Lacey - Osmon Miller
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Argus News Jan 17, 1891 p 1
The community was shocked by the announcement of the death of OM Lacey at 7 p.m. Friday at the home of his brother-in-law, Harriet Pontious, on East Main Street. Three weeks ago he was taken sick with the grip which developed into a fever. He became worse and his father and mother and brothers and sisters were sent for. They came and he became so much better that he was considered out of danger and his father and brothers returned home. The end, however, came quietly, peacefully and unexpectedly, those at his bedside talking to him a few moments before his soul took its flight to that bourn whence no traveler returns.
Osman Miler Lacey first saw the light of day at Selma, in Henry County. He was the son of HJ and Elizabeth T. Lacey. His father was a Methodist minister and Osman's boyhood and youth was spent in different towns in eastern Indiana. He was exceedingly bright and a good scholar although he did not enjoy the advantages of a collegiate education. In 1875 when he was 19 he went to Japan where he accepted a position as professor in the government schools at Tokio (sic). He did not drop his own studies, however, but after hours recited to an older professor and thus increased his storehouse of knowledge, and at the same time taking a course of reading. His hours as instructor were not long and in addition to his other duties he found time to act as tutor to a couple of Japanese princes. His salary from the government was liberal and with his tutoring brought him a handsome income. He kept house with three other professors, having between them several servants. The life was almost an ideal one but the young American was afraid that if he stayed there too long that all ambition for anything better would leave him and that he would never return to this country. At the end of the five years he sailed for the United States although he was offered a substantial increase of salary if he would only stay. He often talked of returning to Japan but was dissauaded by family and friends. He has never been very robust since his return from Tokio although he was very muscular and was clever at baseball, tennis and outdoor sports. In 1883 he came to Crawfordsville and with the exception of a few months has been engaged in business ever since. He was a young man respected and honored by all who knew him. At Tokio he was a member of the Mission Church, joined the ME Church upon is return, but upon coming to Crawfordsville united with Center Church. He was 34 years old and was a member of the Masonic fraternity. His brothers and sisters are Mrs. Harriet Pontious, Crawfordsville; Frank M. Lacey, Indianapolis; Charles E. Lacey, Bluffton; John W. Lacey, Cheyenne; Mrs. Eva Silver, Bluffton. The funeral was held at 2 p.m. Sunday. The Masons met at 1 o'clock. Interment at Oak Hill. Services by Revs. Switzer and Cunningham - kbz
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Saturday 10 January 1891
The community was greatly shocked last evening to hear of the death of O. M. Lacey, which occurred very suddenly about 7 o’clock. Mr. Lacey had been very ill for several weeks but was considered on the high way to recovery. Indeed so certain did his recovery seem that all his relatives had returned home with the exception of his mother and his sister, Mrs. Winnie Silver, of Oklahoma City. His complaint was typhoid malarial fever with probably other complications. The funeral will be held tomorrow at 2 o’clock from the residence of Harrie Pontious. It will lie under the auspices of the Masonic Fraternity and Revs. R. J. Cunningham and G. W. Switzer will officiate.
Osman M. Lacey was born in Selma, Delaware County, on the 8th of March, 1857. He was the son of Rev. H. J. Lacey, a member of the Indiana Conference, now residing at Johnson, Indiana. After receiving a common school education, Mr. Lacey received private tutorage from his brother and at 18 age of years, took a position as professor of English in the Imperial University at Tokyo, Japan. He remained there for 5 years highly respected and left a $3,000 position to return to this country to his friends. He at first engaged in the manufacturing business at Indianapolis, but his health failing he, in 1883, came to this city and purchased a half interest in the book store of his brother-in-law, Harrie Pontius, whom he eventually bought out and continued a successful business up to the time of his death. Mr. Lacey was a prominent member of the Center Presbyterian Church and an officer in the Masonic fraternity. He leaves three brothers, Frank M. of Indianapolis, Charles E. of Bluffton, and John W. of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and two sisters, Mrs. Harrie Pontious and Mrs. Winnie Silver. It is safe to say that no citizen of Crawfordsville ever died more regretted by the public than O. M. Lacey. He had an extensive acquaintance and a known enemy in the world. He was extremely popular with all classes and his modest, unassuming way had won him a host of warm friends to whom his death comes as a great sorrow.
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Monday, 12 Jan. 1891 Edition
The funeral of the late O. M. Lacey occurred yesterday afternoon at three o’clock and was very largely attended. The floral offerings were unusually numerous and elaborate. One of them represented a canoe boat across which lay a broken oar. This was from the Kingfishers. Two Indianapolis firms from which Mr. Lacey bought goods sent over flowers. Dr. R. J. Cunningham opened the services with a scriptural selection and Rev. G. W. Switzer followed with a prayer. After a hymn, Dr. Cunningham delivered a beautiful sermon and the remainder of the services was conducted by the Masons at the grave. J. B. Johnson, Misses Sallie Newton, Anna Davidson, Hattie Ashley and Kate Elston were flower bearers, and Wallace Sparks, Albert Miller, George Graham, Walter McClure, Jere West, and John Bonnell acted as pall bearers.
Source: Saturday 26 December 1891 -- List of Deaths in 1891
January - OM Lacey
Source: Crawfordsville Review 10 Jan 1891 p 1
OM Lacey died at the residence of his sister, Mrs. Harry Pontious, on East Main Street last night at 7 o’clock after a struggle of three weeks with typhoid fever, Mr. Lacey was born in Wells County this state 35 years ago. In 1883 he, in company with his brother-in-law, Mr. Pontious came to this city and purchased the WE Brewer Book Store on Main Street. Later on, he purchased his partner’s interest and has since conducted a very successful business. Mr. Lacey was an exemplary young man of good habits, the personification of kindness and the soul of honor. Surrounded by all the luxuries of this life his death in early manhood is all the more sad. He leaves a father, mother, two sisters, three brothers and a wide circle of friends to mourn his death. At this writing no arrangements have been made for the burial.