past Judge Lyon had been a trustee of Grinnell College and he performed the duties of that position with the same singleness of purpose and devotion which characterized his attitude toward all the things he was called upon to do.

Besides his wife, he is survived by four sisters, Mrs. S.J. Pooley of this city, Mrs. W.E. Long and Mrs. W.L. Patton of Mason City and Mrs. L.F. Button of Outlook, Saskatchewan, Canada. The first three mentioned with their husband, were here for the funeral. Mrs. Button was so prostrated by the news of his death that it was deemed unwise for her to make the trip. One brother, George Lyon, and one sister, Clara, preceded him in death.

Others from out of town present at the funeral were three nephews, Bradford L. Patton and wife, Roger C. Patton, and Willis O. Patton all of Mason City, a niece, Mrs. Eleanor Long Miller of Mason City, Mr. and Mrs. Burt Thompson of Forest City, Mr. and Mrs. H.H. Stipp of Des Moines, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Struble of Toledo, Mrs. J.H. Jamieson of Des Moines, Mr. and Mrs. H.L. Hedrick, Mrs. McCarel of Ottumwa, Mr. and Mrs. H.H. Coggeshall of Des Moines, Senator F.M. Beatty of Sigourney, U.M. Reed, Frank Talbott, Jack Talbott, Miss Thursia Manatt, Mrs. Nellie Sherwood and Mrs. A.R. McMurray, all of Brooklyn, E.D. Rayburn, C.F. Dickson, Walter Boyd, and Harold Bryan, all of Montezuma, Mr. and Mrs. B.J. Carney and Mrs. Eileen Carney Kelly of Des Moines, Mrs. Philpot of Des Moines and Mr. and Mrs. Westbrook of Chicago.