Lake Co., IN Obit


   ADELBERT D. PALMER, son of JAMES and ALMIRA  (TAYLOR) PALMER, was born in Erie County 
Pa., May 3, 1829, and died at his home in Lowell, Ind., June 4, 1911, at the age of 82 
years, one month and one day.  Mr. Palmer's father was a native of Conn. and his mother 
of New York state.  In 1831 his parents left Pa. and came to St. Joseph county, Ind.; 
settling on what is known as Palmer's Prairie; taking its name from its first settler.  
He built a log cabin and began carving out a home in what at that time was almost a 
wilderness.  The family resided here until 1846, when the farm was sold and the family 
again took up its westward march; coming to West Creek township, where a farm of 320 acres 
was purchased.  This was afterward sold and the family moved to Cedar Creek, where the 
father died in August 1863.
    MR. PALMER obtained a fair education in the common schools of that day and although he 
was not a graduate from any high school or Business College, yet he was a thoroughly well 
qualified business man; being capable of doing almost any kind of business.  In 1849 he was 
united in marriage with MARIETTA BURCH, of New York state; with whom he lived about 61 years 
before he was called upon to part with her in death.  To this union nine children; 7 sons 
and two daughters, were born; all of which survive their parents.  In 1852 he made an 
overland trip to California, where he engaged in mining, real estate and lumber business 
until 1854, when he returned home; coming by way of Panama and New York.
    On returning home he engaged in farming and stock raising.  In February 1865 he went 
out to fight the battles of his country; from which he was honorably discharged in September 
of the same year, the war being over.  MR. PALMER served four years as Assessor in West 
Creek township and eight years as Justice of the Peace in West Creek and Cedar Creek 
townships.  He also served as postmaster for 30 years.  In 1869 he opened a general store 
at what was at that known as "Tinkerville" one half mile east of the present site of 
Creston.  Six years later he lost his entire stock, valued at $5,000 by fire.  Soon after 
his burnout he built a large store room and dwelling at Creston, where he continued to do 
business until eight or nine years ago, when he disposed of his stock of goods and moved 
to Lowell, where he has since resided, and where he has taken the world much easier than he 
did prior to his coming here. 
    His has been a very active life and by industry and economy, he amassed quite a large 
property.  He was a man of a genial and courteous nature and made friends of all with whom 
he came in contact.  He will be greatly missed by many outside the circle of his immediate 
relatives.  His funeral which was very largely attended, showing the esteem and respect in 
which he was held by his old neighbors and friends, occurred from the from the M. E. church, 
Lowell, at 1:30pm Tues.  REV T. F. DRAKE of Winamac, preached a most excellent funeral 
discourse,  He was assisted in his work by ELDER JOHN BRUCE. Beautiful and appropriate music 
was furnished by MRS. J. W. BELSHAW  and MISS EDITH CHIPMAN, with MISS MILLIE CHIPMAN 
organist. Funeral Director, H. V. WEAVER, had charge of the burial services.  The following 
acted as pall bearers:  S. H. PETRIE, H. GERSHMAN, J. A. YEAZEL, P. J. MCNAY, VICTOR ROBERTS 
and W. T. DICKINSON. After services at the church, the body was escorted by members of Colfax 
Lodge A. F. & A. M., and members of Burnham Post G.A.R. and JOHN A. LOGAN Camp S. of V., to 
the Lowell cemetery, where the beautiful ritualistic ceremonies of the Masonic order and 
G.A.R. were performed.  Past Master WILLIAM KRIMBALL, of Crown Point, assisted by REV. T. F. 
DRAKE, of Winamac performed the Masonic work, and COMMANDER VOSBURG, CHAPLAIN BACON, H. H. 
RAGON, C. C. PATTEE and NATHAN WORLEY, performed the work of the Post. The work of both 
orders was well done and was very impressive.
    After the ceremony of the orders, the body was conveyed by the pall bearers to the 
mausoleum and placed in a crypt beside his wife.  He leaves 9 children, 7 sons, JOHN, of 
Chicago, M. A., of Hammond, E. G., of East Chicago, JASPER of Tolleston, BEN, CHARLES and 
JAMES, of Lowell; two daughters, MRS. E. E. RAGON, of Gary, and MRS. AMOS THOMPSON, of 
Lowell.  He also leaves 21 grand-children, 23 great-grandchildren and 2 
great-great-grand-children, two brothers, WILLIAM PALMER of Nebraska, and GEORGE PALMER, of 
Lowell, together with a number of nephews, nieces and other relatives and friends to mourn 
his death.  The bereaved relatives and friends have the sympathy of this community in their 
great sorrow and bereavement.  The following relatives from a distance were in attendance:  
J.D. PALMER and wife, Englewood, M.A. PALMER, wife and sons, CLAUD and CLAIRE and 
MISS GRACE GERO, Hammond, E.G. PALMER, wife and daughter, MABELL, East Chicago, E. E. RAGON, 
wife and sons, FOREST and CHANDOS, Gary, JASPER PALMER, wife and son CECIL, Tolleston, 
ROBERT R. PALMER, WILBUR THOMPSON, and wife, Chicago, IRVIN THOMPSON, Buck Creek, Ind., 
FLORENCE FORD and son, Steger, Ill., EMIL VAILEE and wife, Leroy, Ind., CRIP HILL and wife, 
Chicago.


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Submitted By Maryvance Thompson Phelps
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