Obits: The Monroe News-Star, October 1909 , Ouachita Parish, La These older obituaries are being typed in by Ms. Lora Peppers at the Ouachita Parish Library. We are once again fortunate to have someone interested in helping us find our ancestors. Thank you Lora! Date: Dec. 1999 Submitted by: Lora Peppers ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** If your obituary is not found here and you would like a special look up, you may send $5.00 and an self-addressed stamped envelope to: Lora Peppers - Phone (318) 327-1490 Reference Department Fax (318) 327-1373 Ouachita Parish Public Library 1800 Stubbs Ave. Monroe, LA 71201 The News-Star Friday, October 1, 1909 Page 5, Column 3 Dr. M. M. Marcus Dead. Dr. M.M. Marcus, an aged citizen of our town, died at his home last Friday night, after about two weeks confinement to his bed. We do not know of any particular disease that took him off, but like an old wagon without grease, his life gradually but peacefully wore itself out. He spent more than four score years in the walks of life; he was a devout member of the Baptist church and his beautiful christian character spread a halo of light among those with whom he was associated. At all times, under all circumstances he walked in the well beaten path of righteousness and when fully conscious that he was nearing the last of earth, he appeared to be fully impressed with the idea that at the end of time eternity began and that the bright faith which sustained him many years would only grow brighter and brighter as he journeyed toward the infinite, and the final gloom of death be dispelled by the radiance of God's love. Could all live the just upright life Dr. Marcus lived, and die in his trusting faith, death could no longer be called "The King of Terrors" for he inspired no terror there. To the sorrowing wife who has so faithfully stood by him so long, sharing his grief and pains as well as the pleasures of this life, we offer our deepest sympathy, in this the darkest hour of her life. Junction City Democrat. The News-Star Saturday, October 2, 1909 Page 4, Column 2 JOHN M. LEE, JR., DEAD Former Well Known Citizen of Monroe Dies in New Orleans Mr. John M. Lee, Jr., for many years a resident of this city, died at his home in New Orleans this morning at 4 o'clock. He was in his fifty-ninth year. During his residence here, Mr. Lee was general land agent of the (?). S.& P. railroad, later accepting a similar position with the Southern Pacific Company, when he moved his residence to New Orleans. Mr. Lee was considered one of the best posted men on railroad matters in the State and his services were invaluable to the railroad companies he represented. Mr. Lee was a native of Union parish where he had many relatives and numbered his friends by his acquaintances, as was the case wherever he was known. He was a man of a genial disposition and spread sunshine wherever he went. Mr. Lee was a frequent visitor to Monroe up to the time of his confinement several months ago when he was forced to undergo an operation, and he always seemed to regard Monroe as his home. Mr. Lee is survived by his wife and three children, Mrs. H.R. Speed and Mrs. J. (?) Wooten of this city, and Mr. Burch Lee of Minden, Capt. Wood Lee, his older son, died during the Spanish-American War while in command of the Pelican Rifles of Baton Rouge. The funeral services will be held in this city at the residence of Mr. H.R. Speed at 3:30 o'clock tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon. The remains will arrive tomorrow morning from New Orleans accompanied by a Masonic escort. A committee from Western Star Lodge, of which he was a member, will meet the remains at Alexandria and escort them to Monroe. The funeral services will be conducted by Rev. J. (?) H. Wharton of the Baptist church of which Mr. Lee was a devout member. Following the church services the remains will be turned over to Western Star Lodge to be interred with Masonic honors. Stonewall Lodge Knights of Pythias will also attend the funeral in a body. The members of the Masonic and Knights of Pythias lodges are requested to meet at their respective lodge halls at 2:30 Sunday afternoon. The News-Star Monday, October 4, 1909 Page 2, Column 3 The Funeral of Mr. J.M. Lee, Jr. On yesterday morning the remains of Mr. J.M. Lee, Jr., of New Orleans, accompanied by the bereaved family and friends under a special Masonic escort from New Orleans, and one from Monroe who joined the party at Alexandria arrived in the city on a private car at 9:30 o'clock. At the depot, the remains were met by a large number of friends, and a committee from the Western Star Lodge No. 24 and escorted to the home of Mr. And Mrs. H.R. Speed, where the services were held on yesterday afternoon. At 3:30, the hour appointed for the