12 July, 1951 - The Enterprise J. L. Pounds Succumbs Long Illness

Well Known Clothing Merchant and Civic Leader Buried Tuesday

J. L. Pounds, well known Blair clothing merchant, succumbed Friday night to a long illness which has kept him at his home for many months. A long-time resident of this community, he had steadfastly refused to leave his friends and his beloved town for a climate which might have improved his health and lessened his suffering.

Born December 22, 1878 at Missouri Valley, Iowa, he moved with his parents to Washington county in 1883. He grew to manhood in the Arlington vicinity, coming to Blair shortly before 1896.

In 1904 he began work in the clothing store of Ed Mathiesen where he continued for 16 years. Then, in 1920, he purchased the store and operated it for another 22 years under the name of the J. L. Pounds Clothing Store.

Few Blair business men have given more of their time and efforts to community affairs than did J.L. Pounds. And few have held more faithfully to the principals of righteous government and administration of public affairs.

As early as 1896 he became associated with the Blair Fire Department and continued to hold that membership for many years.

As ardent follower of the I.O.O.F. teachings, he served as treasurer of that organization for 40 years. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and a charter member of the Blair Rotary club. He served as treasurer of Rotary until retiring from business in 1942.

For 28 years he was Secretary and Treasurer of the Blair Cemetery Association and was the prime mover in making many of the improvements which the cemetery has had through the years.

He served on the City Council from Ward two for several terms and was also a member of the school board. At the time the present High School building was erected at Central ward he was President of the Board of Education.

The deceased is survived by his wife, the former Margaret M. Schmidt, to whom he was married October 23rd, 1901. Four children were born to the couple, two of whom survive. A son, James W. Pounds, and a daughter (Peggy) Mrs. H.E. Tagg, of Gary, Indiana, a brother, S. Harvey Pounds, of Blair and a sister, Mrs. Grace Neilsburg, of Tampa, Florida survive. An infant son, David Blair and another son, Glen Ira, preceded their father in death. In addition to the surviving members of the immediate family, there are 4 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Campbell Mortuary, conducted by the Odd Fellows lodge. Pall bearers were fellow lodge members which Mr. Pounds had personally selected before his death. The Rev. J.D. Johnson gave the funeral sermon and burial was made in the Blair Cemetery.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~