Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-10-17
DEATH OF ROBERT LYON.
A Well Known Pioneer in Grand Rapids Called
Home

Thursday evening last at about $50
o'clock. after a protracted illness. the
last few weeks of which he was a
helpless sufferer. Robert W. Lyon. one
of the earliest settlers in Grand
Rapids and a pioneer in the state,
passed quietly away at his home en-
the corner of Sycamore and Bridge
street, heart failure being the final
cause of his death. He has been
identified with the growth of this
city since it was mere numbering
village as a river pilot, hotel man,
merchant and blacksmith. Many of
the older settlers especially will hear
with deep regret Of the passing of
this sturdy character. The funeral
at the NJ. E. church, Rev. Peterson,
the pastor, returning from conference
at RipOn to conduct it. Despite the
steady downpour of rain many old
time friends and neighOOrS were
present TO show their esteem for the
deceased.
Among the relatives present from
abroad were Mr.. and Mrs. Walter
Lyon of ElrOy, Mr.. and Mrs. John t.
Aber of Stevens Point, MIR. and Mrs.
l.. vi IIOtCi dilu vi illu MI D
Merriam of Buena Vista.
Robert W. Lyon, one of the most
prominent pioneer settlers of Grand
Rapids, was born in Syracuse, n. Y,
August 20, 1881, and is son of Rufus
and Maria Martini Lyon, both natives
of the Empire State. The father was
farmer by occupation. and removed
from Syracuse, n. Y, to Racine
county, Wis, in 1S43. In this state he
also engaged in agricultural pursuits,
following same up to the time of his
death, which occurred in 1858 of
cholera
Robert w. Lyon came with his
parents to Racine county. Wis, when
twelve years of age, and received a
limited education in the common
schools of that county. After leaving
school he went to Milwaukee, where
he learned the trade of horse ShOeing,
remaining there for about three years,
when he went to Sauk county, this
state, and started in business for him
self. After a residence in that county
of about two years, he removed to
Grand Rapids, arriving here in 1858,
and he has since made this place his
home, being engaged in active buSi-
Hess. III NulCiI DG ulcU WILL ouCCcSS.
For twenty years ne acted as a river
pilot in the numbering business during
the summer season on the Wisconsin
river, while the winter months were
spent in working at his trade.
On December IA, 1860, in Milwaukee.
Wis, Mr.. Lyon was united in marriage
with Miss Eunice Jennings, daughter
of Isaac and Harriet Jennings, the
father prominent physician of
Milwaukee. To our subject and his
eStimable wife have been born three
children, viz, Walter W., who is now
residing at Elroy, Wis; Dora B., wife
of Franklin Goodman OF Hutchinson.
Mimi: Florence, wife of Edward
Carver of Everett, Wash. His first
wife died in 1870, and on June u, 1872,
he married Dellah Aber of the town
of Grant, Portage county, who
survives him. They had two children
Ida May, who died in infancy, and
Robert William. now with the Four
| teenth Z. S. Inft., stationed at Fort
Niagara, n. Y. Mr.. Lyon was a life
long republican and served four years
AS under-sheriff of Wood county, with
credit to himself and to the satiSfac-
tion Of the people.