funeral, the home of Mr. H.R. Speed was banked with floral offerings and filled to overflowing with friends of the deceased, not only from Monroe, but from Vicksburg, Farmerville and the nearby towns, where Mr. Lee was loved, honored and respected. Rev. J.U.H. Wharton, pastor of the Baptist church and intimate friend of Mr. Lee, conducted the services, during which was most feelingly and expressively sung the beautiful hymns, "Lead Kindly Light", and "Nearer My God to Thee". In his remarks over his cherished friend, Mr. Wharton referred to a long (NEWSPAPER IS TORN AT THIS POINT) -ing which time he knew him, as a public spirited gentleman, ever ready to promote the progress and upbuilding of the town or community in which he lived. As a devoted husband thoughtful and affectionate, as a father, kind, generous, and watchful, as a friend, true and sincere, as a Christian character, steady and firm, ready to answer the summons, which came as a gentle sleep, for the beating heart was softly touched by the finger of God and all was gently stilled. By a strange working of Providence, Mr. Wharton conducted the burial services over Mr. Lee's father and wrote the obituary, though to a different State, to the memory of his mother, and while stated Mr. Wharton, though this was a most trying occasion, if it was God's will, he was flad to be able to make this testimony, sacred to the memory of Mr. Lee. At the conclusion of Rev. Mr. Wharton's remarks, the Masonic order took charge, the services being conducted in part at the residence. The remains were carried through a beautiful passage way of flowers, tributes of love and friendship, by the Masonic pall bearers to the hearse. Messrs. F. P. Stubbs, D.A. Breard, G.M. Crook, R.B. Frizzel, G.P. Stubbs, J.W. Hyams of New Orleans, acting in that capacity. The honorary pall bearers were Messrs. W. Millsaps, J.T. Cole, Jno. E. Morris, R.M. McClendon, R.L. Rinehart, H.L. Gregg of West Monroe, Dr. W.L. Jones and Mr. R.P. Webb of Monroe, and Mr. St. Martin of New Orleans. The remains were followed to the Monroe Cemetery by a large concorse of friends and laid to rest with Masonic honors. Hon. Frederick Speed of Vicksburg, Past Grand Master of the State of Mississippi paid a fitting tribute to the memory of his friend and fraternal brother, Mr. Lee. () friends to accompany the () from New Orleans and to re() with them on the special this evening are: Mr. W. Moss, Past Grand Master of the State and member of Jefferson Lodge No. 191, Mr. Aaron Steeg, editor of the Square and Compass, Mr. Jos. Hyams, ex-speaker of the House of Representitives at Baton Rouge, Mr. St. Martin, sheriff of Jefferson parish, Messrs. Lynton Stubbs, J.M. Lee, Mrs. Hacket and Mrs. T.O. Lowry of New Orleans. Mr. Lee leaves a widow, two daughters, Madames J.R. Wooten and H.R. Speed of Monroe, and one son, Mr. W.B. Lee of Minden, to whom in their sas bereavement the News-Star offers sincerest sympathies. The News-Star Friday, October 22, 1909 Page 4, Column 4 Action of Stonewall Lodge No. 8, Concerning the Death of Broth- er John Martin Lee Brother John Martin Lee having answered the last summons and passed to the Grand Lodge on high, Stonewall Lodge No. 8, Knights of Pythias, does hereby place on record its great sorrow at his death and its feelings of sympathy and coompassion for the loved ones left to mourn. Brother Lee was born in Farmerville, Union parish, January 28, 1851, and died in New Orleans, October 2, 1909. His father was John M. Le, Sr., who was sheriff of Union parish for years. His mother was the daughter of Judge Taylor, the first district judge of Union Parish. He was educated in the public schools, such as they were in those days, but secured most of his education through his own personal efforts and determination. He was essentially a self-made man. He was a deputy sheriff of Union for a number of years, and after that served as tax assessor. Later he became a clerk in the State Senate, and this was his first taste of public life. After that he became the land agent of the Vicksburg, Shreveport & Pacific railroad and established his headquarters in Monroe. His last service was as general agent of the Southern Pacific and in this capacity he was known in the railroad world far and wide. Brother Lee was married in 1872 to Miss Vada Burch of West Point, Georgia, and she with one son, Burch, of Minden, and two daughters, Mrs. H.R. Speed and Mrs. J.E. Wooten, of Monroe, survive him. As showing the character of our brother, we quote the remark of a prominent railroad man who had been closely associated with him: "One of the great secrets of Mr. Lee's success was that he never lost his temper. I never saw John Lee angry. He never bore malice. He was forgiving. I have seen men abuse him, but the next time Mr. Lee