Charles L. Surprise (1884-1959)

circa 1906

Charles L. SURPRISE was born on 11 Nov 1884 in Lowell. According to Gran (Ida Surprise), Charles and Susan had no children. They wanted to adopt Harry (Ernie and Lola's boy). They [the Ernest Surprises] had ten children, and Charles wanted their youngest. Lola wouldn't hear of parting with one of her kids.

He (Charles L. Surprise] died on 1 Jan 1959 in Hammond, IN. He was buried on 3 Jan 1959 in Oak Hill Cemetery, Hammond, IN.

The image of an unidentified clipping from a book or newspaper also appeared on this CD:

Charles L. Surprise, deputy clerk of the United States District and Circuit Courts at Hammond, Ind., was born near Lowell on Nov. 11, 1884. During his infancy his parents, Oliver and Carlinda Surprise, moved to town, where they still reside. In 1903 he was graduated from the Lowell high school; the same year he won the county oratorical contest at Hammond, gaining honors for himself and his school. The following fall he attended Northwestern University. Then he clerked and studied law in Atty S.C. Dwyer's office until his appointment in August, 1906, to deputyship at Hammond. Mr. Surprise is also an employee of Knotts & Bomberger, corporation lawyers of Hammond. He is an active member of the M.E. Church, a Republican, and in good favor with his wide acquaintance in the county.

Charles L. Surprise, 74, Lowell Native, Dies

Charles L. Surprise, 74, died New Year's Day at his home, 41 Ruth St., Hammond. He had been seriously ill for five days.

A prominent Hammond attorney, Mr. Surprise was a member of one of Lake County's first families. He was born Nov. 11, 1884, northeast of Lowell in the community now known as Lake Dalecarlia. His parents were Oliver E. and Carlinda (Thompson) Surprise. Oliver, a Civil War veteran, farmed land homesteaded by his parents, Peter and La Rose (Taylor) Surprise, who settled here in 1834. Both were natives of Canada. The Surprises' contribution to the progress of pioneer Lake county is recorded in its earliest history by the Rev. T.H. Ball.

Charles was graduated from Lowell high school with the class of 1903. He went to Hammond in 1905 as a deputy clerk of the District Court and after obtaining his degree in law, he served as referee in bankruptcy, United States District Court for a number of years in addition to private practice. For 12 years he was trustee in the Woodmar Realty Co. bankruptcy, still pending in the U.S. District Court after 18 years of litigation.

Mr. Surprise was an active member of the Chicago Temple First Methodist Church where for more than 20 years he had been co-teacher of a Sunday school class with the renowned Dr. George W. Crane. He was a member of Garfield Lodge 569, F. & A.M. For many years he had served on the board of directors of the Methodist hospital, Gary, to which he contributed substantial financial support. His civic interests were innumerable.

Survivors include his wife, Susan (Bomberger); one sister, Mrs. Hermie Tilman of Long Island, New York; one brother, Ernest A. of Lowell; and several nieces and nephews.

Private memorial services were held at 2 p.m. Jan. 3, in the Emmerling Funeral Chapel, 6020 Hohman Ave., Hammond, with the Rev Morgan Williams of Chicago Temple First Methodist Church officiating. Burial was in Oak Hill cemetery, Hammond.

Charles L. Surprise, Neil Love and Mrs. and Mrs. Harold Love, also Roger Surprise of Chicago, attended memorial services held in Hammond Saturday for their uncle, Charles L. Surprise.