John Shearer PAINE

PAINE, BEAN, WILLIAMSON, PRICE, FILKINS, BENNETT

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:56

John Shearer Paine
29 June 1865 ---- 9 October 1945

John S. Paine died at his home in Eagle Grove Tuesday evening at 8:15 o'clock. He has been confined to his bed for the past three weeks, having suffered a stroke on the evening of Sept. 15. The children were sent for at the time as it was realized that his condition was serious. Practically no hope was held out for his recovery at any time during his last illness.

Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Methodist church with the Rev. C. W. Tompkins in charge. Interment will be in Rose Hill cemetery.

John Shearer Paine, the youngest son of five children born to the union of Nathanial B. Paine and Amanda S. Paine, was born June 29, 1865 in a log cabin on the Paine homestead, about three miles northwest of Eagle Grove. His early life was spent herding cattle in the summertime and attending school in the fall and winter. Later he was a teacher in the rural schools of the county, in and around Eagle Grove.

Mr. Paine moved to Eagle Grove in 1893 and formed a partnership with S. H. Williamson. They purchased a grocery business from a Mr. Price. Mr. Paine's participation in the grocery business was of short duration and within a year he traded his share in the business to his partner, Mr. Williamson, for a tract of land on the shores of Lake Cornelia, now known as the Tice farm.

Mr. Paine soon entered the real estate and abstract business buying a set of abstract and record books from the late Dan and Fanny Filkins. He was soon joined by his former partner, S. H. Williamson, and the business was greatly expanded, including home and business block building and insurance. They initiated one of the largest private building projects ever started in the city.

During these early years in the city, before his marriage, Mr. Paine occupied bachelor quarters with several other young men who were also destined to become influential in building the city of Eagle Grove. In this group were his partner, S. H. Williamson, Frank Young, George Innes, and James Innes. These two latter individuals built the first electric power plant in the city. Their bachelor quarters were on the upper floor of what was then the Fitzmaurice bank building, the building on the site now occupied by the Diamond store.

The three-story Paine block building now owned by L. E. Beer was started in 1894 and finished in 1895. Assisting in the building of the Paine block was this brother, the late D. D. Paine, who later sold his interest to W. A. Paine, another brother. Upon the completion of the Paine block building, the firm of Paine & Williamson occupied the corner second story front office suite, and in 1896, the late Atty Sylvester Flynn opened a law office in the upper front office suite in the west part of the building.

Mr. Paine and his partner, S. H. Williamson were often referred to as "Jonathan and David" because of their close relationship and friendship. They carried on a very extensive real estate, abstract business and widespread building operations, and the firm was well-known over-all Iowa, and they carried on transactions in North Dakota, Texas, Minnesota, and Montana. This company for years represented the S. B. Hewett interests and supervised the final disposal of the assets of the Hewett estate. Mr. Hewett was instrumental in launching the city of Eagle Grove the west side of town being built on a Hewett owned farm. In 1913 Mr. Paine organized and opened the Northwest addition to Eagle Grove and built and sold many residences there.

The firm of Paine & Williamson was dissolved by mutual consent in 1921. Mr. Williamson acquired the west side building in the Paine block which he sold to the Masonic Lodge some five years later. In 1927 Mr. Paine formed a partnership with his son, Edwin, and they engaged in the real estate and insurance business. Mr. Paine was active in the promotion and conduct of this business until the time he was stricken with his fatal illness, just three weeks ago.

Mr. Paine was united in marriage on December 19, 1894 with Hattie I. Bean at Eagle Grove, Iowa. There were born to this union four children, John Howard, Charles Robert, Edwin Hewett, and Helen Paine Bennett. Shortly after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Paine started laying plans for their permanent home. This they erected during the year 1895 and have continuously resided there until the time of his passing. Much can be said for the fine sterling character of Mr. Paine, who in the true sense was a pioneer and having generously contributed of his time, money, and talent to the upbuilding of the church, the city, and community. His mark in the home of his choosing will be left for many years, and the example set by his labors will not soon be forgotten. It may be said that Mr. Paine was and stood for all that was good and beneficial in the community where he spent the whole of his life.

Mr. Paine was a member of the Methodist church, Bower Lodge 464 AF & AM, Eagle Grove Chapter No. 123, Medina Council No. 26, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Woodmen of the World and Modern Woodman. He also was a director of the Farmer's Mutual Fire Insurance company of Wright county, having helped in the organization of the company. He is past president of our original Eagle Grove Businessmen's Association.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Hattie I. Paine, his four children, many relatives, and a host of friends.

EAGLE GROVE EAGLE ---- Eagle Grove, Iowa
Thursday, October 11, 1945

Source ---- Paul Wilde