Lora was born March 28, 1869, in Blairstown, Iowa, to Robert and Rebecca Hayden Ferman. She married Henry C. Pitman there on March 21, 1894. He ran the Pitney store in Tampico, had business in Dixon, and died July 12, 1947.

Does anyone have more info on Henry and Lora- photos, Lora's obit, cemetery info?

Thanks,
Jim Sanderlin
JimDeanSandy81@juno.com

I don't have anything on Lora; however, I have this obit of her brother Kent from the Tampico Tornado newspaper:

July 29, 1920
Mr. and Mrs. H.C. PITNEY returned last week from Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, Iowa, where they were called by the sickness and death of her brother, banker Kent C. FERMAN [FIRMAN] of Cedar Rapids who died at the hospital in Iowa City last week Tuesday following a lingering illness the last four weeks of which was spent at the University hospital at Iowa City surrounded by the best specialists in Iowa and Chicago. The body was taken to the home at Cedar Rapids where funeral services were held, Friday with internment there. Mr. FERMAN was one of the leading bankers and business men of Cedar Rapids and was actively identified with all of its business and civic life. During the funeral services the banks and business houses all closed and the street cars stopped running. The casket was covered with a blanket of roses as a tribute from his fellow bankers in the city. He was 46 years of age and was born in Blairstown and had worked his way up from messenger boy to cashier of one of the largest banks in Cedar Rapids. He is survived by his wife and two daughters, and one brother and three sisters.

I found this on the Whiteside County genealogy website:

http://genealogytrails.com/ill/whiteside/index.html

HENRY C. PITNEY , 81, of Tampico, who for 13 years conducted shoe stores in Dixon and who had many friends here, passed away unexpectedly in the Jane Lamb hospital in Clinton IA where he had gone last Wednesday for observation and treatment. His death followed a minor operation. Funeral arrangement were incomplete at noon today but it was announced the services would be held at the Methodist Church in Tampico of which he was a member, with Rev. Hollis Wharton officiating. Burial will be in Blairstown IA.

Mr. Pitney was born on a farm southeast of Tampico April 1, 1866 a son of Otto D. & Harriett Pitney and received his education in the Tampico schools and Dixon Business College. From 1901 to 1921 he conducted a general store in Tampico and then entered the shoe business in Dixon, retiring after 13 years to take up the real estate business in his native village. He was married March 21, 1894 in Blairstown to Miss Lola F. Forman who survives him together with a brother Frank L. of Sterling; a sister Mrs. J.W. McKenzie of Erie and several nieces and nephews. His parents and two brothers preceded him. Mr. Pitneys affiliations were with the Masonic orders and the Order of Eastern Star.

The Dixon Evening Telegraph 15 July 1947

Les

Here is H. C.'s obit as it appeared in the Tampico Tornado, July 17, 1947:
Page 1, Col. 1
HENRY C. PITNEY DIED SUDDENLY
Henry C. Pitney, 81, passed away about 9:30 Monday evening at the Jane Lamb hospital in Clinton, Iowa, where he underwent an operation that morning. His death came as a great shock to his wife and friends as the operation was a minor one and his condition was not thought serious.

Funeral services were held at the home at 10:30 this Wednesday morning. The body was taken overland to Blairstown, Iowa for burial this afternoon.

Rev. Hollis Wharton, pastor of the Methodist church, spoke on "God's Source of Comfort." He read the 90th Psalm and used as his text "He hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted." Isaiah 61:1.

Friends who served as pallbearers were John Berge, John Strouss, J. H. Hellier, Egbert Cain, Harold Benson and R. E. McKenzie.

Henry C. Pitney, son of Owen D. and Harriett Pitney, was born on a farm near Tampico, April 1, 1866. He received his education in the Tampico schools and attended business college in Dixon.

On March 21, 1894 he was united in marriage to Miss Lora Ferman at her home in Blairstown, Iowa. Mr. Pitney clerked for seven years following their marriage after which he conducted a grocery and dry goods store in Tampico for 20 years. He was ably assisted in the business by his wife.

They then moved to Dixon where he conducted two shoe stores for 13 years. Thirteen years ago Mr. and Mrs. Pitney bought the former A. T. Glassburn residence on south Main and have made it their home ever since. During these years, Mr. Pitney dealt in real estate.

With the exception of a heart attack suffered following the flu last winter, Mr. Pitney had seemed in excellent health until shortly before his death.

Mr. Pitney was well known and well liked throughout this community. A very frinedly man, he enjoyed nothing better than visiting with his friends. He was a member of the Methodist church, Masonic Lodge and Order of Eastern Star.

He is survived by his wife, one sister, Mrs. Ida McKenzie of Erie; and one brother, Frank of Sterling. He was preceded in death by his parents and twon brothers, James and Fred. ***end of obit****

Comments: The house they refer to as the A. T Glassburn home, is what we locally call the "Castle House" and there is a message thread about it as well a photos - 206 Main Street. Beautiful home! And it's for sale......

I couldn't find any pictures of Henry or Lora, but I will continue to look. There is a picture of his dad, O. D. Pitney, who owned the Pitney House hotel (where Jack & Nelle Reagan stayed while waiting for their apartment to be ready, before Ronald was born)hanging in the Reagan Birthplace/Museum here in Tampico. Jack Reagan worked for Mr. H. C. Pitney as a shoe salesman in several of his stores in IL, including the one in Tampico.

Denise
Family History Coordinator
Tampico Area Historical Society

Last Edited on 12-May-2009 4:15 PM