(veteran)

The family of Hon. J.R. Cantlin received a telegram from Valdosta, Ga., at 10 o’clock last Saturday evening that Mr. Cantlin had suffered a stroke of paralysis and in half an hour another one came announcing his death. He was appointed a delegate by Governor Savage to the Farmers’ National Congress at Macon, Ga., and was on a pleasure trip to St. Augustine and Valdosta was the first place of interest visited.

The body arrived here Tuesday afternoon, accompanied by H. A. Talcott, of Crete, Neb., also a delegate to the congress. Mr. Talcott was a total stranger and the family of the deceased are very grateful for his kindness.

The funeral will be held at 10 o’clock this morning at the Catholic church and immediately after the service is over, the G.A.R. will take charge and hold a short service at Germania hall. The remains will be taken to Ridgely, Neb., on Friday for burial by the side of his first wife and four children.

Mr. Cantlin was born at Ottawa, Canada, July 22, 1841, and came with his parents to Illinois when but five years of age. He served three years in Co. A., 104 Ill. Vol. and after the war spent several years as a railroad agent in Illinois. He was married to Miss Eliza Curran in 1866 and in 1869 he came to Nebraska and was in the employ of the U.P. road at North Platte. Two years later he removed to Dodge county, where he lived on a farm until last July when he sold out and moved to this city. He was a member of the state legislature in 1881 and was secretary of the State Grange for many years, also a member of the State Board of Agriculture and for the past three years had charge of the agricultural hall at the state fair.

His first wife died in 1888 and in 1890 he married Miss Lucretia Lippincott, of this city, who survives him. There are eight children living, J. H. of Alliance, Neb.; G. W. of Mitchell, Ill.; E. E. at Ferris, Wyo.; R. B. at Boone, Ia.; F. C. at North Bend; and E. Maude, Edna J. and Ralph L., of this city. Besides his membership in the G.A.R., he was a member of the A.O.U.W., W.O.W., and M.W.A. lodges and carried about $8,000 insurance.

#2-25 Sept., 1902 - The Pilot - John Robert Cantlin

Word reached Blair Saturday evening of the death of J. R. Cantlin at Valdosta, Ga. Mr. Cantlin had been appointed by Governor Savage as a delegate to the Farmers’ National Congress at Macon, Ga., and was enroute there. The cause of death was apoplexy. Two telegrams were sent, the first announcing the stroke, and the second, only a few minutes later, announcing his death. The body will be shipped home for interment. Mr. Cantlin formerly lived in Dodge county, but some four years ago moved to Blair. He has been prominently identified with the State Board of Agriculture, usually having charge of the agricultural department.

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

Find a Grave Memorial #87131248