Frank McMaster, died 1894

MCMASTER

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 3/27/2011 at 05:05:09

Frank McMaster, of West Union, is dead. A dispatch was received from New Albin by his father Monday morning giving the sad announcement of his death. Frank was the son of Sam and Ellen McMaster and was born and grew up in West Union.

He was an honest and industrious boy and young man, thoroughly well informed in history of which he was a great reader. Sometime since he was employed in a drug store at Ft. Madison and by hard study and close application to business received a certificate as a registered pharmacist when only about 18 years old.

Several months ago he obtained a situation in a drug store at New Albin in Allamakee county. Less than one month ago he was married to one of the most estimable young ladies of that place. At the time of his death Frank was not yet 21 years of age. His death so sudden and unexpected is a severe affliction to his relatives and friends.

Personally we knew Frank McMaster almost as a brother. We were neighbor boys together, went to school together, played and quarreled with each other and grew to manhood side by side. Now that he is no more the thought of him takes our memory back to happy, careless childhood, to the play ground and study room at school, the swimming hole, the woods and fields, the early morning starts for fishing, when the dew sparkled on the grass wetting and smarting our bare feet and we, with all nature, were light-hearted, and free from care and trouble. Of the evening returns, trudging along, tired and hungry, but happy. Later, boys older, planning for the future, with study and work, but with little conception of the trials, disappointments and sorrows in store for us. Then, as men, friends, with vocations and interests far apart, but always friends. With these thoughts and recollections coupled with the fact of his premature death, we grieve for him as for a brother.

He was always honest, upright, kind hearted and true in friendship. As a boy he excelled in his studies through ability and application, as a man he was respected and held the confidence of his business associates and all who knew him. For his relatives, his father and mother and his young wife we are truly sorry.

~Elgin Echo, November 8, 1894