James Lazear "Doc" LOAR

  General Notes:

Photo is being restored and will be added.



BOOK: THE LOAR GENEALOGY with Cognate Branches, 1774-1947, by Emma Loar Gaddis, Manson, Iowa, Edward Brothers, Inc. Ann Arbor Michigan, 1949, pages 186-188:


JAMES LAZEAR LOAR (John, John, Jacob) was born three miles southwest of Waynesburg, Pa. January 24, 1864. He was 4 years old when his parents moved, 1868, south of Fairbury, Ill. He was educated in the public schools and became a very successful teacher. Was graduated from the law department at Ann Arbor, Mich. in 1887 with the degree of LL.D. He hung up his first shingle at Colby, Kans. rendering that community a valuable service as States Attorney.

While living here he married Miss Florence Ruddick of Jacksonville, Ill., a teacher whom he had met while he was Supt. of Schools in Bluff City, Ill. She was a graduate of the Female Seminary of Jacksonville, Ill. and followed the teaching profession for several years. She also assisted in the dental office of her brother-in-law, Dr. Duncan, with whom she made her home. They were married in Phillipsburg, Kans. July 5, 1889, by Rev. J. S. Hall and went at once to the home at Colby that he had prepared for her. She was a lovely, cultured lady and proved to be a fine helpmate for a young lawyer in a new field. They were very happy together, but his star of hope soon went out when she presented him with twin boys on January 12, 1891 and passed away the same day at the age of 26 years. The funeral was held at the home of her sister, Mrs. Duncan, in Jacksonville, Ill., and she was buried in the Diamond Grove Cemetery with her twin babies in her arms.

After a few months he left Colby ad established himself at Ogden, Utah, where he remained 6 years (and was very successful). During this time he wrote the book "Utah Index Digest" of the decisions of the Supreme Court of Utah. He also engaged in a fight against Mormonism, giving his lectures many times in several states.

While in Ogden, Utah, Mr. Loar on August 10, 1892, was married to Miss Mildred Wood, who was born September 13, 1868 in Richwood, Ohio. When she was 16, her family had moved to Fredonia, Kans; later she went to Ogden, where she was teaching when he met her. No one could have been a wiser choice for she aided him in whatever he attempted by her good judgment and interest. She was both a devoted wife and splendid mother. They returned to Bloomington, Ill. in 1897, where he continued the practice of law for several years but gave it up to become a Chautauqua manager. He had been very active in Epworth League work and while he was State President he was the leader in launching the Epworth League Chautauqua at Havana, Ill. The press report says, "This proved to be so successful with such stirring, uplifting, and spiritual programs, so educational and entertaining, that he definitely turned toward the Chautauqua (which was becoming so popular at that time) as his future field of labor."

In 1909 he formed a partnership with James H. Shaw and started a Chautauqua Bureau in Bloomington. Soon he became the sole owner of the "Loar Independent Chautauqua Company." Then he bought out the International Company of Chicago and became the largest Independent Chautauqua owner in the United States.

In 1925 it was estimated that 2,000,000 people heard his uplifting programs. He was an earnest worker in the Methodist Church; a Democrat; a 32 degree Mason, a Shriner; a member of the Country Club. He was in "Who's Who in America" many times. He was a very benevolent man and no one will ever know the number of people he helped out of difficult places.

Press notices say:

"Mr. Loar was a very enthusiastic traveler and believed in order to keep fit and to give his best to this Chautauqua work that he loved so dearly, he must take some rest and vacation from his strenuous labors and thought. So each winter he and Mrs. Loar would go on a trip. One year they went to the southern states; another to the eastern states and Canada. In 1902, in company with his wife and two daughters, he made a European trip to England, France, Belgium and Italy. In 1923 the Loars ate Christmas dinner in Havana, Cuba. In 1924, in Mexico City, Mexico. In 1925, in Jerusalem, Palestine; also were in Hawaii. In 1925-1926, he and his wife spent the whole winter in Europe, touring all the western and middle part, reaching Alexandra, Egypt, early in December. Here they were joined by their daughter Romaine Alling and her husband Paul, who was the United States Vice-Consul at Beirut, Syria, and the four continued their tour together, reaching Jerusalem in time for Christmas. leaving the Allings in Beirut, they returned home the middle of February.

"1927 Mr. and Mrs. Loar went to Hawaii for their vacation. While on the boat on their return trip, he was stricken with the flu, which in a few weeks led to his death on April 18, 1927, leaving his wife, Mildred Loar, and daughters Constance (Loar) Greenfield of Chicago, and Romaine (Loar) Alling of Beirut, Syria. The latter with her husband and baby were on their way home for a visit. The funeral was held at 1st Methodist Church where he had given so much of his time, conducted by his pastor, Rev. Frank McCarty and Dr. Dan B. Brummit of Chicago, a lifelong friend. Interment was in the Loar lot in the Park Hill Cemetery, Bloomington, Ill.

