Joseph Clark Larimore

Find A Grave Memorial

Niles Gazette and Advertiser, Sat., Nov. 21, 1835:

J. C. Larimore & Co., Are now receiving a large and handsome assortment of Fall and Winter Goods, Consisting in part of Black, Blue, Green, Brown and Adalade Cloths, Cloths for Overcoats, Black, Blue, Drab and Figured Cassimere, sattinets assorted colors, morino and Circassines, Red, White and Green Flannels, Canton Flannels different colors, Goats Hair Camblets, Mackinac Blankets, Fur and Seal skin Caps, Woollen stockings and socks, besides many other articles making a very general assortment of Dry Goods. Also a large stock of fresh Groceries, Hardware, Queensware, Glass, Iron, Nails, &c., &c., &c. All of which will be sold at our usual low prices. Niles, November 21, 1835.

Shoes, Boots and Hats. A large stock of Shoes, Boots, and Hats, just received by J. C. Larimore.

Niles Intelligencer, Niles, Mich., May 1, 1839:

This is a published notice of a suit n Berrien County, Michigan Circuit Court, April term where John G. Bond and J. C. Larimore vs. David, George and Charles Sabey. It mentions a writ issued 22 Jan. 1839, but the rest of the notice is badly smeared, and the details are not discernable.

Niles Republican, Sat., April 3, 1858:

Advertisement for "Western Liver Pill," with long description. Manufactured at Niles, Michigan, and for sale by J. C. Larimore. In the same issue is another ad for Bailey's Magical Pain Extractor, also sold by J. C. Larimore, agent, Niles, Mich. Another ad in the same issue for Dr. Cheeseman's Pill, "Important to Females," and also sold by J. C. Larimore, Agent, Niles, Mich. Another ad in the same issue is for Helmbold's Genuine Preparation of Highly Concentrated Compound Fluid Extract Buchu, which was also sold by J. C. Larimore, Niles, Mich.

Niles Inquirer, Feb. 24, 1859:

J. C. Larimore was among a group of people in Niles, Michigan who invited Dr. Dioclesian Lewis to deliver a second Temperane lecture at the Presbyterian Church on Feb. 22, 1859.

Niles Inquirer, March 24, 1859:

Republican nominations for Alderman:

First Ward--George M. Welles, 1 year; J. C. Larimore, 2 years.

Niles Inquirer, Sept. 8, 1859:

A notice of a public meeting, signed by a number of citizens of Niles was published. The meeting was to be held Sept. 10, 1859 at 7:30 in the evening at Kellogg's Hall. Among the people signing the notice was J. C. Larimore.

Niles Inquirer, Wed., Mar. 7, 1860, p. 4:

NOTICE OF COPARTNERSHIP. The undersigned have formed a copartnership, under the name and style of Larimore & Dean, for the purpose of carrying on the Wholesale and Retail Drug business, at the old stand of J. C. Larimore. From our long experience and the increased facilities we enjoy, we feel satisfied that it is to the interests of every one wishing anything in our line to give us a call.

J.C. Larimore

H.M. Dean

Niles, December 31, 1859.

All persons indebted to me are earnestly requested to call and settle immediately, either with cash or by note, as I must close up all my accounts to January 1st.J.C. Larimore.

Niles Republican, Sat., Jan. 7, 1860, p. 3:

There is a long ad advertising Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup for 25 cents per bottle, for sale by J. C. LARIMORE, Niles, Mich.

Niles Republican, March 14, 1863:

REGISTRATION. To the electors of the First Ward of the City of Niles:

The Board of Registration of the First Ward in the City of Niles will meet at the office of the Michigan Central Rail Road Ware House in said City, on Thursday and Friday, April 2d and 3d, 1863, and will be in station from 9 o'clock A.M., to 5:00 P.M. on each of said days for the purpose of completing a list of the qualified voters in said First Ward. By order of the Board of Registration for the City of Niles. M. D. GRAGG, J. K. APTED. Board of Registration for the First Ward. [a list follows, which includes Larimore, Joseph C., Fourth St].

Niles Weekly Times, Thurs., Apr. 25, 1867, p. 3:

Meeting of the Common Council, April 24, 1867. Petition of J. C. Larimore and others from bridging 6th st to make it passable.

Niles Weekly Times, Thurs., May 2, 1867, p. 3:

GONE TO EUROPE--J. C. Larimore, Esq., of the old and well known Drug House of Larimore & Dean, started for Europe this morning. He will be absent several months.

