Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1909-01-14
Obituary.

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three years, at his home at Forks
vile, removed from our midst one
who, for more than a generation,
has been numbered among our lead
ing business men and most respect
ed citizens. In his death, the com
munity in which he had lived foi
almost half Il century, as well as
the county at large, sustained an
irreparable loss.
Mr.. Lancaster came to this county
when about Is, locating at Forks
vile and engaging in the mercantile
business. For over thirty years he
conducted general store and did a
large and prosperous business.
About ten years ago he retired from
the general retail business and pur-
chased the Forksville Pharmacy,
conducting this business up to the
time of his death. His long busi-
ness career brought him in contact
with thousands of people and in all
the business relations of life he was
trustworthy and honorable.
From the time Mr.. Lancaster
became resident of the county, he
has been closely identified with its
business interests and public affairs.
He has continually been cal!. d upon
to fill positions of tru7 and Gas held
every post of he r within the gift
of the people of his home town. For
many years he has been recognized
as one of the Countp's most efficient
and he was still in COM
at the time of his death.
Perhaps the Office in which he has
been most useful to the community
however, is that Of Secretary of the
local school board. In this position
he served his school district and the
.ause of education withco nSpicuous
tbility and fidelity for almost
quarter Of century and his records
ire models both of form and
accuracy. For many years he has
leen secretary of the Home Fire In
urance Company and no more faith
I'll, efficient officer could have been
iOund.
Mr.. Lancaster was man of great
mercy and industry He was al
Ways engaged in doing something
lseful. After business hours the
books and magazines
'laimed his attention and there were
ew men whose reading cover
'd a wider range than his. His tastes
we're decidedly literary and he was
at home in the great field of
,lasSic literature. His opinions Oh
looks, authors and literary matters
n general were original and valu
,ble.
AS illustrating Mr.. Lancaster's
and keen student power,
remarkable achievement Of his
Did age may be sighted us an inspir-
alton to the younger generation. AT
the time he purchased the drug store
ne knew nothing about compound
ng prescriptions and had never
studied pharmacy. But after spend
ng some time in the business, he
determined to master all its details.
He took up the systematic study of
pharmacy and after completing the
course prescribed by the laws of
went before the state
examining board and although a
A man seventy-five years of age, in
a class composed of young men in
the twenties, he.easily eclipsed them
all and passed at the head of the
class.
Mr.. Lancaster is a man of broad
NItWo anu NdilG't d
kindly, refined, educated gentleman
of the old school whom to know init
was ever a pleasure, IA profit
and an inspiration, His keen quick
wit, always coupled with kindly
humor, made him bright and
cOnverSationalist and a
CHEEKY, agreeable companion. He
will be greatly missed and his splace
in the community will be hard to
fill. Mr.. Lancaster never acquired
great possessions so far as this
worlds goods are concerned, but he
has left to his children and to all
whose good fortune it was to know
\ a.