Kenneth MacLean 1840-1925

MACLEAN, RAE, BIXBY, JOHNSTON

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 12/29/2011 at 22:42:14

Kenneth MacLean
The citizens of this city were shocked last Saturday evening by the announcement of the sudden death of Kenneth MacLean, an old resident of this city. Only on Saturday last this familiar face was seen on our streets. He went home and ate a hearty supper. After the supper hour he sat down in the usual place and it was soon noticed he was not feeling well. He had a slight pain in his side and in a few minutes he had passed to that great beyond in the same quiet manner in which he had lived.

He was well known by almost everyone in this city. The children knew and loved him. The older people also knew him and his stories of the sea. Many who have grown up here have sat for hours and listened to his great tales of travel over the seas and in foreign lands. His was a great memory and his descriptive talents made his stories sought after. The following is the obituary used at the services conducted Tuesday afternoon at the Presbyterian church by the Rev. Voorhies:

Born in the Isle of Skye, Scotland on May 8, 1840 (84 years, 11 months and 10 days). Served his apprenticeship in the ship-building yards of Scotland, 7 years, and afterward for 26 years he travelled the seas as a ships carpenter. He traveled mostly in the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean and to South America. He came to this country about 45 years ago and settled in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he resided for four years. He then came to Estherville, which has since been his home. One daughter, Mrs. C.M. Bixby, passed away June 23, 1922. He is survived by Margaret Rae, to whom he was married on October 29, 1906, also by John MacLean, New York City; Neil MacLean, Panama, C.Z.; Mrs. W. E. Johnston, Minneapolis. There are twelve grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Mr. MacLean was a life-long member of the Presbyterian church, to which he was earnestly devoted. His convictions were tenaciously held, and his faith of the kind that waivers not. His was a character of real strength, and in all ways he sought to fashion his life according to the pattern set for us in Christ Jesus. His friendly nature attracted to him many friends, among whom are a large number of children, who not only because of his natural physical likeness, but more because of the real spirit which shone through his kindly eyes from his loving heart, looked upon him as the real Santa Claus. These little ones will long with those of us who had learned to appreciate his great worth as a citizen of our community, feel keenly the loss, and join with deepest sympathy for those who have been closest to him in the home life.

His wide travels and his gift of seeing things worthwhile, made him one with who it was a pleasure to visit. He was interested in all that makes for the betterment of the human family. His voyage has ended, after a life which knew the stress and strain of many a storm. His faith has lead him triumphantly to the wonderful harbor of peace. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, April 22, 1925)

Kenneth MacLean
Kenneth MacLean, for many years a familiar figure in Estherville, passed away at his home Saturday evening, April 18th of heart failure. He had sat down in his chair after eating his supper and was taken suddenly with a heart attack, dying in just a few moments. He had made his home continuously in Estherville for over forty years and there was no one in the community who was any dearer to the hearts of both the young and old of his acquaintance than was Mr. MacLean. [Remainder the same as Estherville Enterprise] (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, April 22, 1925)

Mrs. Neil MacLean came here from Missouri to attend the Kenneth MacLean funeral. Mr. Neil MacLean who is in Panama in the government service was unable to attend the services. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, April 22, 1925)