Niles Weekly Times, Thurs., May 30, 1867, p. 3:

Return of Incomes for Berrien County for 1866. The amounts here given are in excess of the $1000 Exempted.

List for Niles includes J. C. Larimore with $2818. Only three others in Niles had a higher income, and only three in other towns in Berrien County had higher incomes than J. C. Larimore.

Niles Weekly Times, Thurs., Aug. 29, 1867, p. 3:

J. C. Larimore, Esq., returned last Friday from a somewhat extended tour through Europe, satisfied, undoubtedly, to spend the remainder of his days, under republican institutions.

Niles Weekly Times, Thurs., Aug. 15, 1867, p. 8:

LARIMORE & DEAN, Wholesale and Retail Dealers in Drugs, Medicines, Medicals, Dye Stuffs, Paints, Oils, Painter's Articles, Varnishes, Window Glass and Putty, Kerosene Oil, Lamps and Wicking, Perfunery and Toilet Articles, Shoulder Braces, Supporters, Trusses, &c., &c. With a full assortment of all the reliable patent medicines of the day. In fact, a complete stock of everything that belong to the Drug or Paint business.

A successful business experience of a Quarter of a Century, among the people of Niles, and our increase facilities for doing an extensive business, gives us an advantage over any drug house west of Detroit. We buy in large quantities, from first hands, make our purchases for CASH and warrant our goods to be Fresh, Pure and Genuine, and wish to be distinctly understood that we will not be Undersold by any establishment in this section.

Physicians Prescriptions carefully compounded at all hours of the day or night.

Marble front, corner of Main and Second Streets, Niles, Michigan.

J. C. Larimore H. M. Dean.

Niles Weekly Times, Thurs., Sept. 12, 1867, p. 3:

THE MEETING AT BERRIEN. An Organization Elected. THE "ST. JOSEPH VALLEY RAILROAD."

The stockholders and friends of the proposed Railroad from St. Joseph to the Indiana State line met at Berrien on Tuesday last, in pursurance of adjournment of previous meeting at Niles....Judge Bacon moved to proceed to the election of ten Directors--four from Berrien, one from Royalton, four from Niles, and one from the country north of Niles, leaving three blanks to be filled from St. Joseph, which was adopted, and the stockholders present thereupon elected the following Directors:

Niles--R. C. Paine, Geo. W. Platt, G. A. Colley and J. C. Larimore...

1871-Berrien County Directory and History, Containing Historical and Discriptive Sketches of the Villages and Townships withing the County, and the Names and Occupations of Persons Residing Therein. 1871. Ed. B. Cowles, Compiler and Publisher, Niles, Michigan (Buchanan, Mich: Record Steam Printing House, 1871)

p. ___. COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS. Berrien County Bible Association. J. C. Larimore, Treasurer.

p. 54. History of Niles... J. C. Larimore came during the same year [1834] and opened a dry goods store on the corner where the Post Office stands. In June, 1840, he purchased the drug store of Dr. Lewis, and has continued in this business for thirty years.

p. 55. During the fall [1838] the Maumee Branch Road Road Company were surveying a route to Chicago. The citizens of Niles were anxious to be connected with the rest of the world by rail as well as by water, as was evinced by a meeting of the citizens on December 14th, at which a committee of seven persons, (J. C. Larimore, Chairman,) was appointed to confer with the commissioners on the subject of the route of that road through the counties of St. Joseph, Cass and Berrien, by way of Niles to New Buffalo.

p. 65. Postmasters at Niles, with the year in which they were appointed.

... 1838--R. W. Landon; 1841--J. C. Larimore; 1845--S. W. B. Chester ...

p. 70. First Presbyterian Church of Niles history. Present officers [1871] ... J. C. Larimore, Treasurer.

p. 72. Old Settler's Society. J. C. Larimore is listed as one of five vice presidents.

p. 72. First National Bank. J. C. Larimore is listed as Vice President.

p. 72. Niles Gas Light Company. J. C. Larimore is listed as Secretary.

p. 72. Niles Manufacturing Company. J. C. Larimore is listed as a director.

p. 94. Niles City Directory:

Larimore & Dean, (J.C.L., & H.M.D.,) druggists, 46 Main.

Larimore Joseph C., (Larimore & Dean,) h. 29 Fourth.

