Pontious - Harrie
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 14 February 1902
The many friends of Harrie Pontious in this city were much shocked Wednesday to learn of his sudden death which occurred in Noblesville Tuesday evening. C. E. Lacey received a long distance telephone message that night about nine o’clock informing him of the death, Mr. Pontious being his brother-in law. The body was brought to this city on Thursday afternoon at one o’clock over the Big Four railway from Noblesville, and was taken at once to Oak Hill Cemetery for burial. The funeral service was held at Noblesville Thursday morning and the service here was a short one in charge of the Masonic bodies. Harrie Pontious was born fifty two years ago, and became identified with the book store in this city in 1883, although he had before this time been employed here. In July, 1895, he sold this store to Mr. Lacey and has since been employed as a commercial traveler for several different firms. He was taken ill several weeks ago with a bad cold and had been threatened with lung fever, but his death was caused by heart failure.
He leaves two sisters, Mrs. Major Wainright and Mrs. M. A. O’Brien, both of Noblesville. Mr. Pontious’ wife, who was a sister of C. E. Lacey, died in this city in 1891. He was a member of the different Masonic bodies of this city and was a Past Eminent Commander of the Knights Templar.
Mr. Pontious was familiarly known in this city by the name of “Punch” and had the reputation of being a whole souled, pleasant gentleman whom it was a pleasure to know and to be associated with. He was quite a sportsman, taking an active part in athletics, especially in bicycling and had held several positions in the L. A. W. In his death a man passes off the stage of human existence who made the world better for having lived in it, and whose memory will be long revered for his many good deeds.
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 14 February 1902
The body of Harrie Pontious arrived yesterday from Noblesville at two o’clock and was met at Plum Street depot by the Knights Templar, a committee from the P. O. S. of A., and the Crawfordsville band, of which organization he had been a member. The pallbearers were Ed Voris, B. F. Crabbs, C. M. Travis, J. L. Davis, Ed VanCamp and Fred Manson. The body was accompanied by his sisters and several friends from Noblesville and was taken immediately to Oak Hill Cemetery, the band acting as an escort as far as Lafayette Avenue. The P. O. S. of A. and the Masons both sent magnificent flora tributes, and upon arriving at the cemetery the Knights Templar conducted a brief service, Rev. S. W. Goss offering a prayer. Short funeral services were held yesterday at eight o’clock at the home of his sister, Mrs. O’Brien in Noblesville, Rev. B. S. Hollopeter officiating. Mr. Pontious was the son of John Pontious, one of the pioneer merchants of Noblesville and leaves two sisters in that city. -s