Stuart Elmer LATIMER, 1873-1931

LATIMER

Posted By: Volunteer-Betty Hootman
Date: 9/11/2012 at 12:13:46

PROMINENT LOCAL BUSINESS MAN
IS PNEUMONIA VICTIM
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Stuart E. Latimer Dies Suddenly Last Tuesday
Following Brief Illness

Stuart Elmer Latimer, prominent Bloomfield merchant and who with his brother operated a number of retail department stores throughout Iowa and northern Missouri, died at his home on North Washington street in this city last Tuesday about 6:30 p.m., after an illness of only a short duration, Mr. Latimer’s death came as a distinct shock to his large number of friends and associates, many of whom did not even know of his illness. A severe attack of double pneumonia was given as the cause of the untimely death. He was 57 years of at the time of his decease.

Mr. Latimer had not enjoyed good health since he suffered an attack of blood poisoning about a year ago. It was thought that the attack at that time might prove fatal; however, he recovered and although he had not been in the best of health since, there was no thought that death would come suddenly. Mr. Latimer mentioned to members of his family that he was bothered with a sore throat last Sunday, but he thought nothing of it and continued to do some work about the house. Sunday night his condition grew worse, and Monday morning he made a trip down town to visit his physician. After an examination the doctor advised that he should return home and go to be immediately as he showed sytoms[sic] of pneumonia. There was little anxiety about his condition until Tuesday morning however, when he became seriously ill with pneumonia, and gradually grew worse until the end came that evening.

Everything possible was done by physicians and nurses to save his life, but due to his weakened condition which had resulted from poor health during the past year, it was impossible for him to fight off the ravages of the pneumonia attack. Death came quietly with members of his family at his bedside.

Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at three o’clock in the Methodist Episcopal church of this city, of which Mr. Latimer was a member. The Rev. J. W. Poole delivered the funeral address, before a large number of friends and admirers who crowded the church to pay respect to one of Bloomfield’s leading citizens. Interment was made in Creston Friday, beside the grave of his late wife who preceded him in death on January 5, 1926. Brief services were conducted at the grave.

Mr. Latimer was born in Whiteside county, Illinois, on September 16, 1873. He came to Bloomfield 27 years ago and with his brother Nicholas Latimer of Ottumwa, opened the local department store. He has been most prominent in business and civic circles for several years. At the time of his death he was president of the Retail Merchants Association of Bloomfield, having been selected to head the group last October. Mr. Latimer and his brother founded the chain of Latimer Brothers Department Stores, that at one time operated around 30 retail stores in various cities throughout Iowa and Missouri. At present there are five stores in the chain besides a wholesale house in Ottumwa. The Bloomfield store has always been under the direct management of Mr. Latimer, while his brother acted as general manager of the chain.

Besides his brother and business associate, Mr. Latimer is survived by one daughter Donna, with whom he made his home; one son, Earl, who has been connected with his father in the management of the local store; two grandchild, Lula Mae and Earla Jean, all of this city; and his mother, Mrs. Mary Latimer, a brother, Will, and a sister, Pearl, all of Denver, Colorado.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the local lodge assisted the funeral service.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book A, page 459, Keosauqua Public Library; Keosauqua, IA