After Mr. Loar's death, his wife carried on the Chautauqua business with Mr. J. Oscar Hall, as partner for some time, but she sold it in 1931. She made one trip to Beirut to visit her daughter Romaine; then divided her time between Chicago, Washington, D. C. and Calif. where she was taken ill at 63 years of age. She died March 25, 1932 in Chicago, Ill. [Evanston, IL --DeeAnna], was taken to their old home, Bloomington, Ill. where she was placed beside her husband. The funeral was conducted in the 1st Methodist Church where she had been a very active member, by Dr. Dan Brummit of Chicago. Mrs. Loar was a member of the D. A. R. and of numerous clubs and civic organizations.

Following are some of the press reports of Mr. Loar:

Colby, Kans. "Mr. Loar built up a fine practice here. He was elected States Attorney in 1888 and served 4 years. The prohibition issue was then prominent. Mr. Loar had charge of the prosecution of the famous Bohemian Club case, which was carried to the Supreme Court, Mr. Loar being the victor. As the liquor interests were represented by the ablest counsel obtainable, the victory of the Bloomington man gave him national prominence."

"With the faith and ideals that were his, James L. Loar wrought well; and in the lives of countless thousands, the enobling influences, born of his labors will go on and on. Although a man of tremendous energy and dynamic power, he was at all times the soul of courtesy and pleasant geniality, winning everyone to himself." Editorial - DAILY BULLETIN, Bloomington, Ill.




1864 BIRTH of James Lazear Loar ("Doc" to family members)

1868 MIGRATION with parents from Greene County, Pennsylvania to Livingston County, Illinois (in March)

1870 CENSUS, Illinois, Livingston County, Belle Prairie Township, P. O. Fairbury ("James," age 6, with parents)

1880 CENSUS, Illinois, Livingston County, Belle Prairie Township ("James L.," age 16, "works on farm," with parents)

1889 MARRIAGE of James Lazear Loar to first wife, Florence Ruddick on July 5 in Phillipsburg, Phillips County, Kansas by Rev. J. S. Hall

1891 DEATH of first wife, Florence (Ruddick) Loar, at approximately 26 years

1892 MARRIAGE of James Lazear Loar and Mildred Wood on August 10, 1892 in Ogden, Weber County, Utah

1897 NEWSPAPER, The Colfax Press, Colfax, McLean County, Illinois, September 17:

"James L. Loar, the lawyer who has lately returned to Illinois and located in Bloomington, will speak at the Cropsey fair next Thursday."

1898 DEATH of mother, Maria (White) Loar (in June)

1898 DEATH of father, John Loar (in October)

1900 CENSUS, Illinois, McLean County, Bloomington Township, Bloomington ("James L.," age 36, born "January, 1864 in Pennsylvania," occupation, "Attorney") (wife "Mary W.," age 30, born "September, 1869 in Ohio") (Mary should, of course, be Mildred; she is documented as having 2 children, both children living in the year 1900; she and James had been married 7 years)

1910 CENSUS, Illinois, McLean County, Bloomington Township, Bloomington ("James," age 47, "Attorney at Law") (wife "Mildred W.," age 42) (Mildred is shown as the mother of 2 children, 2 children living in the year 1910; she and James had been married 18 years)

1920 CENSUS, Illinois, McLean County, Bloomington Township, Bloomington (" ?," age 57, "Attorney, Office") (wife "Mildred W.," age 52)

1927 DEATH, James Lazear Loar, at 63 years 2 months 25 days

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1930 CENSUS, Illinois, Cook County, Evanston Township, Evanston ("Mildred," age 61, widow, "Vice President, Chautauqua Assn.," is "mother-in-law" in the household of her daughter Constance and her husband, Harlan G. Greenfield)

1932 DEATH of second wife, Mildred (Wood) Loar, at 63 years 6 months 12 days

James married Florence RUDDICK on July 5, 1889 in Phillipsburg, Phillips County, Kansas. (Florence RUDDICK was born about 1865, died on January 12, 1891 in Colby, Thomas County, Kansas and was buried in Diamond Grove Cemetery, Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois.)

James next married Mildred WOOD on August 10, 1892 in Ogden, Weber County, Utah. (Mildred WOOD was born on September 13, 1868 in Richwood, Union County, Ohio, died on March 25, 1932 in Evanston, Cook County, Illinois and was buried in Park Hill Cemetery, Bloomington, Mclean County, Illinois.)