John STRANAHAN

STRANAHAN, GILLAM, UNDERHILL, BULLOCK, SWAN, CHAMBERS, CARMEN, MCCALLUM, KILLINGSWORTH, PARKER

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 11/22/2010 at 02:19:24

Ringold Record
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa

DEATH of AGED CITIZEN

John STRANAHAN Passes Away at Age of Ninety-one Years.

John STRANAHAN, one of the old citizens and probably the oldest man in the county, passed away Wednesday morning, January 15, 1908, aged 91 years and three days -- a good old age indeed. Mr. STRANAHAN was born in Columbus, Ohio, December 12, 1817, and passed his early youth in that county. In 1840, when the tide of moving people went to Indiana seeking new homes, the STRANAHAN family moved to that state and settled near Delphi, in Carroll county, and made a home in the deep forest. They assisted in organizing churches all around them and helped the churches to make possession of the land.

In 1842 he was united in marriage to Miss Charity GILLAM. To them were born three daughters, Mrs. Jane UNDERHILL, of Medord, Okla.; Mrs. N. P. BULLOCK, of Stillwater, Okla.; and Mrs. Belle SWAN, who passed away two or three years ago.

The mother passed away in 1846.

In 1849, Mr. STRANAHAN was again united in marriage to Miss Eliza J. CHAMBERS, and to them were born eight children, five daughters and three sons. One daughter, Mrs. Enos CARMEN lives at Butte, Mont., another daughter, Mrs. Anna McCALLUM, lives at Macky, Idaho, Mrs. D. H. KILLINGSWORTH at Clarinda and Mrs. N. A. PARKER in Mt. Ayr. One son, W. F. STRANAHAN lives at Wakeeney, Kan., and Charles G. is serving in a clerkship in the house of representatives at Washington, D.C. A son and daughter passed away early in life.

All of the children were present at the funeral except Mrs. CARMEN and Mrs. McCALLUM, who could not be present owing to the long distance they lived from here.

In the fall of 1857, Mr. STRANAHAN moved his family to Iowa and soon moved to Ringgold county and bought a farm south of Mt. Ayr and lived there many years. The past ten or twelve years has been spent to pleasant retirement in Mt. Ayr.

Early in life Mr. STRANAHAN had been trained in the ways and principles of the M.E. church and early associatied himself with that church. As a youth and a young man, he was an earnest professing christian and walked steadily in the ways of the christian life. He took an active part in laying the foundations of the M.E. church of Delphi and Pittsburg, Ind. He was a bold teacher and examplar in all church and temperance work. Here his faith failed not and his efforts never flagged. He always seeed anxious to be on the side of right and good with the best people in all the christian denominations. He had charity for human weakness and infirmity, but no patience with wrong and injustice.

Mr. STRANAHAN leaves his wife, aged 83 years and in a feeble state of health, waiting for her change to come. They observed their golden wedding several years ago.

The funeral took place from the M.E. church on Friday, January 17th at 2 p.m. and was conducted by his pastor, Rev. W. E. HARDAWAY, assisted by Rev. J. H. TEDFORD.

Mr. STRANAHAN took a lively interest in all public matters in the last and set a good example to all in industry and a pleasant manner of life. He grew old pleasantly and passed calmly away.

* * * * *

Friday, January 17.
C. G. STRANAHAN arrived this morning from Washington, D. C. to attend the funeral of his father.

Mr. and Mrs. W. F. STRANAHAN of Wakeeney, Kan., came last evening, called here by the death of his father, John STRANAHAN.

Mrs. D. H. KILLINGSWORTH and son Zell, of Clarinda, came Thursday to be present at the funeral of her father, John STRANANHAN.

NOTE: Eliza Jane (CHAMBERS) STRANAHAN was born in Greene County, Ohio, March 5, 1825 She died at the age of 83 years on April 23, 1908 at Mount Ayr, Iowa. John and Eliza's daughter Idella was born circa 1859 in Iowa, and died August 18, 1862, Mount Ayr, Iowa. John, Eliza, and Idella were interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Iowa.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, November of 2010