Mc Achran, William H

MCACHRAN, GIBBONS, GREENLEAF, SHAEFFER, BURCHETT, TINUS, CLAYTON

Posted By: Vicki D Houk (email)
Date: 2/16/2021 at 11:16:24

Mc Achran, William H. was born at Shelbyville, Illinois, in November, 1847, and came with his parents to Bloomfield when but 6 months old. When a lad of seventeen he entered the drug store of A. D. Gibbons as a clerk. Later he became a partner, and the firm name of Gibbons & McAchran was a household word even after the death of Mr. Gibbons about ten years ago. After the death of his partner Mr. Mc Achran purchased the interest of senior partner and conducted the business himself until his death.
As a citizen of Bloomfield and Davis county he was always an active participant in the religious, political and commercial interests. He was one of the charter members of the First Universalist church of this city when it was organized in 1872, and during the time the society existed in the city, he was a prominent and valued member. Being a man of sober and industrious habits, he was a strong supporter of the temperance cause in the city and state up until the cause became a political issue and was settled through legislation recently. Politically, he was a counseled member of the republican party, and his election in 1895 as a member of the Twenty-sixth general assembly and the extra session of 1897, proved the estimation of the electorate in this county.
While in legislature he fathered the bill which provided that a fire insurance policy could not be taken out for more than the actual valuation of the property insured, which bill is a part of the present insurance law of the state.
As a business man he was highly respected and admired for his staunch principles and dealings. After the death of the late J. R. Sheaffer he was the oldest business man in the city, having been in business over 52 years.
After the death of Dr. D. C. Greenleaf, twenty years ago, he was chosen president of the Board of Regents of the Southern Iowa Normal, and held that position at the time of his death. His interest in the school was felt many times when the institution seemed destined for closing, but recognizing the influence and worth of such an institution he with others saved it to the city and county. His passing will be regretted in many ways by the citizens of the community.

Besides his wife he leaves two daughters. Mrs. Mary Tinus of this city, and Mrs. E. D. Burchett of Waco, Texas.

NOTE: His wife was Flora Josephine Clayton of Davis County, Iowa married in 1872

SOURCE: Obituary in Bloomfield Democrat, Thursday April 27, 1917