Niles Democrat, Sat., June 30, 1883, p. 3, col. 1:

Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Larimore, of Chicago, and Mrs. Fenn and Mrs. Fanny Barstow, of Cleveland, arrived here on Saturday to attend the funeral of Mrs. J. C. Larimore.

OBITUARY:

Niles Sun, Niles, Michigan newspaper, Thursday, Dec. 24, 1891, p. 1:

DEATH OF J. C. LARIMORE. An Old Niles Resident Passes Away in Chicago at an Early Hour this Morning.

A telegram to H. M. Dean from Mr. F. M. Gray, received a few hours ago, announced that Mr. J. C. Larimore died in Chicago at five o'clock this morning. The tidings of his decease was not a surprise to those of his friends who had known of the rapid failure of his strength and vitality during the few weeks that he had spent in Chicago. Nevertheless it came as a shock, especially to the few that remain of the band of early settlers, who a half century ago worked shoulder to shoulder to lay deep and broad the foundations of this goodly commonwealth, which is our priceless heritage. And it is to the men of intelligence, deep religious principle, firm moral and physical courage and unflinching integrity, such as was Mr. Larimore, that we are indebted for the present high moral and religious tone of our society today.

Mr. Larimore was a native of Ohio, and was born at Steubenville in May, 1807. He married a daughter of Judge James Wilson and removed to Niles in the spring of 1834. His first business venture was in a dry goods store, but in 1838 he purchased a stock of drugs and continued in the drug business until the fall of 1883, when he sold his interest to H. M. Dean, who had been associated with him a clerk and partner for upwards of 33 years. As a business man he was conservative, exact and trustworthy, and no man could be more prompt in the discharge ofhis business obligations than he was.

The death of Mrs. Larimore about 1854 left him with a son and three daughters. Later he married Mrs. Bassett, who died in 1883, leaving a son and daughter. Owing to his advanced years and repeated bereavements he sold out his business and devoted his time to the care of his private affairs.

Mr. Larimore was a man of firm religious convictions and was from his youth a member of the Presbyterian Church, and for many years he almost carried the church here upon his shoulders. He was a ruling Elder for 40 years and was treasurer of the church for about as long a time. He gave liberally of his means for its support and his presence and voice were seen and heard in the social meetings of the church as long as his health permitted.

Asside from the cares of his own affairs he was for many years president of the Citizens Nat. Bank, treas'r of the Niles Paper Co, secretary of the Gas Light Co, and ____ other positions satisfactorily. Of late years the associates of early life have passed away, and he made no effort to form new attachments, so when his daughter removed with her husband, Dr. F. C. Ford, to Chicago a few weeks ago, he felt that he must be with them, and to the surprise of his friends here he became for the time a citizen of that city.

He leaves two sons, James W. and Charles T., both being in Chicago, and three daughters, Mrs. F. M. Gray, of this city, Mrs. Gussie Fenn, of Cleveland, and Mrs. Ford; a grandson, only child of his daughter, Kate, residing in , Minn.

(Provided by Niles Community Library, June 2003)

Niles Weekly Mirror, Wed., Dec. 30, 1891, p. 1:

Death of J. C. Larimore. From the Daily Star of Thursday.

A telegram to H. M. Dean, from F. M. Gray, brings tidings of the death of Mr. J. C. Larimore, who died at Chicago at 5 o'clock this morning.

The parents of Mr. Larimore were born in central Pennsylvania, and resided for some years in Washington county, from whence, in 1802, they removed to Steubenville, Ohio. Here the father engaged in the sale of general merchandise for a time, but afterwards added to his business the manufacture of cotton goods. He also held the office of postmaster for about thirty years. In this village the son was born, and here he remained until early manhood. He attended the village school, and afterwards prosecuted the study of the languages, under the tuition of Rev. George Buchanan, and completed his studies at the academy in his native place. But it was under the careful eye of his father and in association with him that he acquired the strict business habits which have contributed to his success in life. He married a daughter of Judge James Wilson, (for ma[n]y years editor of the Western Herald, an able and influential Whig paper,) and in 1834, while yet but a young man, he removed to Niles, Mich., where he engaged in the sale of dry goods until 1838, when he disposed of the business and established the drug store, which still continues, and which is recognized as one of the oldest and most reliable establishments in the state. In 1860 he associated with him in business Henry M. Dean (who for ten years had been in his employ as clerk,) which bore the firm name of Larimore & Dean for a number of years.

