Elmer Michener 1852-1922

MICHENER, SMITH, RORIPAUGH

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 7/7/2018 at 08:45:04

18 January 1923 - West Branch Times

After an illness of several weeks, Elmer Michener of Poe street passed away December 29th in Riverside, Calif., at the Community hospital, where he had been taken early in his illness in the hope that he might be successfully operated upon. His condition was not such, however, that this could be done, nor was he able as had hoped, to be brought home.

Elmer Michener, son of Kinsey and Rachel Smith Michener, was born near Freeport, Harrison county, Ohio, May 7, 1852. He lived in Ohio until he was thirteen years of age, when with his parents he moved to Cedar county, Iowa. He resided in Polk county, Nebraska, for a time and again returned to Iowa.

He was married on Feburary 3, 1876, in Guernsey county, Ohio, to Mary H. Smith, going a month thereafter to Iowa, where they resided until October 23, 1886, at which time they arrived in Elsinore, where Mr. Michener came to lead the Lakeshore band, and with the exception of two years spent in San Jacinto, where he organized an orchestra, he has since resided in this city.

On August 14, 1901, he was married to Mrs. Alice J. Roripaugh, who with their young daughter, Alice, survives him. He is also survived by a brother, William G. Michener, of San Bernadino.

Always interested in music, he was a band and orchestra leader of note for many years.

In 1887 he joined the K.P. lodge and was, at the time of his death, a member of the organization.

He passed away at the Community hospital in Riverside Friday morning, December 29, at 8:30 o'clock, from cancer of the bowels, at the age of 70 years, 7 months and 22 days.

His death takes from this community another of the few remaining pioneers who, in the last year or two, have one by one passed from us.

He will be remembered by a large circle of friends here and elsewhere and will be remembered in his home as a most devoted husband and father.

Largely attended funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at two o'clock in the Methodist Episcopal church, Rev. Harry Branton reading the service.

A quartet sang, "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere" and "Lead Kindly Light," while the K.P. lodge had charge at the grave.

Great quantities of beautiful flowers, bouquets and floral pieces from various organizations and friends, were banked about the casket.

W. G. Michener, a brother of the deceased, Mr. and Mrs. C. S. Hollingsworth of San Bernadino and Glenn Hollingsworth of Redlands, together with Clinton A. White and family and other Riverside friends of the deceased attended the funeral.