Loren Polmateer (1867-1942)

IHLAN, MATHESON, POLMATEER

Posted By: Eileen Reed
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:07:03

Funeral services were held at the Methodist church at Sibley Tuesday for Loren Polmateer, 75, who died Saturday afternoon, Rev. L. D. Havighurst officiated. Burial was at Pipestone, Minn., where he was laid to rest with Masonic honors by his brethren of Quarry Lodge, A. F. & A. M.

Mr. Polmateer underwent an operation 4 years ago, shortly after retiring from the Rock Island Railroad after 48 years of service. He has had to lead a quiet life since. During the past winter his health had been failing, suffering a stroke on February 9.

Loren Polmateer was born at Renwick, Iowa, on October 24, 1867 and passed away Saturday afternoon, February 14, 1942 at his home in Sibley. He was the oldest son of William and Sarah Polmateer and is survived by two brothers, C. A. Polmateer and Ira Polmateer and one sister, Mrs. Nell Matthson [Matheson] of Goldfield, Iowa.

After graduating from the high school of Goldfield, Mr. Polmateer began his long career of service as railroad worker. His first employer in his railroad career was the old Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railroad which later became a part of the Rock Island lines. After 48 years of loyal service as a railroader and though still eager to keep up the work, he retired at the age of seventy.

On October 24, 1897 he was united in marriage to Miss Emma C. Ihlan at Trosky, Minn., and to this happy union were born two sons, Ervin W. Polmateer of Sibley and Clifford who preceded his father in death several years ago.

Mr. Polmateer will be remembered by his friends in the towns where he served through the years as a railroad man, having lived in Trosky, Minn., Armstrong, Spirit Lake, Estherville, Laverne and Pipestone, Minn.

The Sibley Gazette-Tribune
Sibley, Iowa
Thursday, February 19, 1942
Page 1, Column 2
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Pipestone, Minn., Feb. 19. Burial of the late L. Polmateer, whose death occurred at Sibley, la., a few days ago, occurred at the Woodlawn cemetery here Tuesday afternoon. The Masons of Pipestone were in charge. Mr. Polmateer was agent for the Rock Island railway here for several years before going to Sibley to hold a similar position. During the first World war Mr. Polmateer served as Joint agent for the Omaha and Rock Island roads.

The Angus-Leader
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Thursday, February 19, 1942
Page 2, Column 8