met them he was just as if nothing had happened. His great heart and towering nature made them feel so little that they could never do enough for him. That is the way he won those who at times may have tried to be ugly. His nature would not let people fall out with him." We commend to the members of our order the splendid facts stated above nd urge them to seek the emulation of treaits so helpful. Resolved, That this action of the lodge be communicated to the family and that they be assured of our sincerest sympathy in their sorrow; that the proper engrossing be made in the records of the lodge; and that the usual publication be made. GEO. D. BOOTH, Chairman. J.L. KALISKI, ROBT. W. FAULK. Monroe News-Star Wednesday, October 27, 1909 Page 5, Column 2 OLD CITIZEN DIES. Mr. J. W. Mitchell of West Monroe Passes Awaya (sic) at Simboro. Mr. J.W. Mitchell, one of the oldest and most respected citizens of West Monroe, died in Simboro this morning where he has been visiting for some time. He was seventy-five years of age. Mr. Mitchell until a few months ago when feeble health forced him to retire, had been actively engaged in business in old Trenton and in West Monroe for a long term of years. In all his business career he had held the highest esteem of those who cam in contact with him. His character and reputation as a true Christian gentleman has never been questioned. The funeral services will be held tomorrow morning at the Presbyterian church immediately after the arrival of the 9:25 V.S.&P. train from the west. Interment will be in the Monroe cemetery. The News-Star Saturday, October 30, 1909 Page 4, Column 4 LOUIS KAPLAN DEAD Well Known Jewish Citizen Dies After Short Illness Mr. Louis Kaplan, one of Monroe's best known Jewish citizens, and for some years prominent in business circles, died at his home on North Fourth street at 10:30 o'clock last night after a short illness. Surrounded by his wife and friends the end came peacefully after bidding them good bye. Mr. Kaplan was in the prime of life being only thirty-eight years old at the time of his untimely death. His business prospects were the brightest. He was president and manager of the Ouachita Furniture Company, Limited, a comparatively new concern, but which under his management has been a big success. Mr. Kaplan also owned considerable property. It has been said of him that in proportion to his means he had done more to build up the town than any other man in it. Mr. Kaplan was born at Chernabele, Russia, where his mother now lives. His father died thirty years ago and his oldest brother died only about two months ago in Chicago. Mr. Kaplan is survived by his wife who was Miss Esther Kohn, three bright little children, Lizzie, Freddie and Sara Etta; his mother, two brothers, Mr. Sam Kaplan of this city and Mr. Max Kaplan of Baxtrop, and one sister, Mrs. Derriah Kusin. The funeral will take place Sunday morning at 10 o'clock at the residence of North Fourth street proceeding from there to the Jewish cemetery. The services will be conducted by Dr. Heinberg, Monroe Lodge No. 454 B.P.O. Elks of which Mr. Kaplan was a member, will attend the funeral in a body. The members are requested to meet at the lodge hall at 9 o'clock. The News-Star Saturday, October 30, 1909 Page 2, Column 3 Aged Widow of a Banker Dies Clasping Scrap of "Stars and Bars." With a smile on her lips and a remnant of an old Confederate flag clasped to her breast, Mrs. Anna Ertel, the penniless widow of a New Orleans banker died alone and unattended at 3 o'clock yesterday morning in a ward of the county hospital. It was her 79th birthday anniversary, and when the nurses went to dress her for a little party they had arranged in her honor they found her dead. Mrs. Ertel three years ago became an inmate of the county institution. Little by little the attendants there who became her friends gained from her lips fragments of the story of her life. She was a niece of General Putnam, a leader in the Confederate army, and was born in Mississippi. Her wealth and beauty made her a great belle. Her marriage shortly after her debut in New Orleans to Banker Ertel of that city was one of the social affairs in the decade preceding the Civil War. Her husband died shortly after the close of the Civil War, leaving her without means, his fortune having been wasted away during the conflict. After her relatives passed away, leaving her no means of support, Mrs. Ertel came to Los Angeles and supported herself several years as a seamstress and cook. When her age made it impossible for her to continue at these labors she was compelled to become the ward of the county. Unless friends or acquaintances or those who knew her family make themselves known, the body will be interred in the potters' field. - Los Angeles Examiner. # # #