Obituary:
Lemuel Langstaff Test
Spouse: Catherine Cook
Born: January 27, 1863
Died: November 29, 1933
Publication: Pasadena (Calif) Star-News
Date:
LOVED MASON IS CALLED BY DEATH
L.L. Test, 33rd Degree, Pioneer, Is Mourned
WAS RESIDENT OF CITY 46 YEARS
Took Active, Useful Part in Civic Affairs
Lemuel Langstaff Test, for fortysix years a resident of Pasadena, who, during his long and useful life held to the tenet that friends are man's greatest asset, died here this morning at 10:20 o'clock. He had been in failing health for nearly a year.
Mr. Test served with judgment and consideration in many civic and fraternal capacities during his career as a business man and friend to thousands. A thirty-third degree Mason, he was for years one of the leaders of Masonry in California, and had served as chaplain of the Grand Lodge. He was at one time director of the Board of Trade, and of the Y.M.C.A. and a member of the Rotary, Pasadena Athletic and Pasadena Golf Clubs. A lover of flowers, he was an ardent advocate of home gardening.
Surviving Mr. Test are his widow, Catherine M., two children, Marjorie Test Loomis, of Palo Alto and Lawrence C. Test, 360 South Oakland avenue, local architect; two grandchildren, Frederick C. Loomis Jr., and Catherine D. Loomis; three sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Hall, Mrs. Emma Pierpont and Mrs. Sarah Edgerton, and a brother, Daniel D. Test, all of Philadelphia. Funeral arrangements wait on arrival from Palo Alto of Mrs. Loomis.
Family Survives Mr. Test's ancestors were prominent in the Society of Friends in Pennsylvania. One of them, John Test, served as the first sheriff of Pennsylvania under William Penn. Mr. Test's father and mother were Zaccheus and Drusilla Test of Philadelphia. He was born January 27, 1863.
Coming to Pasadena in 1887, he entered the grocery business, his store being located on Colorado street between Raymond and Fair Oaks avenue. He relinquished this work in 1902 to go into the insurance business. At one time he was a director of the Security Trust and Savings Bank.
From early manhood Mr. Test was identified with Masonry, serving a year as inspector of this district. He advanced steadily in the ranks. On December 12, 1931, he was coronated a thirty-third degree Mason. Mr. Test was member of the Pasadena Presbyterian Church, which he joined soon after coming to Pasadena.
During his long and active career, Mr. Test made a marked impress on the life of Pasadena. He served countless hundreds in a business way and inspired great respect because of his conscientious attention to the rights of his clients. The soul of punctuality, he brought to this fraternal work the same meticulous attention to duty which marked his every act. Conspicuous in public affairs, yet never partisan to the point of unfairness, he was a backer of and a worker for scores of ambitious plans for the advancement of Pasadena.
Made Impress Here
Friendliness Marked Work of L.L. Test Paying tribute to the life of Lemuel Langstaff Test, pioneer resident, Dr. Robert Freeman, pastor, Pasadena Presbyterian Church, yesterday afternoon spoke of him at the final rites as "a friend in his home, church, business, and fraternity."
Friends Bow in Honor At Final Services
Before a large congregation of friends of the late business leader, Mason and Rotarian, Dr. Freeman, Dr. Leslie Learned, rector, All Saints Episcopal Church, and Dr. James L. Leishman, assistant pastor, Presbyterian Church, conducted the service.
Widely Mourned Dr. Learned pronounced the closing prayer.
Of Mr. Test's life, Dr. Freeman said, "there are no more fitting words as an epitaph for his tomb than, 'he was a friend.' He had a unique endowment of friendliness. His art of being liked is to be envied. In his life he showed how it can be done.
"Time after time, he stood in the vestibule of the church to welcome strangers. He will be missed in his church, home, business, and fraternity."
Corona Lodge of Masons conducted Masonic rites. Walter Kress pronounced the service. A.G. Marcus, grand master, was in charge.
Masonic Ritual Mr. Test, long prominent in Masonry, was district inspector for eighteen years. Mr. Kress stated his passing is a distinct loss to the lodge and to Masonry.
A white lamb skin apron of the lodge, symbolizing the eternal was placed on the casket covered with red and white flowers. The alter also was banked in flowers.
Interment was private at Mountain View. Turner and Stevens, funeral directors, were in charge.