GRAVES, John 1910-1930

GRAVES

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 5/9/2015 at 07:33:08

John Graves Meets Tragic End In Auto Accident

Collision Occurred When Passing Car On Way To Cedar Rapids

Death Believed Due To Nervous Shock

Merle Smith Who Was With John Was Injured But Not Seriously

John Graves died early Saturday afternoon as the result of a shock sustained in an automobile accident which took place a mile south of the gas station at the intersection of 59 and 90 shortly after noon Saturday. John and Merle Smith were on their way to Cedar Rapids to attend a football game. They were driving Merle Smiths Essex roadster. While passing a Chevrolet car driven by Otto Hoepner, living near Gladbrook, the rear of the Smith car struck the hub cap or fender of the Hoepner car in passing. The contact threw the Smith car out of control and it is believed that it turned over. Both of the boys were thrown out. John was on one side of the car and Merle was on the other side. John was able to get up and to walk to where Merle was lying unconscious but the effort to walk took the last of his strength and he crumbled up and fell at Merles side and passed into semi-unconsciousness from which he did not revive. Merle regained consciousness within a short time.

The accident happened near the Catholic church and the Thornton farm and help from these places came within a few minutes after the accident. The boys were taken to Waterloo at once. John breathed his last a few moments after he reached the hospital. It was believed at first that death resulted from an internal hemorrhage. This later was found not to be the cause and as there were no external bruises the conclusion is that death was due to the shock as the boy was hurled from the car.

Johns body was brought to the home of the bereaved family in Lincoln township Saturday evening. Merle was taken to the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Smith. He received a severe bruise on the head and on one leg. These injuries added to the nervous shock has since kept him confined to his home.

The Hoepner car, a Chevrolet, had started to turn east from the primary road at the intersection, which accounted for his car colliding with the Smith car that was passing.

A short account of the life that had such a sudden and tragic ending is given in the obituary prepared by John's pastor, the Rev. K. J. Stratemeier, and published below:

John Graves, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. John H. Graves, was born Aug. 28, 1910, in White, S.D. From there he moved with his parents to Grundy county and grew to manhood helping in the farm work. After completing county schools, he enrolled in the Grundy Center high school, taking a prominent part in all the activities of the school. He brought his course to a successful close with his graduation in 1929. He was enrolled as a member of the Young People's class of our Sunday school.

A fatal automobile accident terminated his promising young life all too quickly when on Saturday, Nov. 8, 1930, he met with sudden death. He attained unto the age of 20 years, 2 months and 10 days. He leaves to mourn his early departure his grief-stricken parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Graves, a brother, Ralph, a sister, Lillian, many other relatives and a host of friends.

What a short biography--what a brief sketch it is--as if it were a sentence incomplete--a weaver's thread suddenly cut off. We humble ourselves in believing submission to our merciful Father in heaven.

Funeral services for the deceased were held Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 12, at the German Presbyterian church. Rev. H. F. Sinning preached a sermon on II Sam. 14:4. Rev. H. N. Gerdes read the Scriptures and offered prayer. Rev. K. J. Stratemeier chose for his text Is. 40:27-31. Interment was made at the Grundy Center cemetery.

Relatives from a distance who attended the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. John Ackerman, Mr. and Mrs. William Newberger, Mrs. Sairbairn and daughter, Marjorie, and Mrs. John Reints of Ridott, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Walter Ackerman of Freeport, Ill.; Ben Ackerman and son Dean of Beloit, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. George Aldericks, Renville, Minn.; Mrs. Donald Stubbs, Nebo, Ill.; Miss Ruth Pabst, Mason City; Mr. and Mrs. George Stevens of Traer, and Mr. and Mrs. Clair Amburn of Waterloo.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 13 November 1930, pg 1