MAY, George R. 1841-1901

MAY, WALLER

Posted By: Kathy Gerkins (email)
Date: 10/5/2013 at 16:39:41

May, George R.

Shortly after twelve o'clock last night, George R. May passed peacefully away after a long and painful illness of many months duration, the state of unconsciousness in which he had lain for several days prevailing to the end.

Fully nine months ago Mr. May began to fail and for the last nine weeks had been confined to his bed, bearing his sufferings with marked patience, his consideration for his family, relatives and near friends who assisted in caring for him being his chief thought to the very last. This morning Dr. Amos, assisted by Drs. Dennis, Cook and Knickerbocker, of this city, and Dr. Rawlins, of Bassett, made a port mortem examination and the fact was established beyond doubt that the cause of death was malignant cancer of the stomach.

George R. May was born in Platt City, Platt County, Missouri, June 17, 1841. Until he was twenty years of age he lived on the farm owned by his parents. His father Dr. Ware May, came originally from Kentucky, his mother before her marriage was Elizabeth Burnett, of Tennessee. Mrs. May's only brother and his twin, Ben L. May, also a physician, died some eighteen years ago two sons of the latter, George B and B. Wood May, being well known residents of Charles City.

George R. May was educated at the college at Camden Point, Mo., and besides teaching school studied medicine with his father and brother. When the civil war broke out he joined a Missouri Calvary company. After peace was declared he went to California to his uncle, Peter H. Burnett, his mother's brother, who was the first governor of California and president for twenty-five years of the Pacific Bank of San Francisco.

Mr. Burnett secured his nephew a position as bookkeeper with McDonald Brothers wholesale druggists, a place he retained for three and a half years. Then he returned to the family home in Missouri. His father had died and his mother married for a second time, his stepfather's name being Kane. Mr. May had four half brothers and four sisters. Of these two sisters survive him. Mrs. Mary Oreighler, in Cloverdale, Cal., the other Mrs. Williams in Emporia, Kansas; and all four half brothers, Burnett, Frank, Emmet and Henry Kane, one in Missouri, the others in California.

When Mr. May returned to Missouri from California he met Miranda J. Waller whose family had moved to Missouri from Illinois, and the two were married in Platt County, Nov. 9, 1869, by the Rev. Mode of Leavenworth City, Kan. The young couple removed to Charles City that year and made this place their permanent home.

Of the six children born them three are living - Glenn B., H. Clyde and Nellie.

Mr. May went into the drug business here the year after his arrival with Mr. Hulbert. During the next fifteen years the firm name changed to May and Howard, May and Crane, May and Carr, the last two firms having changed from drugs to groceries and crockery.

He also was mayor four years, justice of the peace several terms and city assessor ten years, having been re-elected only this spring for another two years term.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge from early manhood and belong to the St. Charles Lodge of this city as well as the Excelsior Chapter No. 51 of the Eastern Star.

There will be simple services at the late home tomorrow afternoon at three o'clock for the immediate relatives, and the funeral will be held at 3:30 at the Methodist church of which he was a member. Dr. Bissell will officiate, a male quartette furnishing the music. The Masons and Eastern Star members will attend in bodies and have charge of the services at the grave.

Interment will be made Riverside Cemetery.
Universal regret met the news of the death of George R. May for he was one of the most widely known and best like men in Charles City, his cheery, kindly nature, uprightness and honesty making him firm friends in every direction. He was a Christian man and a church member from boyhood and he lived according to his faith. As husband, father and citizen he was universally admired and respected and his death is a loss to the community as well as to his family.

Charles City newspaper clipping from Floyd County Museum.

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