Edwin McClellan 1906-1924

MCCLELLAN, STEWART, OHL, CHERRY

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 7/18/2018 at 15:12:00

30 October 1924 - West Branch Times

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Even with the beautiful Autumn weather and excellent road conditions, Death stalks the highways and claimed as its victim Sunday evening Edwin McClellan, one of our promising young men.

The accident occurred on the road west of town near the Albin home, at about 3:00 o'clock, and the young man's death was probably instantaneous.

It is thought that the lights of an approaching car blinded him, and his car, running too close to the ditch, turned over and pinned him and his companion, Miss Lucille Moore, beneath the machine.

The girl's screams reached the Albin families and they went at once to the roadside. Other help had also arrived and when the car was lifted Edwin's lifeless body was removed. First aid measures were used in the hopes of reviving some spark but without avail. Death had evidently come instantly, perhaps by strangulation from the weight of the car. No bones were broken and there was no disfigurement.

Lucille, who is the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Moore, was scalded on one shoulder and was bruised and of course terribly shocked. She is recovering as well and as rapidly as possible.

The accident is particularly sad. Edwin was eighteen years old and grew to manhood in West Branch under the care of his grandmother, Mrs. Mattie Stewart, who was a mother to him and her tragic death last February, as a result of burns received from an oil stove, left him saddened and alone. He lived for a time with his cousin, Alfred C. Ohl, at this place, and his home recently has been with his cousin, Eugene Cherry, of Iowa City, whose auto it was that figured in the fatal accident.

Edwin was a member of the graduating class of 1924, of the West Branch schools. He was of a quiet, reserved disposition, but popular with his schoolmates and he was prominent in athletics, especially in football.

Funeral services were held at the Friends church Tuesday afternoon. The High School Boys Glee Club, friends of the deceased, furnished the music and six of his classmates acted as pallbearers. A profusion of lovely flowers showed the sympathy which the community extended. Rev. Wilson and Rev. Barrett conducted the services.

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Edwin McClellan was born in Illinois April 13, 1906. His mother having died at the time of his birth, his grandmother, Mrs. Mattie M. Stewart, took him into her affectionate care from infancy and in her home he grew to young manhood.

Following the death of his grandmother only last February, he made his home here in West Branch with his cousin, Alfred C. Ohl, and family for a few months.

This past summer he has made his home with another cousin, Eugene Cherry of Iowa City, having had employment in recent weeks with the Iowa City Produce Co.

When but ten years of age he came with his grandmother into membership of the Friends church, by letter of transfer from the Presbyterian. Here he attended Sunday school and church most of his life. He has attended school always in West Branch, graduating in the class of 1924.

He was killed by an auto accident near West Branch on Sunday evening, Oct. 26, 1924.

Funeral services were conducted Tuesday afternoon in the Friends church by Rev. W. H. Wilson, assisted by Rev. L.H. Barrett. The music was by the Boys' Glee Club, under the direction of Mrs. Millen, with Dorothy Enlow at the piano. Six of his classmates, Glenn Irey, Cecil Carey, John Christee, Ernest Hayslett, Lewis Kinsey and George Areingdale, served as pallbearers. The funeral was very largely attended and the wealth of flowers bore a silent tribute of the esteem in which he was held by the community. Interment was made in the West Branch cemetery.