George Tromley

TROMLEY, MCCRANEY

Posted By: Rebecca Foster (email)
Date: 9/10/2014 at 15:32:40

TWO OLD PILOTS HAVE ANCHORS

Veterans Winans and Tromley sail for unknown
Captain M. S. Winans, of Albany and Captain George Tromley, Sr., of Le Claire Dead.

Captain George Tromley.

Identified with the Mississippi almost as long as Captain Winans, was Captain George Tromley, who passed away at his home in Le Claire Sunday. Born in Montreal , Canada , Dec. 15, 1828, he came to the United States when a small boy, settling in St. Louis. The great river, then the home of heroes of all western boyish hearts attracted his attention and he began his career when but a small lad. From that time until last year, when he gave up his berth as captain of the Lydia Van Sant, he followed the winding of the great natural thoroughfare from St. Paul to New Orleans, from Cairo to Pittsburg and St. Louis to the headwaters of the Missouri, reading the faces of the stream and guiding the wealth of farmers, merchants and mechanics and the lives of thousands of emigrants to their ports.

The greater part of his life was spent as a pilot, working on the river in summer and living quietly at his home in Le Claire in winter. He leaves a wife, a daughter, Mrs. Elmer McCraney and two sons, who have followed the career of their father, Captain George Tromley, of the steamer Juanita. Rev. R. Pugh, of the Presbyterian church of Le Claire will conduct the funeral services at the home and the remains will be interred in the Le Claire cemetery.

Source: Daily Times, Davenport, Ia., 18 Oct 1904, p. 4.

Contributed by Sue Rekkas.

DEATH SUMMONS POPULAR PILOT, CAPT. TROMLEY
Was one of Best Known Steamboat Men on the Upper Mississippi.

Capt George Tromley, 63 years of age and well known among the older river men of this vicinity, passed away Wednesday evening shortly after 9 o’clock at his home, 615 East thirteenth Street , Davenport . He had been a sufferer from stomach trouble for the past four months and that ailment was the direct cause of his demise. He recently underwent a severe operation.

Captain Tromley had served as captain and pilot on the Mississippi river for many years, practically his entire life having been spent on the Father of Waters, until six years ago when ha and his family moved to Davenport . Since then he had been employed by the Builders Sand & Gravel Co. of this city. For 20 years Captain Tromley had charge of the St. Croix in the employ of the Mueller Lumber Company and later was connected with the I. W. Van Sant and the Lydia Van Sant.

Born in St. Louis , Dec. 7, 1856, he came to Le Claire with his parents when a small child. He was united in marriage with Miss Alice Laycock, Dec. 7, 1881. His widow and one daughter, Miss Ruth Tromley, are the only survivors. Another daughter passed away in 1895 when she was 12 years. The deceased was a member of Trinity Lodge, A. F. & A. M.

Funeral services are announced to be held from the late home at 1:30 o’clock Friday afternoon with burial in the Le Claire cemetery. Rev. Frank Cole of St. John’s M. E. church will officiate.

Source: The Davenport Democrat & Leader, Davenport, Ia., 03 Apr 1919.

Contributed by Sue Rekkas.

Tromley Funeral

The funeral of Capt. George Tromley, late river pilot was held at 1:30 o’clock yesterday afternoon from the home, 815 thirteenth St. Davenport , with Rev. Frank Cole officiating. Grace Huber rendered “Jesus Saviour Pilot me” and “Sometimes We’ll Understand.” The pallbearers from the home were A. E. Naumann, Frank Smith, S. C. Simpson and Robert Rathmann.
The body was taken to Le Claire for internment the pallbearers at Le Claire were Capt. Orrin Smith, Newton Nesbit, N. M. Smith, and S. C. Simpson.

Capt R. H. Tromley, a brother and Mrs. William McCraney, sister of Davenport , were omitted from Thursdays list of survivors.

Source: Daily Times, Davenport, Ia., 05 Apr 1919.
Contributed by Sue Rekkas.