Francis M. 'Frank' Harrison (1881 - 1944)

HARRISON, WORTHINGTON, HEALEY

Posted By: Barry Mateer (email)
Date: 1/7/2024 at 13:17:26

May 18, 1944
The Osceola Sentinel
Osceola, Iowa

Francis Marion, son of F.M. and Elizabeth Harrison, was born in Liberty Township, Clarke County, Iowa, May 24, 1881, and passed away at his home in Osceola, Iowa May 14, 1944 at the age of 62 years, 11 months and 14 days, after an illness extending over a period of more than four years, during which time he was confined to his bed.

Marion spent much of his early life on the farm in Liberty township. Other than attending the rural school, he received training at Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa. Thereafter he became a teacher in the rural schools of his home county.

In keeping with his natural patriotism, he answered the call of the President in 1916, enlisting in Co. B. 3rd Iowa Infantry, and was stationed at Brownsville, Texas from July 24, 1916 to February 1, 1917. At the outbreak of the first World War here-enlisted in Co. B. 168th Infantry, Rainbow Division with which unit he served overseas for 19 months, during which service he was wounded May 27, 1918 and again October 11, 1918 and for which he was awarded a silver star and the “Purple Heart.”

As will be remembered, Marion was in the ranks of Co. B. with Isaac Davis, the first Clarke county soldier killed in action for whom the local post was named. As a sequence Marion became the first Commander of that Post.

Marion or “pap” as he was called by his comrades, served as State President of the Iowa Rainbow Veterans Association. He was elected Clerk of the District Court of Clarke County in 1920, in which position he served four years.

As Representative of Clarke County he served in the 41st, 42nd and 42nd Extra Sessions of the General Assembly.

He was a faithful member of the First Methodist church of Osceola, and served that organization in several official capacities, including Superintendent of the Sunday school.

He was united in marriage to Violet Cornell Worthington, October 18, 1921, at Osceola, Iowa, to which union two daughters were born, Frances Violet and Florabelle Marion.

He leaves to mourn his departure, his beloved companion, two daughters aged 15 and 7 years respectively, Mother Cornell, was who was most devoted to him during all the years of his confinement, also two sisters, Dr. B. Ethlyn Healey of Davenport, Iowa, B. Marguerlie Harrison of Woodburn, Iowa and one brother, E. M. Harrison of North Platte, Nebraska, other immediate relatives and a host of friends.

Annals of Iowa, 5358
page 317, Notable Deaths
F. M. HARRISON, farmer, soldier and legislator, died at Osceola, Iowa, in August, 1944; born on a farm in Clarke county, Iowa, where his father had settled in 1856; educated in rural schools and received some college work; taught in rural schools and later actively engaged in farming; enlisted in Co. B, 3rd Iowa infantry called to Mexican border at Brownsville, from July 24, 1916 to February 1, 1917; in World war I enlisted in Co. B 168th Infantry, Rainbow division, went to France and served eighteen months over- seas. Upon his discharge he returned to farming; served as first commander of the American Legion at Osceola; elected clerk of the Clarke county district court in 1920 and served four years; married Violet W. Cornell, October 18, 1921; served as representative from Clarke county in the Forty-first, Forty-second and Forty- second extra session of the General Assembly; a member of the Methodist church and a Republican.

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