Obituary

Robert B. Raines, prominent retired banker, died at the People's Hospital Friday afternoon, October 25, 1940 at 4 o'clock after a month's illness of heart ailment. The body was taken to the Swan & Leytze Funeral Home. Funeral services were held in the First Methodist Church Monday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. The Rev. H. H. Dill officiated, assisted by the Rev. F. H. Weed, Decorah. Mrs. F. A. Barker presided at the organ. Burial was in Oak Grove (Cemetery). The services were very largely attended and the floral offerings were many.

Robert B. Raines, son the Rev. and Mrs. George Raines, was born at Toledo, Iowa on August 15, 1859, fourth in a family of six children, his father and grandfather being ministers. He began teaching school when 16 years old and afterward studied law for two years. He came to Independence in 1878, worked for a time in the office of the Buchanan County Bulletin, for two years in a lumber yard at Rowley. He was deputy clerk of the district court from 1881 to 1882 under O. M. Gillette, then began work as bookkeeper in the First National Bank, became teller in 1888, assistant cashier in 1901, cashier in 1902 and president in 1909, which position he held until 1928, when the bank was reorganized and became the Buchanan County National Bank, Mr. Raines serving as vice president until 1932.

Mr. Raines was wedded October 16, 1884 to Miss Cora Curtis who survives together with a son, Dr. Richard C. Raines, pastor of the Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church, Minneapolis, and daughter, Miss Ruth Raines, of Independence. A son, Robert, and a daughter, Rose, are deceased. There are four grandchildren.

Mr. Raines long had been prominent in affairs of the county, as bank president for many years. He was a leader in the affairs of the First Methodist Church here for many years, held every office in the church, he and Mrs. Raines taking a prominent part in its activities and as musicians of much ability. They never were too busy to sing helpfully at funerals and upon other occasions. He was a trustee of U. I. U., Fayette, for many years; treasurer of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Association for many years; formerly active in the Masonic and K. P. Lodges, and grand master of the exchequer of the K. P. of Iowa for two years. He was a Republican in politics, but never aspired to public office. A man of genuine ability, always cheerful and friendly, he wielded a real influence in local affairs, he lived a long, useful, worthwhile life, and in his death leaves a host of friends, who unite in sympathy to the bereaved family.
Here from away to attend the funeral were: Dr. and Mrs. Richard C. Raines and three sons, Robert, Richard and John, Minneapolis, and daughter, Rose, of DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana; Mr. and Mrs. J. K. Baur, Fremont, Ohio, Mrs. Roy Carr, Mrs. Fred Haberle, Mrs. Maybelle Wells Dingle, Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Raines and daughter, Barbara, Waterloo; Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Miller, Clinton; the Rev. and Mrs. F. H. Weed, Decorah; Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Douglas, Miss Helen Latta, Miss Ellen Munter, Dr. and Mrs. J. Raymond Chadwick, Mrs. M. T. Siberling, Minneapolis; Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Arnold, Mrs. Rodney Miller, Oelwein; Mrs. and Mrs. Lyman Simpson, Cherokee; Mrs. Dickman, President Smith, Mr. Carpenter, Dr. Parker, U.I.U., Fayette.

Dr. and Mrs. Richard C. Raines leave today for their home in Minneapolis, taking Mrs. R. B. Raines to that city for a two weeks' visit.

Submitted by : Carol Morrison

The Bulletin-Journal,
Thursday, October 31, 1940

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