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Hon. George W. Lathrop
A Worthy Citizen Gone. In the Passing of Hon. Geo. W. Lathrop, the Community Loses a Dear Friend |
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| The announcement of the death of Hon. Geo. W. Lathrop at his home early Tuesday morning, December 3d, 1907, came as a shock to all, even to those who realized that his was a fatal illness. The Wednesday before he had driven to his son's, five miles in the country, and caught a severe cold but would not yield to it. The next day, Thanksgiving day, he entered in the spirit of the family reunion which was held at his home with all his usual zest. All of the children and one grandchild from each family was present making an even dozen to gather about the table honored by the presence of the father. The next morning he insisted on going down the street but was unable to return without the assistance from an old neighbor, John Quirk, but even then he refused to be confined to his bed although a great sufferer through the following night. Tuesday morning about six o'clock, after resting well all night, he walked to the bathroom, but fell back in the arms of his son, Howard, just as he reached the door and passed away without even a moan and before the other members of his family could be summoned to his assistance.
From the special edition of The Mirror of March 1904, we quote the following facts given by himself: Mr. Lathrop was born in Fremont, Ohio, March 18th, 1836, and came overland to this state by ox team, crossing the river at Davenport when four years old and in the company of his parents and their family located near Toronto. Two or three years later they moved to Allen's Grove, Scott county. In 1853, he formed a partnership with his half-brother, A. Courtright, in a general merchandise business at Toronto. Three years later, the business was sold that the two, together with their father, might purchase the water power at Oxford Mills of Mallory Tyrrell, and erect the grist mill so well known all over this part of the state in early days.
Fifteen years later, the mill was sold to Mr. McDonald, and Mr. Lathrop again entered the mercantile business, at this time at Oxford Mills. Here his stirring energy and business ability soon made itself felt, for it was through his influence that the branch line from Davenport was turned from it's course already surveyed through Lost Nation and Smithtown to Oxford Mills and Oxford Junction, then unheard of. In this way Oxford Junction owes to him it's very existence.
He was a man of unusually genuine impulses, always on the outlook for really helpful acts to be rendered his fellow men, and among the first to discover and relieve grief where possible. He was the founder of the first merchant ile establishment, the first grist mill, the importer of some of the finest breeds of livestock in this part of the country, and the primal cause for this city. He was an ardent supporter of our public schools system and of his chosen political party, a man of the large circle of acquaintances of any in this section and a man whose loyalty to his town and state was never doubted. By his death, we are deprived of one whose place can never quite be filled by another and the community, as one, unite to express to his bereaved family their sympathy and consolation.
The funeral services will be conducted by Rev. Blanke, of Davenport, at the Lutheran church this afternoon, during which time all business houses will be closed.
Submitted by: Laura Comley |
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