Cassius Homer McQueen (1852-1928)

MCQUEEN, FORD, MEYERS, MYERS

Posted By: Dorothy Gosse (email)
Date: 12/28/2007 at 15:40:30

Just a few minutes before midnight last night, Homer McQueen died at Mercy Hospital. He had been seriously ill but a few days, having gone to the hospital following an infection from his teeth for an operation. It was found an abscess had formed and extending down from his jaw into the lower part of the neck where a cancerous growth had formed. Radium treatment was administered to him, but it was too late to save his life and he died as stated. Mr. McQueen was one of the mostly highly esteemed men in Oelwein. For years he has been active in the welfare of the community, always taking a lively interest in anything that was for its up-building. He has occupied a position of constable, justice of the peace and chief of police at different times here probably more years than any man who has ever resided here. He was a man of strong convictions and his friendship was always valued as was also his
opinions in matters worth while. He has not been in the best of health since leaving the office of chief of police about two years ago, but he had been able to be about the streets and visiting with his old friends. While it was known that he was quite sick it was not suspected by his friends over the city that the end was so near. The funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon, February 7 at 2:00 from the home and at 2:30 from the Christian Church. A full obituary of this most esteemed man will be given later.

Oelwein Daily Register - February 4, 1928

Cassius Homer McQueen was born in Palermo, Carroll county, Ohio, November 22, 1852 and died at Mercy Hospital in Oelwein February 3, 1928 aged 75 years, two months and eleven days, after a short illness.

When nine years of age he came to Leon, Decatur County, Iowa and later came to Oelwein, being one of the earliest citizens, his parents building the third residence in Oelwein. In 1873 he was united in marriage to Emma Corletta Ford in Oelwein and to this union three children were born. They are Mrs. Ira Meyers of Oelwein, Arthur Ray McQueen of Portland, Oregon and Sebert Clay McQueen residing in Oelwein.

Mr. McQueen in earlier days owned a livery stable with George Kernahan as a partner and in addition bought stock and horses. He has served the city in various capacities, have been constable for several years, justice of the peace and chief of police. He has also acted as judge of the superior court here. Mr. McQueen was always active in the welfare of the community which he had seen grow to its present proportions and always anxious to do his part in developing, improving and making better all that pertained to its welfare and the general welfare of its citizens. As an officer he was always conscientious and ready to fulfill the duties which devolved upon him. After the death of his wife about four years ago, he did not feel like longer remaining in the office of chief of police and he resigned his position against the protests of many who knew his superior qualifications. While not obtrusive in the discharge of his duties, was always determined and the violators knew when he said "Come with me", they might just as well come and argue about it afterwards. He had some experiences of real interest during the earlier days of Oelwein and especially when acting as justice of the peace, the description of which was always most interesting to those who heard him.

Aside from the three children mentioned, he leaves to mourn seven grandchildren and one brother, Webster Benton McQueen of this city. The funeral was held yesterday afternoon at two o'clock from his residence, and at 2:30 at the Christian Church, conducted by Rev. Irving Wade. The burial was in charge of the Masonic lodge of which organization he was long a faithful member. Burial was in Woodlawn and services were attended by a large number of old friends and the local Masonic bodies,
despite the inclemency of the weather.

Oelwein Daily Register - 8 February 1928