Voted first for Lincoln; dies on anniversary

              Voted First for Lincoln; Dies on Anniversary
Arthur Deeming Last Charter Member of Masonic Fraternity
	Funeral of Arthur Deeming, long identified with public affairs of Lockport until advancing age forced his retirement a year and a half ago, and then his death, will be held at the late residence, 130 East Eighth street tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 o’clock. 
	Mr. Deeming was not the only one of the oldest residents of Lockport, being 88 years old, but he was the last surviving charter member of the Lockport Masonic Lodge, No. 538. He died Thursday morning at five o’clock.
	The Rev. H. R. Jay, pastor of the Congregational church, will officiate at the funeral, which will be in charge of the Lockport Masonic order.  Burial will be in Lockport cemetery.  
Voted For Lincoln
	Mr. Deeming had a long and interesting career and he recalled with great satisfaction the fact that he cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. It was a strange coincidence that she should die on the birthday anniversary of the “martyred president” whom he so greatly loved and admired. 
	The decedent was born at Melton- Mobray, England, May 31, 1843. He came to America and located in Lockport at the early age of 12 years and resided here from that time until his death.
	The youth lad immediately began his business service as a clerk in the store of Stephen Dowse. In 1864 he became manager of the store of Norton and company here, which was then and for many long years one of the leading business houses of Will county.
Active in Lockport
	In 1907 he became identified with the Will County Printing company of Lockport, and continued with this institution until his retirement eighteen months ago. 
	Wedded in 1867 to Miss Anna M. Smith, also of Lockport, Mr. Deeming was the father of one daughter, May L. Deeming, who is now Mrs. Thomas A. Cheadle. 
	Only other immediate surviving relatives are two grandsons, Bruce D. and Arthur T. Cheadle, and one great-grandson, Thomas A. Cheadle II, all residing in Lockport. 
	Mr. Deeming came to Lockport at the old Illinois and Michigan canal was beginning to bear the traffic of commerce which was to build Chicago and make Lockport an important shipping point for grain.
Remembered Old Canal
	During his lifetime he saw almost the whole period of usefulness of the old ditch, which was responsible for the name this city now bears. But he saw rehabilitation begun and broader possibilities inaugurated in the new deep waterway which is to still further revolutionize shipping here and make Lockport a center for industrial shipping. 
	Like many other old residents of Lockport the life of this pioneer was touched by the old waterway. For a short time prior to his connection with Norton and company, he was employed at the Fifth street boatyard as a carpenter engaged in the building of boats. 
	This aged resident, then but a lad, later had supervision of the drivers for Norton and company, these drivers riding the mules which provided the motive power for canal traffic in the early days.

Saved Company Store
 	During the disastrous fire of August 10, 1895, Mr. Deeming directed the fire-fighting which saved the Norton store at 10th and State streets. In his life-span transportation developed in the middle west from ox teams to airplanes.
	This early settler saw the building of the railroads through Lockport and all the developments of this city from an early settlement to the municipality it is today, and he took part in the many phases of the development.
	In his early life Mr. Deeming was an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal church and served for several years as its Sunday school superintendent. 
	The passing of this long active figure in Lockport affairs marks the departure of one of the last of a very few real old residents.
	The life and character of Mr. Deeming was exemplary, and it can be said truly that all who knew the gray bearded old gentleman, who sat so much on the porch of his home during the last summer, were glad to call him friend and neighbor.