Hepburn, James 1878 - 1949

HEPBURN, DALVEY, PETERSON, DONALDSON, WIESE, PHILLIPS

Posted By: Norman Hjelmeland (email)
Date: 2/22/2024 at 12:38:42

County Recorder James Hepburn, 66, died at his home Friday morning, May 20. Mrs. Hepburn, who was acting county recorder, found her husband dead in bed when she returned from the office at noon. He had died in his sleep.
Services were held today (Monday) at 2 p.m. at the Decorah Lutheran church, with Rev. M.A. Egge officiating. Burial was at Phelps cemetery.
Pallbearers were: George Ellickson, Victor Hoeg, William Mosby, Melvin Sattre, Charles Stoen, and Norman K. Lee. Honoray pallbearers were: Pete Usgaard, Gaylin Gilbertson, Donald Johnson, Gary Johnson, Tommy Nugent, Billy Cummings, Freddie Harvey, Gordon Berg, David Digre, Verdal Matter, Gary Pint and Ronald Wesby.
The flower committee was comprised of: Jannan Smock, Gail Christen, Darlene Christen, and Doris Tolstad.
James Hepburn was born October 18, 1881, at Glasgow, Scotland. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Hepburn. Hepburn received his education in schools of Scotland.
At the age of 13, Hepburn came to the United States, settling in New York, where he entered into apprenticeship in the tile setting business with his uncle.
Hepburn served in the Spanish-American war in Cuba and the Philippines. After the war, Hepburn returned to Chicago where he was employed as circulation manager for a newspaper.
He later entered the sales promotion business with T.K. Kelly Co., of Minneapolis.
He married the former Stella Dalvey of Decorah, at Chicago, March 6, 1923. The couple had no children.
Hepburn was elected county recorder in the elections of 1944, re-elected in 1946, and re-elected again last fall.
He was a member of the Elks lodge and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was one of the early commanders of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Hepburn was responsible for organizing the Decorah Junior Drum and Bugle corps, and devoted much of his time to that organization until ill health forced him to confine his activities.
He spent much of his time working with and in the interests of the youth of this community.
In 1941, Hepburn suffered his first attack, and has been in ill health since that time. His health had been failing for the last two years.
He is survived by his wife.
Attending the funeral from out of town were: Mr. and Mrs. Milton Dalvey of Marshalltown; Mr. and Mrs. P.N. Peterson of Rockford, Ill., Mrs. Scott Donaldson of Charles City; Mrs. Fred Wiese of Valley Springs, S.D.; and Mrs. P. Phillips, of Valley Springs, S.D.

Decorah Public Opinion, May 23rd, 1949

Note: Military Marker in Phelps Cemetery and death certificate gives dates, b. Oct 18 1878 d.May 20 1949

Phelps Cemetery
 

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