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Submitted: 3/6/09 • Approved: 3/6/09 • Last Updated: 8/13/15 • R2860-G0-S3
Sept. 15, 1862 - Dec. 9, 1928
W S Catlin Dies Suddenly
Well know resident and Businessman of Dell Rapids for forty years dies from heart failure on Sunday evening the 9th of December 1928, funeral to be Wednesday.
The community was deeply shocked to hear of the very sudden death of W. S. Catlin, a well known resident and Bussiness man of Dell Rapids for more than forty years, which occurred early Sunday evening in the apartments occupided by the deceased and his wife over the Catlin Jewelry store. Mr Catlin had not been sick and had been out and around Sunday afternoon, apparently as well as usual, but mid afternoon returned home and complained of severe pain in his chest and asked his wife to prepare some hot water bags for him as his feet were cold. Upon getting the hot water bags he lay down on the bed and seemed to be resting easier. His wife looked in on him several times and he seemed to be resting easy and she did not disturb him. Shortly after six she went to his bed side and spoke to him but received no answer. Switching on the light, she noted that, while he appeared to be alseep, a great change had taken place in his apperarence, and there upon hastily summoned Dr J. B. Eagan from the hospital, who upon his arrival, found that Mr. Catlin had passed away, death being due to heart failure.
Willard Sharon Catlin was a little past 66 years of age. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisc, September 15 1862. In his boyhood days he travled a great deal on the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River with his father who was a sailor. He graduated high school at Norwood, Iowa, and later from Iowa State Teachers College. He learned the jeweler's trade in Tampa, Florida and while working for W.H. Beck a leading jeweler of Sioux City, Iowa. Later he came to Sioux Falls and was employed in the jewelry stores of Erickson and C.F. Sischo for a period of six years.
Mr Catlin came to Dell Rapids in 1888 and opened a jewelry store which he carried on continuosly from that time until his death. In addition to his jewelry work he took a course in optical work at the Philadelphia Optical Collage, from which he graduated, and had since carried on that line of business in connection with his Jewelry business.
Mr Catlin was married on June 9 1892 to Miss Stella Harrington of Dell Rapids who surivies him. He leavews no children, but is survived by one sister Mrs DeLong , and one brother R.F. Catlin residing at Elm Springs , Saskatchewan, Canada.
Mr Catlin joined the Masonic Order in Aberdeen, S D later transferring to a lodge in Sioux Falls and hence to Dell Rapids. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a Shriner. a member of El Raid Temple in Sioux Falls. He was a charter member of Miriam Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, and was the first Worthy Patron of the Chapter serving in that capacity for eleven years. He also was a member of the I.O.O.F. lodge and the Modern Woodmen camp of Dell Rapids and a member of the EEpiscopal Church.
In the death of Mr Catlin Dell Rapids has lost not only a long time resident and business man, but an outstanding good citizen who was active and progressive in all civic affairs. He will be greatly missed, not only by his sorrowing wife and others relatives and intimate friends, but by all the people of the community, and especially by his long time business associates.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday under Masonic auspices at the First Baptist Church at 2:30 o'clock, conducted by pastor Rev. H P Cox, assisted by Rev. A J Holland of the Presbyterian Church and Rev. Vernon of the Methodist Church. The Business house were closed out of respect of the deceased. Special music was rendered by the Eastern Star quarteet, composed of L L Williams, F C Bowles, Mrs Frank Briley and Mrs. Edna ruase with accompaniment by Mrs. Perle Wagner. Burial was in the Dell Rapids Cemetery, the Masons conducted the service at the grave.
There was a large attendance at tyhe funeral services, including a delegation of Masons from Sioux Falls. The pallbearers were Manonic Brethren of the deceased, namely; F C Bowles, W F Voy, Fres Pfister, O H Eide, L K Larson and W S Waters.
Contributed on 3/6/09 by dellsfig68
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Record #: 2860