The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1918-06-06
RALPH J. PIPER
CLAIMED BY DEATH
Prominent MinOt Lumberman Passed
Away This Evening at Lake
Crystal, Mimi, After Short
Illness.

Ralph J. Piper, president and gen.
eral manager of the Piper-Howe Lum-
Der Co., passed away this evening at
the home of his father-in-law, DR..
John Williams at Lake Crystal, Mimi,
after comparatively short illness. A
telegram was received this evening by
his brother, Lee Piper, who together
with DR.. Archie D. MCDANIEL, left on
the night train over the 500 to at
tend the funeral.
Rev. P. w. Erickson also accom-
panied Mr.. Piper and DR.. MCDANIEL.
The funeral will be held at Lake
Crystal, Mimi, and will be conducted
by the Knights Templar. 1t is ex-
pected that interment will be made
in that city.
The news of the death of Mr.. Piper
came as great shock to the people
of Minot, for while it was realized
that his illness was serious, he was
thot to be improving. This afternoon,
however, his brother received tele-
gram that Ralph was growing weak
er. Mr.. Piper had not been feeling
we'll for some time but he proceeded
with his many duties uncomplainingly.
However, three weeks ago yesterday,
he left for Lake Crystal, hoping that
a good rest would prove beneficial to
him. He had been troubled with
ulcers of the stomach for some time
and his condition for some time had
been unsatisfactory. Mrs. Piper and
children were called to his bedside a
week or two ago and his father and
mother, Mr.. and Mrs. C. W. Piper,
who reside in this city, were called to
Lake Crystal several days ago.
Ralph J. Piper was born at Mankato
Mimi, and he would have been thirty
four years of age in November. Dur
ing his early life, he lived with his
parents at Duluth and Minneapolis.
He graduated from the law depart
ment of the University of Mime
sofa and for some time was employed
in the general offices of the 500 Rail-
way Co.
In 1906, when he was but twenty
one years of age, he opened small
lumber yard at Killarney, Man. He
showed a great aptitude for business
from the start and in 1907 opened a
lumber yard at Bottineau, n. D., In
the spring Of 1911, the Pipe-Howe
Lumber Co. bought the interests of
the Stoltz Lumber Co., in Minot and
surrounding territory and from time
to time acquired or organized other
yards. Mr.. Piper was instrumental
in building up one Of the largest
lumber concerns in the west, at the
present time consisting of SIS yards,
with a capitalization of $5OO,0OO.OO:
Mr.. Piper was a square, capable
business man, and man who had
the faculty of surrounding himself
with capable managers. He had
keen insight into human nature. He
was of a quiet, retiring disposition, a
man who did not make much fuss, but
was an interchangeable worker. He had
great executive ability and while his
interests were varied and numerous.
he handled his work with the greatest
care.
He became president of the Piper.
Howe Lumber Co. upon the death OF
his uncle, G. F. Piper, which occurred
early last winter in Minneapolis.
Mr.. Piper was a member OF the
board of directors Of the Minot AS
ISOLATION of Commerce. He was a
member of the Rotary Club, trustee of
the Minot Builders and Traders Elk
change and was one Of the directors
of the Minot Skating and Curling AS
ISOLATION.
He was secretary of the Ward Coun-
ty Red Cross chapter, and no man in
the county had worked harder in this
patriotic noble cause. He was a
member of the Presbyterian church of
Minot and was one of the Trustees
and Elders Of that institution.
He was member of the Star in the
West Lodge, No. 80, A. F. and A. M;
the Tyrian Chapter, R. A. M, De
Molay Commandery, No. 10, Knights
Templar and of the KEN Temple. He
was member also Of the Minot
Lodge No. 1889, B. P. 0. Elks.
Mr.. Piper was united in marriage
in 1910 to Miss Edna Williams,
daughter of DR.. and Mrs. John Will
liams of Lake Crystal, Mimi, and
to this union two sons were born,
Lawrence aged and Dean, aged 5.
He is survived besides his wife and
sons, by his parents, Mr.. and Mrs.
C. W. Piper and by his brother, Lee,
who have the sincerest sympathy OF
everyone.