Wilcox, Clarence L., 1859-1937

WILCOX, GILSON, DAGGETT, THURBER

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:33

From the Sioux County Capital, December 23, 1937:

C. L. WILCOX IS DEAD

Old time residents of Orange City will regret to learn of the death in Billings, Mont. Sunday, Dec. 5, of Clarence L. Wilcox, a former resident here. About 30 years ago, Wilcox owned a livery stable here which did a big business before the advent of the automobile. However, when the horseless carriage appeared, Wilcox sold his stable and started the first telephone company in Orange City. He and his family of wife and 3 daughters were cultured and refined people. Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox were charter members of the Ramblers.

In 1907, the family departed for Billings where they have lived since. There, Wilcox sold insurance and was a farm loan broker. His death was due to a heart ailment and burial was made in Montview cemetery. William F. Rieckhoff was named an honorary pall bearer.

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From the Billings Gazette, December 8, 1937:

LAST RITES HELD FOR CLARENCE L. WILCOX

Funeral service for Clarence L. Wilcox, 78, insurance man and farm loan broker who died at his home, 35 Grand avenue, Sunday, was held Tuesday afternoon at the First Congregational church, with the Rev. I. L. Cory officiating. The Rev. Mr. Cory was assisted by the Rev. Frank Durant. Mary Borden was organist. Burial was at Mountview cemetery, with Ashtar lodge No. 29, A.F. and A.M., in charge of committal services.

Active pallbearers, all past masters of the Masonic lodge of which Mr. Wilcox was a member, were Ben Cardwell, W. A. Combs, Charles J. Chapple, E. M. Sneckenberger, Lloyd Thompson and H. T. Hedden. Honorary pallbearers were Robert Leavens, Ethan B. Ryan, George M. Hays, Sr., G. A. Allen, F. J. Mashaw, A. L. Hewett and J. Henry Nibbe, all of Billings; C. F. Webster and G. G. Nichols of Girard, Pa.; Maj. B. B. Doggett of Buffalo, N.Y.; Judge O. N. Henton of West Wayne, Ind.; W. F. Reichoff of Orange City, Iowa; H. S. Hammond of Denver, Colo.; S. E. Weage of Coldwater, Mich.; P. P. Spurling of Minneapolis, Minn.; and C. E. Holden of Walsall, Mont.

Mr. Wilcox is survived by his widow; a daughter, Mrs. J. J. Heusinkveld, Jr. of Clinton, Iowa, and three grandchildren.

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RESEARCH NOTES

His death certificate has Clarence L. Wilcox; husband of Fenton Gilson Daggett Wilcox; born Sept. 12, 1859 in Brecksville, Ohio; father Henry Wilcox, born in Ohio, mother’s name not know to the informant, Mrs. C. L. Wilcox; occupation, insurance broker, for 30 years, last worked at this occupation in 1936; died at 2:15 p.m. December 5, 1937; cause, myocarditis chronic, arteriosclerosis, auricular fibrillation, onset of all 1930.

The 1900 U.S. census for Orange City has Clarence L. Wilcox (40), born Sept. 1859 in Ohio, parents born in Ohio, married 16 years, a liveryman; wife Estella M. Wilcox (35), born July 1864 in New York, mother of 3 children, 3 living; daughters Liter Ree (15), Fay (13), and Marguerite M. (9), all born in Iowa. His first wife Estella (Thurber) Wilcox died in 1909; see her obituary (posted separately).

The 1910 census for Billings has C. L. Wilcox (49), widowed, a real estate money lender; daughters Fay (23) and Marguerite (19), and widowed sister-in-law Esther Stone (60). The 1920 census for Billings has Clarence L. Wilcox (59), a loan and insurance agent; wife Fenton D. Wilcox (42), born in Pennsylvania; daughter Fay (33), a high school domestic science teacher. In 1930 he (69) and Fenton D. (52) are still in Billings, where his occupation is given as Proprietor, Farming; they have a lodger, Carl Berg (33), a railroad geologist.