James Hamlin STERLING

STERLING, MAAG, PEARSON, HOWARD, RYAN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 6/2/2014 at 14:07:41

February 10, 1863 --- December 3, 1941

STERLING DIES AT EAGLE GROVE
Funeral Services of Retired Conductor of C. and N. W. on Friday

EAGLE GROVE — James H. Sterling, 78, retired Chicago and North Western conductor, died at his residence Wednesday following a stroke of paralysis. Funeral services will be held Friday at the Kubitschek and Kastler funeral parlors. Burial in Rose Hill cemetery will be with a Masonic ceremony. He is survived by three sons, Leo at Canon City; Dr. Robert, at Detroit, Mich., and Harold, at Eagle Grove; by one brother, Joseph, San Bernardino, Cal., and by three sisters, Mrs. Frank Maag, Los Angeles, Cal.; Mrs. Lula Pearson, Sioux Falls, S. Dak., and Mrs. Grace Howard, in California. He was a 32nd degree Mason, and had held many prominent Masonic offices.

Mason City Globe Gazette - Iowa
December 4, 1941

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James H. Sterling died at his home on North Commercial avenue, Wednesday at 1 p.m. He was in apparent good health until about 10 days ago and was confined to his room less than a week. Just a general breakdown caused his death and thus the career of one of Eagle Grove's oldest and most respected citizens comes to an end.

Mr. Sterling entered the service of the Northwestern Railroad on July 3rd, 1881. He remained in continuous service until he reached the retirement age of 70 in 1933. He was promoted to freight conductor March 3, 1882, and to passenger conductor Sept. 20, 1891. He continued to make his home in Eagle Grove after he was automatically placed on the pension list on reaching the age of 70 in 1933. He was born in Whitewater, Wis., Feb. 10, 1863. He was educated in the Webster City schools. On May 24, 1886 he was united in marriage with Margaret Ryan at Webster City. Three children survive this union, James Leo of Canon City, Colo., Dr. Robert of Detroit, Mich., and Harold B. of Eagle Grove. One daughter, Blanche, preceded her parents in death at the age of 1 ½ years.

Mr. Sterling had three main interests in life, his home, his position with the Northwestern, and the masonic lodge. He received nearly every honor within the power of the Iowa Masonic lodges to confer. He was grand high priest of the Royal Arch Mason and was the Illustrious Master of the Iowa Council Masons. He was chairman of the board of custodians of the Royal Arch Chapter Masons of Iowa at the time of his death. He was a member of the Za-Ga-Zig shrine, Des Moines, and was also a 32nd degree mason. He was present at every annual convocation of the Grand Chapter of Iowa, royal Arch Masons since 1911 and has been in attendance at every annual assembly of the Council of Royal and Select Masters.

In 1937, Mr. Sterling was presented with a jewel at a ceremonial in recognition of his service as president of the Holy Order of High Priesthood. Masons from all over Iowa were present at the presentation and a picture of Mr. Sterling was unveiled at that time.

Mr. and Mrs. Sterling were closely identified with the early growth and development of the educational and social life in Eagle Grove. For 27 years he was president of the Order of Railway Conductors and retained his membership more than 50 years. He gave much of his time to the development of that organization, just as in later years he gave unstinted effort and energy to the masonic orders to which he belonged. Masonic lodge work in the state and locally will never be the same now that "Jim" is gone. He was one of the leaders in remodeling the Masonic Temple building and in the acquiring of additional room for lodge purposes. In actual lodge work he was most proficient, in fact without a peer. No, Jim, we will never replace you, but we are most grateful for your inspiring influence on down through the years.

Funeral services will be held at the Kubitschek & Kastler Funeral Home, tomorrow, Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Interment will be in Rose Hill cemetery. The Masons and the Rev. J. R. Tumbleson will be in charge.

EAGLE GROVE EAGLE --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
Thursday, December 4, 1941