John E. Michener 1840-1906

MICHENER

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 1/19/2019 at 09:11:30

5 July 1906 - West Branch Times

John E. Michener was born in Belmont county, O., June 5, 1840, and died at his home in West Branch, Ia., June 29, 1906, of the dread disease cancer of the stomach with which he had been afflicted for more than a year.

He removed with his family from Columbiana county, Ohio, in the fall of 1868 and settled near Springdale where he purchased a farm which he owned at the time of his death. He made farming his life business until twelve years ago when he built a very complete and comfortable home in West Branch where he has since resided.

As an evidence of the trust and confidence in his integrity, he was honored by many positions of trust. He was elected for three successive terms to the office of member of the board of supervisors which office he filled with integrity and to the satisfaction of his constituents; he was identified with the organization of the Citizens Savings Bank and was its president for two years. He took an active interest in the cause of education and was for many years a member of the school board at Springdale; he served as mayor of West Branch for two terms and the results of his administration are noticeable in our village.

He always took a lively interest in the cause of progress in his community, in the county and the state, he was broad minded, energetic and firm, yet a liberal citizen, ever ready to answer substantially the call from the needy and oppressed. In his home was where he could be best judged, his kindness, firmness and love were so manifest that to be in it and know about it, gave one the example of almost an ideal home. "Pillow prayers have great power" was an expression of his. His peace of mind, his patience, his trusting faith and his frequent expressions, gave added evidence of his Christian experience. A few days before his death he said "The joy I have must be heavenly peace."

In the death of J. E. Michener the community has lost one of its substantial citizens, the cause of education one of its leading friends, the church one of its most active supporters, and his family a loving and generous husband and father. There remain to mourn his loss, the wife, one daughter and two sons, who will receive the sympathy of a large circle of friends. The funeral was held from the Friends church on Second street Sunday afternoon, interment at the family lot in the beautiful cemetery on the hill.