Coad, James A., 1865-1921

COAD

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/30/2016 at 22:22:34

From the Rock Valley Bee, July 29, 1921:

WELL KNOWN ALTON MAN DIES OF HEART FAILURE

James A. Coad, a well known oil dealer of Alton, died of heart failure on the road three miles east of Hawarden last week Wednesday morning [July 20]. He was on his way to Beresford, S.D., to look after some business interests. He was driving over a piece of newly graded road which was very rough. He killed his engine and got out of the car to crank it. He had just gotten into the car again when he fell forward. Members of the grading crew saw him and hurried to him, but life was extinct when they reached him. The remains were taken to Hawarden and later to Alton and from there shipped to his old home is Wisconsin.

Mr. Coad had not been well for a couple of days before his death. He had made plans to go to Beresford Tuesday, but told a friend that he would not go unless he felt better, however, he started for Beresford that morning as he had planned.

The deceased was born at Mineral Point, Wisconsin, fifty-six years ago but had been a resident of Sioux County for many years. He formed a wide acquaintance throughout the county and adjoining counties while building up his oil business. He was one of the few individuals able to make a success of the oil business in competition with the Standard Oil Co. He is survived by one son who lives in Minneapolis, a sister who lives in Wisconsin, and a brother, Dr. N. G. O. Coad, of Los Angeles, California.

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From the LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, July 26, 1921:

DEATH WAS SUDDEN
JAMES A. COAD SUCCUMBS TO HEART FAILURE
WAS FOUND DEAD IN HIS CAR
Was Well Known in Northwestern Iowa Where He Was Engaged in the Oil Business in Competition with the Standard Oil Company.

Alton Democrat: James A. Coad was found dead in his car on the road three miles east of Hawarden about 7 o'clock Tuesday morning, his death apparently resulting from heart failure. The road was being graded at this point and workmen observed the car moving slowly over the rough road. At one point the car stopped and Mr. Coad was seen to get out and crank it up. He was barely started again when he lurched in the seat and fell over. The graders rushed to his assistance but he had breathed his last before they reached him. The body was taken to Hawarden and brought to Alton Wednesday morning by Win S. White, of Sioux City, a cousin of the deceased. Arrangements were made Wednesday to ship the remains to Mineral Point, Wis., where his parents are buried and a sister still resides.

James A. Coad was born in 1865 at Mineral Point, Wisconsin, and was 56 years old last March. He has lived in Sioux County for years and as a young man was employed by his brother, Dr. N. G. O. Coad, in the latter's drug store at Hull. He was married at Hull in March, 1887, and a son was born, Cecil Walters Coad, now a dentist practicing in Minneapolis. In September, 1890, Mrs. Coad secured a divorce.

Mr. Coad was well known throughout the country where he built up a successful oil business, in competition with the Standard Oil company, operating under the name of the Alton Tank Line, with a number of stations in the county and one at Beresford, S.D., the latter station having been sold recently. For years Mr. Coad has figured in numerous court cases relative to his business and several cases are still pending.

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The obituary appears in the Alton Democrat, July 23, 1921, but a portion is blurry and/or blacked out. It also adds the following paragraph:

At the time of his death, Mr. Coad was on his way to Beresford to attend to business interests. He had been restless the day preceding his death. He was out in the country in his car with S. R. Hunt Tuesday evening looking for sweet corn, and complained of his side hurting, saying that he would not start for Beresford the next morning if he did not feel better. Apparently he was better as he got an early start Wednesday morning.