Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-08-17
CLAUDE NJ. MYERS DIES SUDDEN.
LY AT HOME FROM VALVU-
LAR HEART TROUBLE.
HAD ACTIVE LIFE
Took Prominent Part in Civic Affairs;
Leader In Political, Commercial
and Fraternal Organizations
Of City.

tain Sign at Claude Myers did not
flash its many colored lights out over
the street and building. Inside. which
for lust as many nights has been
scene of light, gaiety and laughter as
friends met to chat over the days oc-
currences, all was quiet and dark and
lonely. Up in the big house on the
hill Claude Myers lay dead. The
leader of the groups, the center OF the
mirthful exchanges, the friend OF them
oil had gone away.
He had not felt we'll during the day
and finally gave up the plan to come
TO the store unless it would be Tor
the evening when he was always to
be found there. But in the latter part
OF the afternoon valvular heart
trouble in it's unceremonious way,
took him. Apparently resting in his
bed he was found dead by member
Of his household who had gone in to
zee to his wants. b
Was Widely Known.
In the death of Claude Myers OF
tumwa lost one Of its most widely
known business men and citizens. He
had long and actively been identified
with business and public interests OF
this city.
A native of Wapello county he had
{ always made this vicinity his resi-
dence for the f1fty-one years of his
/ life. He was born in Agency on April
%. 1865. the son of Christopher and
Martha Ellen Myers. The father took
up his abode among the early settlers
Of this county in the earliest settle
ment days Of 1S43.
After his schooling in the common
branches Claude Myers finished the
high school course at Agency and
then went into the confectionery store
Of his father at the latter place. He
stayed there until 1882 when he came
TO Ottumwa and spent seven years
IN the service Of John J. Bowles,
whose establishment he purchased on
The expiration of that lperiod.
Built Up Business.
He continued the business along re.
hail lines and also began the manu-
Itacture of ice cream on wholesale
scale. Since that time he built up an
extensive business, dealing in ice
cream. candies, tobacco and cigars.
Mr.. Myers was a charter member and
! director in the Association Of Ice
Cream Manufacturers and served as
treasurer for one year after it's in
ception Subsequently he became an
organizer and director of the Ice
Cream Manufacturers of Iowa, OF
which association he served as pres1-
dent for two terms and of which he
was member of the board of direc.
tors when he died.
Active Public Worker.
Claude Myers had long been prom
inent factor in the public life Of Of
tumwa. He served as alderman for
the city during a period of five years
and was a member Of the library
board when the present building was
erected, continuing as such for sever
al years. He likewise acted as chair
man Of the board of police and fire
commissioners until Ottumwa adopt
ed the commission form of govern
ment. Mr.. Myers latest special &C.
tivity in the public work has been as
chairman Of the committee which has
had charge of rebuilding and refur.
nishing the Ottumwa Commercial
club. He has taken special interest
IN this work during the past few
weeks and was in the midst of it with
the prospect of seeing it's successful
finish when he died.
Prominent Politician.
Mr.. Myers was a democrat in poll
tics and an active worker in the local
ranks of the party. He was dele
gate to the national convention at
Denver in 1908, acting as secretary Of
the state delegation. He had always
been active in conducting special
trains to both political and fraternal
conventions and it was through his
efforts that special train went from
Ottumwa to Los Angeles at the time
OF the Elks' convention there several
years ago. In August, 1913, he con-
Quoted train to Denver for the
Knights Templar and secured a band
Of forty pieces. Of late years, while
not taking such an active part in the
political affairs Of the city. county and
state, yet he has been interested and
one Of his last trips out Of town was
to the democratic convention in Des
Moines last month.
Busy in Lodges.
Claude Myers had always been &C
tive in lodge work, too, and was a
prominent representative of the Ma
sonic fraternity. He had attained the
thirty-second degree of the Scottish
rite in this order and was always at
the head of some Of the prominent
committees when a Shriner meeting
was held here. He had always been
very prominent in the work of the
local order of B. P. O. Elks, No. BAT,
and beside these was a member of
the Royal Arcanum. the Yeomen, the
Maccabees and the Moose. The Coun-
try and Boat clubs likewise numbered
him among their members.
Parents Survive Him.
On June S, 1912. Mr.. Myers was
united in marriage to Miss Kilt Jor-
dan and she, together with his aged
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Christopher
Myers, survive him. Other members
Of the immediate family are two sis
tiers, Florence E.. Myers and Mrs
Charles H. Sage of Omaha. ru
Funeral Wednesday.
A The funeral services will be held at
70 o'clock Wednesday morning from