Obit: Lanam, Elvin Jackson (1872 - 1942)

Contact: Crystal Wendt
Email: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Lanam, Kanable, Bennett, Kinderl, Walter, Bell, Longenecker, McAhren, Symmonds, Thayer, Wells, Zilk, Ackerman

----Sources: The Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 4 June 1942

Lanam, Elvin Jackson (14 Oct. 1872 - 2 June 1942)

Elvin Jackson Lanam was born October 14, 1872, in Noble County, Ohio. He passed away at his home in Viola, Wis., on June 2, at the age of 69 years, seven months and 19 days.

With his parents he came to Wisconsin at the age of four, settling in Richland County. He received his early education in West Lima. When he was fifteen the family moved to California and lived there and in the state returning to Viroqua, Wisconsin, in 1890.

In 1894 he was united in marriage to Tessie E. Kanable in Richland County. To this union two children were born, Leah, Mrs. Cecil Bennett, of Augusta, Wis., and Edgar, who died in infancy.

He engaged in farming for several years in Vernon and Eau Claire Counties. After disposing of his farm, he returned to Viola in 1908, where he was associated with the late Charles Kinder and later with Claude E. Walter in the hardware and furniture business.

In 1919 he moved to Neillsville where he was engaged in farming until ill health forced his retirement in March of this year. Two weeks before his death he moved into his former home in Viola.

The departed made friends readily. In culture and refinement he was far above the average, although no evidence of superiority ever was manifested by Mr. Lanam. He treated his business associates, neighbors and friends fairly and with utmost respect, regardless of their positions in life.

Mr. Lenam was the youngest of nine children, of whom; Mrs. Mary Bell of Ladysmith survives. He has been a member for many years of the Congregational Church of Neillsville, Wis. He also was a member of the Modern Woodman lodge since he was 33 years old.

His wife and daughter, Leah, and one grandson, Jack Bennett, his sister, Mrs. Bell and a number of nieces and nephews are left to mourn his loss.

Funeral services were held on Friday, June 5, at two p.m., in the United Brethren Church at Viola. It was but fitting that the Rev. G. W. Longenecker of Neillsville was chosen to conduct the service in the public from which Mr. Lanam listened to his preaching for several years, the Lanams having attended his church there and also became members of the Neillsville Church. Rev. Longenecker’s former congregations at Viola merged with the United Brethren Church. The Rev. George H. McAhren, pastor offered prayer, Rev. S. P. Symmonds of the Methodist Church sang two solos.

Those from Neillsville who went down for the funeral were: David Thayer, Mr. and Mrs. Berton Wells, Rev. and Mrs. G. W. Longenecker, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Zilk, Mrs. W. F. Ackerman, S. G. Patey and Frank Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. William Longenecker of Madison also drove up for the rites and two carloads of nieces and nephews accompanied Mrs. Bell down from Ladysmith.