The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-04-27
Joseph Lomax Purchased the
Richmond Free Press" in
1873 and Promoted Organi-
ZatiOn of G. r. & /.
OLDEST U. S MASON
II. ]. and A. Lomax Study,
Local Attorneys, Nephews
of Centenarian Journalist
and Railroader.

Joseph Lomax, aged 104 years, who
at one time was resident of Rich
mond, died last evening at his home
in Indianapolis, 1856 College avenue,
after short illness.
Mr.. Lomax was the oldest member
of the Masonic order in the United
States and one of the Oldest citizens
of Indiana.
He came to Richmond about 1876
and in 1876 purchased the now de-
funct Richmond Free Press. He sold
this paper in short time and a year
later, It was disposed of at consta-
ble'sgale.
VI Promoted G. r. e. l.
Mr. Lomax while a resident of Rich
mond, promoted the organization of
the Grand Rapids and Indiana Rail-
road company which is now a part Of
the Pennsylvania system. After the
formation of the company, in which
many Richmond men we're stockhold-
ers, Mr.. Lomax was elected it's first
president and he went to Grand Rap
ids
Thomas j. Study and Abel Lomax
Study, prominent Richmond attorneys,
are nephews of the centenarian jour-
nalist and railroad man, and Robert
Study, a we'll known Richmond attor-
ney, is a grand nephew. All of them
will attend the funeral at 1ndianapO-
lis tomorrow.
Mr.. Lomax had been in excellent
health until a few days ago. when he
was attacked by severe cold. I'm
til twelve years ago, when he retired,
he was in the employ of the Pennsyl-
vania system, which took over the
railway which he built.
Mr. Lomax was born in Stokes coun-
ty, North Carolina, December 10, 1909,
and came to Indiana with his parents
in 1916. When the long overland jour-
ney was started Indiana was terri
tory, but when the family arrived it
had been admitted to statehood.
After having organized the G. r. &
l. in 1845, Mr.. Lomax removed to
Michigan the better to administer the
affairs of the railroad company.
Joined Masons at Marion.
1t was while he was a resident of
Marion, Ind, that he became mem
Der of the Masonic order. He was I'M
able to remember the date of his inl-
tiation and the Marion lodge members
have not been able to find the records
of entry 1t is believed they were de-
stroyed by fire several years ago. The
Kalamazoo lodge in 1913 notified him
that he had been elected to life men,
bership He also bore the distinction
of being the oldest retired employe OF
the Pennsylvania system.
Despite the fact that he was born
in North Carolina, he never used to-
bacco He took a glass OF wine with
his dinner, but always was temperate
in all his habits. 1t was to this fact
that he ascribed his long life.
He is survived by four daughters,
Miss Mary Lomax, Mrs. Martha Nor
ton and Miss Augusta Lomax, all OF
2255 College avenue, and Miss Jessie
Lomax, of Guilford, Conn, and one
son, Joseph Lomax, of Chicago.
Since his retirement from active
railroad work he had resided with his
three daughters at the College avenue
address. In recent years his birthday
anniversaries were marked by tele-
grams of congratulation from railroad
men and Masons in all parts of the
country.
He spent his last years quietly, al
though he continued to show keen
interest in public affairs. His mental
faculties he retained until the last.
Until few days ago he was able to
go about the house with sprightll-
ness that would have done credit to
man a score years his junior.