William Lockridge (1832-1903)

LOCKRIDGE, LETSON, WARRICK WORSLEY, DRYBREAD, ARMSTRONG, WILL

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 11/26/2011 at 21:02:02

From Story County Watchman July 24, 1903

Wm. Lockridge Dead.

Wednesday at 12:30 or close to that our fellow townsman Wm. Lockridge passed over th river to that shore from which none of us ever return and in such a sudden manner that it has been a shock to the entire community. Mr. Lockridge had arranged with Mr. McLain to go fishing in the afternoon and when he went home at noon for dinner told the girl at home he was going out to get worms for fishing as he was going out to that purpose. He remained out some time and when Mr. McLain arrived he had not yet returned and was directed to the barn to find him, where Mr. Lockridge was found having turned over a few forks full of earth and then fallen to the ground. When found at 12:30 assistance was summoned at once but the vital spark had fled from some trouble of the heart, just what only an autopsy could state. Mrs. Lockridge was at Kansas City, Missouri in attendance upon her daughter, Mrs. Warrick, who had been seriously ill, while the other daughters were at their various homes, Mesdames Worsley, Drybread and Armstrong of Nevada and Mrs. Will of Salina, Kansas.

Mr. Lockridge was born in Augusta county, Virginia, June 23, 1832. he came to Nevada in May, 1856, and has since made it his home. In 1856 he was appointed to assist in the office of the county treasurer and recorder and was appointed to fill the vacancy made by the resignation of that official, and then was elected to the position. He has held the positions of mayor of the city, councilman and other positions.

In more recent years he has been president of the First National Bank, as well as other local positions. Various business enterprises acknowledge his care at one time or another. He was married in January 1860, to Miss Lydia A. Letson, who survives him. To them were born eight children of whom Elfa, Jennie, Etta, Lovie, Annie and Fay survive him. Mrs. Lockridge was at Kansas City at the bedside of her sick daughter and has been notified of the death.

His death will be one that will not be lightly passed over since he has so long been one of its most prominent members and one of the main stays of many things hereabouts. Personally he was genial and hearty and stood high in the community, while socially he was a member of the Masonic, I. O. O. F., and A. O. U. W. orders.

The funeral will take place at the residence at 2 p. m. Saturday.

From Story County Watchman July 31, 1903

The funeral of Wm. Lockridge came off Saturday as was announced in thse columns last week at the residence and was attended by one of the largest crowds which has attended such an event for many years. The sermon was a fine one for the occasion and was listened to attentively by those who were there. Parties came here from all portions of the county to pay their last respects to one of the oldest settlers of the county as well as business man of the city, and all expressed themselves as to the life of the departed, and in such a way that there was no discount upon their true feelings. In fact all were sincere mourners at the bier of one of the leading citizens of the county and state as well. Rev. Dudley of the Methodist church had charge.