Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Webber, Samuel W., Jr. 1913 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Sandy Heintzelman sheintz@iserv.net July 11, 2011, 11:00 am Lyons Herald, 17 Jul 1913 Samuel W. Webber passed away at his home in the village Friday, July 11, at 11:00 o’clock, aged 45 years, 3 months and 23 days. Deceased had been ailing for the past year, but managed to give his attention to his large business interests until about five weeks ago, since which time he was confined to the house. Specialists were consulted at the various medical centers, but he did not receive any help, gradually failing to the end. Although knowing that his condition was serious, his death was a surprise, coming while the nurse was out of the room for a moment. The cause of death is given as Bright’s disease. Mr. Webber was born in Lyons March 18, 1868, being the only son of Marina and Samuel W. Webber. He obtained his early education in the Lyons schools and was later employed by his father. On March 20, 1889, he was united in marriage to Miss Florence Hillman. To them were born two daughters, Marion and Louise, who with the widow and a half brother, Wm. A. Webber, survive him. His father, Samuel W. Webber, sr., who died April 19, 1902, at the age of 78 years, was one of the most successful financiers and private bankers in Michigan, having an interest in a number of banks throughout the state. The parent bank of the chain was established in Muir in 1868, where the son secured his first knowledge of banking. In 1894 the father and son entered a partnership known as S.W. Webber & Co., and built the west half of the building now occupied by G.H. MacGillivray, which they occupied as a banking house for the next eight years. 1902 seen the company start the present stone-front brick building, that will stand as a monument to the public-spiritedness of Mr. Webber. The father died while the building was being erected, and the entire business then devolved upon the junior partner, who continued the business along the same lines laid down by the father. Besides large property and business interests in Lyons and Detroit, he was a partner in the following banking firms: Webber & Ruel of Pewamo; Webber-Ruel- Lobdell at Muir; Churchill & Webber of Shelby and the firm of the same name at New Era. He was also a stockholder in the Newaygo State Bank and the National Bank at Ionia. Deceased was a member of Knight Templars and Council and also a member of the Elks at Ionia; a member of Lyons Lodges R.A.F. No 60 and F.&A.M. No. 37; also belonged to the Modern Maccabees and the order of Woodmen. For years he had been prominent in local politics, holding the office of township clerk for eight years; was a member of the school board eighteen consecutive years; was president of the village for several terms and was serving as trustee at the time of his death. Deceased was very public spirited and no appeal was ever made for funds or influence to boost his home town, but that received his heartiest support and co-operation. A man who took pride in the village, as was attested by the neat appearance of any piece of property owned by him. A shrewd man in a business way, but one who tempered justice with right in his business dealings with his fellowmen. A man who will be missed by every business interest in the town in which he was born and spent his life. The funeral services were held from the home in the village Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock, conducted by Rev. W.H. Thomas, D.D., of Wyandotte, Mich., a former pastor of the Lyons Grace Episcopal church. “Beautiful Isle of Somewhere” was beautifully rendered by Mesdames Ruel and Steadman. The pall bearers were M.F. Hatch of Newaygo; C.L. Churchill of Shelby; J.C. Conger of New Era; L.F. Lobdell of Muir, and J.H. Ruel and L.H. Hale of Lyons. All but the latter were associated with deceased in the banking business. The floral offerings were many and beautiful. The burial was in the Lyons cemetery where the brother members of Lyons Lodge F.&A.M. had charge of the services. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/w/webber14507nob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/ File size: 4.5 Kb