James "Jim" William Christian

James W. Christian Dies Sunday Evening

A cerebral hemorrhage claimed the life of James W. Christian, long-time resident of this county, on Sunday, Oct. 12, at 10:00 p.m. He had reached the age of 67 years, six months and four days. In failing health following a severe illness which he had suffered a year ago, his sudden passing came as a shock to his family and many friends.

He is survived by his wife, Nellie of Lusk, two daughters, Mrs. Blanche Schaefer and Mrs. Edith Culver, both of Lusk, and five sons, George of Hat Creek, Frank of Rochester, N.Y., and Charles of Lusk, John of Node, Bruce of Lusk. Also surviving him are 16 grandchildren and one great grandchild, a brother, Leonard F. of Lusk, and a sister, Mrs. Nellie Burke of Alhambra, Calif. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Mrs. Evelyn Knori, and a great grandchild, James Disney.

Funeral services were conducted at the Peet Chapel at 2:30 o'clock Wednesday afternoon with Rev. Jacob Nein of the Lusk Congregational Church officiating. The songs, "Beautiful Isle of Somewere," "Old Rugged Cross" and "In the Garden," were sung by the Congregational Church Choir with Mrs. Jane Bardo accompanying at the chapel organ.

By his request, casket bearers were his five sons and one grandson.

BORN IN IOWA
James W. Christian, the son of Andrew and Catherine Christian, was born Apr. 8, 1885 near Greenfield in Adair County, Ia. At the age of 4 he moved with his family to the Pleasant Ridge community. There he grew to young manhood. His education was received in the schools of that community.

On Apr. 10, 1907, he was united in marriage to Nellie ZumBrunnen. To this union eight children were born. The young couple moved immediately following thir marriage to a ranch on Indian Creek. It was here that they reared their family. They endured the many hardships of the pioneer. Mr. Christian was one of the early cattle men of this country and he was a familiar figure in every "round-up" on the range. The family resided on this ranch until the fall of 1936 when they moved to Lusk.

Mr. Christian purchased the Node ranch in 1928 and expended much time and energy in building two of the finest ranches in the county. He later sold the one on Indian Creek, but the Node ranch is still in the families' possession and is operated by John Christian.

"Jim," as he was known by his host of friends, was a man closely identified with keen judgement, unusual business acumen and a desire for progress.

OPENED SALES PAVILION
In March, 1937, he opened the Lusk Sales Pavilion. This grew to be one of Lusk's most thriving business enterprises. He served as county commissioner for 12 years and in the State Senate for one term. For a number of years he served on the Livestock and Sanitary Board.

In recent years, Mr. Christian had abandoned many of his ranch activities and developed a hobby of racing horses, which afforded him much pleasure.

"Jim" was a loving husband and father and a kind neighbor. No favor asked was ever too large or too small for him to extend to his family or friends. He was ever known for his kind heart and ready wit.

During the last year, his health had become increasingly worse and his wife and family utilized every effort to make him happy.

Tuesday Sale Stops Briefly in Tribute to J.W. Christian

Ranchers and stockmen paused Tuesday afternoon in their sale activities to pay tribute to the man who had established the Lusk Sales Pavilion and who had been a leader n livestock activities of this area for many years.

Auctioneer Joe Madden stopped the sale to read "The Cowboy's Prayer" in honor of James W. "Jim" Christian, who died Sunday night, and a moment of silence was held in his honor. Then the sale activities, which had become such a part of his life, continued.

Lusk Free Lance
October 16, 1952
J.W. Christian, Prominent Stockman, Passes Away at Family Home Sunday; Last Rites Held Wednesday Afternoon

A cerebral hemorrhage claimed the life of James W. Christian long-time resident of Niobrara county, on Sunday, October 12th, at 10:00 p.m. o'clock. He had attained the age of 67 years, 6 months and four days. Although Mr. Christian had been in failing health, following a severe illness which he had suffered a year ago, his sudden passing came as a shock to his family and many friends.

He is survived by his wife, Nellie of Lusk, two daughters, Mrs. Blanche Schaefer and Mrs. Edith Culver, both of Lusk and five sons, George of Hat Creek, Wyo., Frank of Lusk, Wyo., John of Node, Wyo., Bruce of Rochester, New York and Charles of Lusk. Also surviving him are sixteen grandchildren and one great grandchild, a brother, Leonard F. of Lusk and a sister, Mrs. Nellie Burke of Alhambra, Calif. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Mrs. Evelyn Knori and a great grandchild, James Disney.

Funeral services were conducted at the Peet chapel at 2:30 o'clock, Wednesday afternoon with Rev. Jacob Nein of the Lusk Congregational church officiating. The songs, "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere," "Old Rugged Cross" and "In the Garden" were sung by the Congregational church choir with Mrs. Gerald Bardo accompanying at the organ.

By Mr. Christian's request, casketbearers were his five sons and one grandson.

James W. Christian, the son of Andrew and Catherine Christian, was born April 8, 1885 near Greenfield in Adair County, Iowa. At the age of four years, he moved with his family to the Pleasant Ridge community. There he grew to young manhood. His education was received in the schools of that community.

On April 10, 1907, he was united in marriage to Nellie ZumBrunnen. To this union, eight children were born. The young couple moved immediately following their marriage to a ranch on Indian Creek. It was here that they reared their family. They endured the many hardships of the pioneer. Mr. Christian was one of the early cattle men of this country and he was a familiar figure in every "round-up" on the range. The family resided on this ranch until the fall of 1936 when they moved to Lusk.

Mr. Christian purchased the Node ranch in 1928 and expended much time and energy in building two of the finest ranches in the county. He later sold the one on Indian Creek, but the Node ranch is still in the families' possession and is operated by John Christian.

"Jim," as he was known by his host of friends, was a man closely identified with keen judgment, unusual business acumen and a desire for progress.

In March, 1937, he opened the Lusk Sales Pavilion. This grew to be one of Lusk's most thriving business enterprises. He served as County Commissioner for twelve years and in the state senate for one term. For a number of years, he served on the Livestock and Sanitary Board.

In recent years, Mr. Christina had abandoned many of his ranch activities and developed a hobby of racing horses, which afforded him much pleasure.

"Jim" was a loving husband and father and a kind neighbor. No favor asked was ever too large or too small for him to extend to his family or friends. He was ever known for his kind heart and ready wit.

During the last year, his health had become increasingly worse and his wife and family utilized every effort to make him happy. Some of them remained constantly by his side.

He too, realized the seriousness of his condition, but he was determined to complete one more worthwhile plan. He began an irrigation project and worked feverishly during the last summer to bring it to completion. However, he did not live to see the fulfillment of his final dream. Death claimed but moments after he had made an inspection of the project and had returned home to plan for the greener meadows that tomorrow would bring.

He answered the Master's call
To dwell in a fairer land;
Where meadows will ever be green,
Nurtured by God's own hand.

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