Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-04-09
LAMSON DEAD
AGED RESIDENT OF FAIRFIELD
PASSES AWAY AT AD-
vANcED AGE.
Was Pioneer Land Dealer and Bust
ness Man-Founded the Fairfield
Public Library-oldest Resident Of
Jefferson County.

Fairfield, April Z. - Especially -
Ward Lamson died at his home in
this city yesterday. Some years ago
he experienced rather severe attack
of paralytic stroke and later a milder
one and in December last a third one,
that Frustrated him and he gradually
wasted away until the end came. He
died peaceably and the watchers hard
ly knew when to say at is finished"
Ward Lamson was a notable man.
He was born in Sterling, Mass, on
September Z, 1920, of pure New Eng
land ancestry He received an aca-
demic education after the manner Of
those days and in 1887 came west, ar
irving at Burlington, iowa, then the
capitol of Wisconsin territory, on De-
cember 6, 1887. The late William
Garrett used to say that he was the
first man to greet Ward Lamson in
Burlington, meeting him in the gray
dawn of day just. after he had landed
from boat and directing him to the
store of his brother, jeremiah Lamson.
He remained In Burlington until 1852,
and was an active man in business cir
cles and was on intimate business and
personal relations with Coolbaugh,
Thomas Hedge, Sr, A. Adams, Joseph
Bridgeman, E. D. Rand, Lyman Cook,
and others. He was an intimate friend
Of the late Senator John H. Gear, and
they at one time clerked together in
w. T. Coolbaugh's store.
Arrangements were once made be-
tween him and q. D. Rand to start in
the lumber business, but Mr.. Lamson
was prevented by ill health and Mr..
Rand founded the business alone.
It was while there, that Mr.. Lamson
was united in marriage to Miss Dill, at
the old Dill homestead, now the prop
erty Of G. E. Perkins.
Ward Lamson removed to Fairfield
in 1859, hoping to regain his health
and to be near the United States land
office then located in Fairfield, as he
was engaged in the real estate bust
ness. Later as his sons grew up, he
purchased an implement store and re-
tired from active service only few
years ago.
Founded Fairfield Library.
In 1853 no founded the first public
library In the state, this institution is
now the Free Public Library of Fair.
field and one Of the most priced and
flourishing in the west. In the build.
ing UP of this library he and the late
Senator James F. Wilson were close
ly and enthusiastically associated land
it remains as permanent and splen
did monument to them both.
He never held any public Offices, ex
cept road supervisor and school
treasurer He was always republi
can but never sought position or pow
er, but welded silent but great in
fluence for many years in the general
life Of the city and county and was
held in universal respect and honor.
He leaves to mourn his departure
his wife, Maria A. Lamson and eight
'children: Mrs. Ed Hunt, V. A. Lam
son, R. w. Lamson. Mrs. e. A. How
ard, Mrs. w. G. Ross, all of Fairfield
Mrs. G. G. Clark Of Burlington, Mrs
w. S. Slagle of Alton, Iowa, and A
w. Lamson Of Mesa, Arizona. There
are also twenty three grandchildren
and two greatgrandchildren.
At the time of his death, he was
resident in Iowa the greatest number
of years Of any citizen of Jefferson
county He survived all his early as
sociates in Burlington and all his
early friends in Fairfield, except the
Rev. DR.. Slater Of Burlington who will
conduct the funeral services of his
friend of more than sixty years.
The funeral will take place from the
old Lamson homestead in this city OF
Friday, April s, at 800 p. m.