ALEXANDER, Malvina L. 1868–1938

ALEXANDER, CANON, POMEROY

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler, Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/3/2013 at 15:18:16

Mrs. Frank Alexander Succumbed Suddenly After Brief Illness

Sunday morning the Conrad community was shocked to hear of the sudden death of one of its true pioneer residents, Mrs. F. W. Alexander, which had occurred during the night following an illness of only a few hours.

Melvina L. Canon, daughter of John H. and Lovina Pomeroy Canon, was born on a farm in the grove south of Conrad, Iowa on February 13, 1868, and spent her entire life in this community. One of a family of nine children, she received her education in the country schools and graduated from the old Albion Seminary. She taught in country schools a few terms and came to Conrad as the first primary teacher in their school system.

On August 28, 1889, she was united in marriage with Francis W. Alexander at Conrad, and had she been spared a year and a few months longer, would have celebrated the Golden Wedding Anniversary. To this union were born three children, a daughter Anna Lovina, who died in infancy, and two sons, Herbert Ward of Thornton, and John Francis of Conrad. She also leaves to mourn her passing four grandsons, one brother, Sylvester Canon of Des Moines, and a niece, Mrs. Alva Cooper of Conrad, who made her home with the Alexanders during her girlhood.

Mrs. Alexander took an active part in many organizations in the community up to the time of her death. A charter member of the St. Elmo Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, a charter member of the Woman’s Club, and a member of the Methodist Church and its societies, she gave freely of her time and talents. A wonderful homemaker, wife and mother, she will be greatly missed by her relatives and many friends.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday afternoon with a short prayer services for the relatives at the home at 1 o’clock, followed by a service at the Methodist church at 2 o’clock which was in charge of Rev. R. A. Hallett. Burial was made on the Alexander lot in the Conrad cemetery.

Pall bearers were John R. Gier, W. H. Draper, H. E. Frederick, John Conrad, C. C. Belz and Fred Keohler, of Liscomb. The flower bearers were Mrs. Paul Franzenburg, Mrs. W. E. Clayman, Mrs. E. F. Thorman and Mrs. Hamer Neff of Beaman. Mesdames Ben Frederick, C. D. Newton and G. R. Gould sang trio arrangements of “Goin’ Home” and “Lead Kindly Light,” with Mrs. F. J. Dostal at the piano.

Relatives from out of town in attendance at the services were: Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Alexander and three sons of Thornton; Harry Alexander of Thompson; Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Alexander, Union; Mrs. Frank Cottrell, Iowa Falls; Harry Mervice, Dale Canon, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Moore and Mrs. Buchwald of Marshalltown; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Todd, Mr. and Mrs. Art Ruxton and Mr. and Mrs. John Wood of Eldora; Mrs. Jack Dummins of Morning Sun; Miss June Cooper of Grundy Center; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Koehler and Kenneth of Liscomb and Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Bartholomew of Grundy Center.

Source: Unknown newspaper clipping found in scrapbook belonging to my great grandmother.