In disposition Mr. Larimore was conservative rather than aggressive but firm and decided in his opinions. In politics he was a Whig until the use of the Republican party, when he attached himself to it, sympathizing with the party in all its essential measures. He had no political aspirations, but accepted the appointment of postmaster at Niles under Gen. Harrison, which office he held until after the election of President Polk. In religion he was by education and conviction a Presbyterian of the strictest stamp, and to his church he has ever given his aid and influence, while at the same time he has always been ready to extend the hand of sympathy and to fraternize heartily and sincerely with all sister denominations. For twenty-five years he was a ruling elder and for nearly thirty years the treasurer of the first Presbyterian church of this city. In 1877 he was again reelected treasurer, but at his earnest solicitation he was permitted to decline the office. In 1872 he aided to organize the First National Bank, and was its first vice-president, which office he resigned soon after to accept the presidency of the Citizens' National Bank to which position he was reelected a number of years. In addition to his daily attention to the drug business and his duties as president of the bank, he was also an officer or director of the Niles Gas Light Co., and the Niles Paper Mill Co., the City and Village Insurance Co., etc.; and he has ever been ready to extend and aid his hearty co-operation to any and all enterprizes whose object was to advance the material interests of the city of his adoption.

Mr. Larimore was married twice, his first wife dying a great many years ago, and the second wife, who was a Mrs. Bassett, died in 1883. In October 1883, he sold out his drug business to H. M. Dean & Son, since which time he had done nothing but look after his outside business interests, and for the past three months has resided in Chicago with Mr. and Mrs. Dr. Ford. He leaves two daughters and one son by his first wife and a daughter and son by his second wife. Mr. Larimore would have been 83 years old had he lived until next May. He had been failing for some time. The remains are expected here this evening, when arrangements will be made for the funeral.

(Provided by Niles Community Library, June 2003)

From a newspaper clipping in the files of Niles Community Library, dated March 24, 1936. Source not stated:

The first drug store was opened by J. C. Larimore, of Ohio, in 1838. Mr. Larimore came from Ohio in 1834, conducted a dry goods business for four years and opened what is now Dean's Drug Store No. 1 in 1838. It has continued in the same location for nearly a century.

(Provided by Niles Community Library, June 2003)

From a newspaper clipping in the files of Niles Community Library, undated and unidentified. This shows a photo of a street corner in Niles centered on a large three and one half story frame clapboard building painted white. The sign on the front says "Drugs & Medicines." The sign on the side says "Larimore Drug Store." The caption below the photo reads as follows:

"A frame building housing Larimore's Drug Store was the predecessor of the brick structure about to be torn down known as Dean's Drug Store. The building at Main and Second will give way to urban renewal. Picture was supplied by Fred Fisher, who said it was given to him about 35 years ago. On the back of the picture was the statement, "The oldest picture of Niles, taken in 1855." Fisher and Larimore later joined Dean in the drug business, then Dean took it over alone."

(Provided by Niles Community Library, June 2003)

Franklin Ellis, History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan. With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers (Philadelphia: D. W. Ensign & Co., 1880), pp. 172-173. JOSEPH C. LARIMORE. [This is word for word the same biographical sketch that was given in his obituary published in the Niles Weekly Mirror, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 1891, as cited above. However, the biographical sketch in the History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties includes a portrait of J. C. Larimore].

Judge Orville W. Coolidge, A Twentieth Century History of Berrien County, Michigan (Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1906), pp. 160-161.

The Citizens National Bank was organized in 1861 with J. C. Larimore as president. "Mr. Larimore had several children, one of whom, Emma, married Francis M. Gray, former mayor of Niles, and is living at Niles. In politics, Mr. Larimore was first a Whig and then a Republican. He was elder of the Presbyterian church almost from its formation."

From the files of Niles Community Library, a copy of the Niles Historical Survey, Niles City Historical Commission, Fall 1979. An Italianate house at 509 N. 4th Street, dated 1881 is being originally owned by Joseph C. Larimore.

Newspaper clipping labeled Her. Palladium, Feb. 19, 1988:

"Area preserves Niles history." By Debra Haight, Niles Correspondent.

NILES-- Niles' first historic district which was established in 1986 by the Niles City Council and which includes North Fourth Street from Sycamore to Wayne Street on the city's northeast side, has just observed the first anniversary of the establishment of a historic district commission...

Joseph Larimore, the owner of Niles' first drug store, built his home at 509 N. Fourth St. in 1881. His drug store was located on the southwest corner of Main and Second Streets and continued in operation until the 1950's when it was leveled for urban renewal...