B.P. Parmar Lancaster

LANCASTER

Posted By: Rebecca Foster (email)
Date: 9/10/2014 at 11:30:46

B. P. Parmar Lancaster, pioneer River Captain, dies at age of 88 years at home in Le Claire

B. Parmar Lancaster, pioneer upper river steamboat captain died Sunday in Le Claire at the age of 88 years. He succumbed to a brief-illness.

Captain Lancaster as born July 29, 1840 in Ohio, When five years of age he came west to Le Claire with his parents and had resided there since.

In early young manhood he answered the lure of the glamorous river and entered into a career of steam-boating on one of the pioneer side-wheelers which frequented the port of Le Claire. About the time he had mastered the difficulties of a pilot he resigned his post to become a member of the union army in the civil war.

He served with a company of infantry throughout the war and following the cessation of hostilities returned to his home and to the business of river traffic. For many years he served in the capacity of pilot on various crafts and later became one of the best known captains in the log raft and packet trades, directing activities on the Morning Star and Helen Blair as well as other boats. His advanced age forced him to retire some years ago.

He was married to Miss Emma Elliott at Le Claire shortly after his return from army service. She preceded him in death in 1915. He had been active in the affairs of the John R. Buckman post, G. A. R. at Le Claire.

Surviving are four sons, S. E. Lancaster of Seattle, Thomas and John of Washington and M. J. of Minneapolis; three sisters, Mrs. Mary Shirley of Mont-Morris Colo. Mrs. Sarah Cummings of California and Mrs. Ollie Finley of Stanton, Iowa, and several grandchildren.

Source: The Daily Times, Davenport, Ia., 15 Oct 1928.

Contributed by Sue Rekkas.