William Levi McCown, 1843-1930

MCCOWN, MENDENHALL

Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 1/24/2012 at 17:32:54

Wm. L. McCown Called By Death
William L. McCown, resident of Spencer and Clay county for the past 44 years, died at his home, 145 West Second street, Spencer, Saturday evening, March 22, after a long illness. His death occurred quietly at eight o'clock, just eight days before his eighty-seventh birthday anniversary. He had been in poor health for three years, and had been bedfast for two years following an illness of double pneumonia.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at two o'clock in chapel of the Cobb Funeral home. Rev. Benjamin J. Trickey, pastor of the First Congregational church of Spencer officiated at the services, which were very impressive and beautiful. Mrs. Claude Pullen and Mrs. F. J. Konsella sang two numbers, "My Jesus as Thou Wilt," and "Abide With Me," accompanied at the piano by Mrs. Randall M. Tuttle. The pall bearers were N. A. Funk, Homer E. Pitcher, C. S. Weaver, Fred Nelson, H. J. Buck and J. R. McKee. Interment was made in Riverside cemetery at Spencer.

William Levi McCown, son of William M. and Anna McCown, was born in Preble county, Ohio, March 30, 1843. At the age of five years, he moved with his parents to Rochester, Indiana, and later they removed to Henry county, Illinois. While here he enlisted in company E, Eighteenth Illinois Infantry of the Union army.

At the close of the war Mr. McCown moved to Jasper county, Iowa, and on November 20, 1869, was united in marriage to Anna L. Mendenhall. Mr. and Mrs. McCown pioneered in Nebraska and South Dakota, and in 1886 they came to Clay county, locating in Clay township where they farmed for a number of years. After residing near Peterson, Mr. and Mrs. McCown came to Spencer in 1900 which had since been their home.

Mrs. McCown preceded her husband in death December 14, 1922. A daughter also preceded him in death.

Serving as Clay county recorder for twenty years, Mr. McCown was well known and esteemed by many in Spencer and vicinity. He never failed to do his part in citizenship, and was a man of good business integrity, enjoying the confidence and good will of the community.

He was a charter member of the Grand Army Post of Peterson, and when he later moved to Spencer he transferred it to the Annett post here. He was also a member of the A. O. U. W. lodge for many years. He joined the Congregational church at Spencer in 1909.

He is survived by seven children, five daughters and two sons, namely, Mrs. Anna Underwood of Peterson, Mrs. Mabel Blackmer of Royal, Mrs. Nellie Langworthy of Baker, Oregon. Miss Ora V. McCown at home, Mrs. Mary Campbell of Spencer, W. Verne McCown of Des Moines and Clifford G. McCown of Spencer, also seven grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and one brother, the Rev. D. S. McCown of Knoxville, Illinois. All of the children were present with their father upon his death, and all remained for the funeral rites.

Source: The News-Herald, Spencer, Clay County, Iowa; March 27, 1930.

Interment in Riverside cemetery
 

Clay Obituaries maintained by Kris Meyer.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen