Larimore, J.C.

J.C. Larimore
May 1807-December 24, 1891

Niles Daily Sun, Thursday, December 24, 1891, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library


    A telegram to H. M. Dean from Mr. F. M. Gray, received a few hours ago, announced that Mr. J.C. Larimore died in Chicago at five o'clock this morning.  The tidings of his decease was not a surprise to those of his friends who had known of the rapid failure of his strength and vitality during the few weeks that he had spent in Chicago.  Nevertheless it came as a shock, especially to the few that remain of the band of early settlers, who a half century ago worked shoulder to shoulder to lay deep and broad the foundations of this  goodly commonwealth, which is our priceless heritage.  And it is to the men of intelligence, deep religious principle, firm moral and physical courage and unflinching integrity, such as was Mr. Larimore, that we are indebted for the present high moral and religious tone of our society today.
    Mr. Larimore was a native of Ohio, and was born at Steubenville in May 1807.  He married a daughter of Judge James Wilson and removed to Niles in the spring of 1834.  His first business venture was in a dry goods store, but in 1838 he purchased a stock of drugs and continued in the drug business until the fall of 1883, when he sold his interest to J. M. Dean, who had been associated with him as clerk and partner for upwards of 33 years.  As a business man he was conservative, exact and trustworthy, and no man could be more prompt in the discharge of his business obligations than he was.
    The death of Mrs. Larimore about 1854 left him with a son and three daughters. Later he married Mrs. Bassett, who died in 1883, leaving a son and daughter.  Owing to his advanced years and repeated bereavements he sold out his business and devoted his time to the care of his private affairs.
    Mr. Larimore was a man of firm religious convictions and was from youth a member of the Presbyterian Church, and for many years he almost carried the Church here upon his shoulders.  He was a ruling Elder for 40 years and was treasurer of the church for about as long a time.  He gave liberally of his means for its support and his presence and voice were seen and heard in the social meetings of the church as long as his health permitted.
    Aside from the years of his own affairs he was for many years president of the Citizens Nat. Bank, treas'r of the Niles Paper Co., Secretary of the Gas Light Co., and held other positions satisfactorily.  Of late years the associates of early life have passed away, and he made no effort to form new attachments, so when his daughter moved with her husband, Dr. F. C. Ford, to Chicago a few weeks ago, he felt that he must be with them, and to the surprise of his friends here he became for the time  a citizen of that city.
    He leaves two sons, James W. and Charles T. both being in Chicago, and three daughters, Mrs. F. N. Gray, of this city, Mrs. Gussie Fenn, of Cleveland, and Mrs. Ford; a grandson, only child of his daughter Kate, residing in Minneapolis, Minn.

Niles Weekly Mirror, Wednesday, December 30, 1891, page 1, col. 3, reprinted from Niles Daily Star, Thursday, December 24, 1891, microfilm Niles District Library


    A telegram to H.M. Dean, from F. M. Gray, brings tidings of the death of Mr. J. C. Larimore, who died at Chicago at 5 o'clock this morning.
    The parents of Mr. Larimore were born in central Pennsylvania, and resided for some years in Washington county, from whence, in 1802, they removed to Steubenville, Ohio. Here the father engaged in the sale of general merchandise for a time, but aftewards[sic] added to his business the manufacture of cotton goods.  He also held the office of postmaster for about thirty years.  In this village the son was born, and here he remained until early manhood.  He attended the village school, and afterwards prosecuted the study of the languages, under the tuition of Rev. George Buchanan, and completed his studies at the academy in his native place.  But it was under the careful eye of his father and in association with  him that he acquired the strict business habits which have contributed to his success in life.  He married a daughter of Judge James Wilson, (for may[sic] years editor of the Western Herald, an able and influential Whig paper) and in 1834, while yet but a young man, he removed to Niles, Mich., where he engaged in the sale of dry goods until 1838, when he disposed of the business and established the drug store, which still continues, and which is reconized[sic] as one of the oldest and most reliable establishments in the state.  In 1860, he associated with him in the business Henry M. Dean (who for ten years had been in his employ as clerk) with bore the firm name of Larimore and Dean for a number of years.
    In disposition Mr. Larimore was conservative rather than aggressive but firm and decided in his opinions. In politics he was a Whig until the use of the Republican party, when he attached himself to it, sympathizing with the party in all its essential measures. He had no political aspirations, but accepted the appointment of postmaster at Niles under Gen. Harrison, which office he held until after the election of President Polk.  In religion he was by education and conviction a Presbyterian of the strictest stamp, and to his church he has ever given his aid and influence, while at the same time he has always been ready to extend the hand of sympathy and to fraternize heartily and sincerely with all sister denominations. For twenty-five years he was a ruling elder and for nearly thirty years the treasurer of the first Presbyterian church of this city.  In 1877 he was again reelected treasurer, but at his earnest solicitation he was permitted to decline the office.  In 1872 he aided to organize the First National Bank, and was its first vice-president, which office he resigned soon after to accept the presidency of the Citizens' National Bank to which position he was reelected a number of years.  In addition to his daily attention to the drug business and his duties as president of the bank he was also an officer or director of the Niles Gas Light Co., the Niles Paper Mill Co., the City and Village Insurance Co., etc.; and he has ever been ready to extend and aid his hearty co-operation to any and all enterprizes whose object was to advance the material interests of the city of his adoption.
    Mr. Larimore was married twice, his first wife dying a great many years ago, and the second wife, who was a Mrs. Bassett, died in 1883. In October 1883, he sold out his drug business to H. M. Dean & Son, since which time he has nothing but look after his outside business interests, and for the past three months has resided in Chicago with Mr. and Mrs. Dr. Ford.  He leaves two daughters and one son by his first wife and a daughter and son by his second wife.  Mr. Larimore would have been 85 years old had he lived until next May. He had been failing for some time. The remains are expected here this evening, when arrangements will be made for the funeral.