Joseph Rankin McBride (1933)

MCBRIDE, BARNETT, WILSON, MURRAY, GIBBONS, BRENNAN

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler, Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/10/2015 at 13:28:47

Earlham Echo – Earlham, Iowa
March 2, 1933

Joseph Rankin McBride, son of Joseph and Elizabeth Ann McBride, was born near Peking, Taswell County, Illinois, on June 24th, 1857. He was the youngest, and last surviving member of a family of eight, and when thirteen years old came to Dexter with his mother and brother. He spent all but sixteen of the remaining years of his life in and around Dexter; the last sixteen years he spent at his home near Earlham, Iowa, where he passed away on February 24, 1933 aged seventy-five years and eight months.

In 1885 he married Myra Ella Barnett, and to them two children were born, a daughter Carrie and a son who died in infancy. Myra died in 1889. Mr. McBride was married to Ida Wilson in November 1896 and to this union were born two sons and four daughters: Claude, Flossie, Ruby, Grace, Myrtle and Joseph. Mr. McBride was a very quiet, unassuming man, yet friendly and kind. He was a good neighbor, always willing to do more than his share and glad to be of service. The community respected him and those who knew him best testify to his honesty and fairness. A man of good habits, he set a splendid example, no one ever heard him use profane or abusive language; he was industrious and a good business man, and in these trying days he had kindly consideration for those with whom he dealt, remembering the Golden Rule and believing its teaching. He was a “home man.” He rather enjoyed visiting, for a day now and then, but when evening came he loved to return to the shelter of his own home there to enjoy his family and friends.

Because his home meant so much to him he wanted to share its hospitality, and welcomed therein a young, homeless lad, Charles Coulter, of Dexter, who resided there till he established a home of his own. In return for this kindness Charlie has returned often, and especially in the last three months, and helped to care for his benefactor.

Mr. McBride’s splendid disposition, his consideration for others and his desire for right and peaceful living were traits which made up his Christian character, nor did these fail him during his last sickness. Then as always, he thought of others, and was deeply concerned about the comfort of all those who cared for him. No doubt there were times when his sickness brought suffering, but he did not complain and tried to be helpful to the very end. Willing hands of loving wife and family tried to keep him here for they always felt the need of his good council and guidance, but the Heavenly Father deemed it best to take this earthly Father to that Home prepared for those who love Him.

Mourning for the loss of this loving husband and father are the wife, Ida McBride; the family: Carrie Murray of Council Bluffs, Claude, Flossie, Grace, and Joseph of Earlham, Ruby Gibbons of Adel and Myrtle Brennan of Carlisle. There are six surviving grandchildren, two preceeded him in death, and many other relatives and friends.

Those attending the funeral of J. R. McBride were: Miss Gladys McBride, Mr. and Mrs. J. D. McBride and Mr. and Mrs. Clare McBride of Stuart, Mr. and Mrs. Otis McBride and son Marvin, Mr. and Mrs. George Meisenheimer and son, Bertie McBride of Greenfield, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Coulter, Mrs. Gerald Wells, Mrs. John Love, Mrs. Leo Fortin, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Hemphill of Dexter; Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Murray of Council Bluffs; Mr. and Mrs. Leo Brennan and son of Hartford.