LYNN, William R., Dr. 1875-1918

LYNN, WILSON

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 12/11/2016 at 09:21:47

Dr. W. R. Lynn Called After A Brief Illness

The Entire Community Shocked by the Death of One of Grundy's Foremost Citizens

Prominent In All Public Affairs

A Leader in Every Movement for the Community's Good and Will Be Greatly Missed

The whole community was saddened Sunday morning when they heard that Dr. W. R. Lynn had suffered that morning a severe hemorrhage from ulcer of the stomach and was in a very serious condition, as previous to that he had been suffering with the influenza.

All that medical skill could do was done, the doctor also putting up a splendid fight of resistance, but the combination was too great and at ten minutes of twelve Monday night he passed away.

No man will be more greatly missed in Grundy Center than Dr. W. R. Lynn. He was one of the greatest boosters the town ever had. Nothing that was for the betterment of the community ever came up but it had his hearty support and quite frequently he was the man that originated the improvement.

For four years he served the town as its chief executive, and it was during one of his terms as mayor and largely through his personal influence that the city sewerage system was introduced and put through. Also during his last term in office he got into touch with the Carnegie Library Association and was largely instrumental in our Library being built. He was one of the first men appointed as a member of the Library Board, remaining a member until his death.

When the Commercial Club was organized a few years ago he was unanimously and enthusiastically chosen as its first president and has been prominently identified with its activities ever since.

Not only did Dr. Lynn fill a large place in the town's life in a business and executive way, but also in social and church life of the community. He was a member of the Blue Lodge A.F. & A.M., of the Commandry, Shriners and Consistory, being a 32nd degree Mason. He was also a member of Spartacus Lodge No. 236 K. of P.

As we look over his life from the commercial and social view, we must say that his was an active life, but just actively and possibly a little more so do we find him in his church life.

During the ministry of Rev. W. H. Pilot, he became identified with the First Baptist church of this place. For three years he served as superintendent of the bible school. During a number of years he was also a teacher of the boys and young men's class.

In 1912 he was elected treasurer of the church, continually holding that office from then until his passing away. He has served during the past year as a member of the present building committee, of the new and beautiful edifice being erected in the place of the one destroyed by fire last December.

Not only was Dr. Lynn liberal with his time and talent for the advancement of the church's life but was also liberal with his means as no call was ever made but he was one of the first and most liberal in responding.

Dr. Lynn was one of the best hearted men a man could meet, being generous almost to a fault. Many a young person in this and other communities have been assisted by him in their school and college life.

Dr. W. R. Lynn was born Nov. 25th, 1875, at East Lynn, near Bloomfield, Va. He attended Richmond Academy and then the University of Richmond, graduating from the dental department of the same, in the spring of 1896. He immediately came west and entered into practice with his uncle, T. M. Lynn, of this place. That partnership was dissolved two years later, Dr. T. M. retiring from the practice and Dr. W. R. continuing until he had built up one of the largest practices and best equipped offices in the State.

On July the 27th, 1898, he was united in marriage with Maud Orrena Wilson, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Wilson, of this city, whom he leaves to mourn his loss along with three brothers and two sisters, Dr. J. F. Lynn, of Waseca, Minnesota, now a captain in the U.S. medical service in France; Russel Lynn, of Harendon, Va.; Rodney Lynn of Washington, D.C.; Mrs. B. P. Boulware and Mrs. L. T. Marsten, of Richmond, Va.

Thus has closed an active, successful life just in what men call its prime, but to Him who does not count time by months and years it was a finished life. And to that wisdom we bow.

Mr. J. R. Lynn of this city is an uncle to the deceased whose five sons with W. F. Wilson, a cousin of Mrs. Lynn's, acted as pall bearers.

On account of the quarantine a private funeral service was held this afternoon at the home at 2:30 conducted by his pastor, Rev. J. C. Curry.

Out of respect for the deceased the business houses were closed during the funeral hour.

Among those relatives and friends from out of town who attended the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. Clevidence, of Mt. Morris, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. John Fearer, Cedar Falls; Mrs. Cole of Marshalltown; Mrs. Dr. J. F. Lynn, of Waseca, Minn.; Floyd Philbrick, of Cedar Rapids; Mrs. Shindle, of Cedar Rapids, a cousin of Mrs. Lynn, was here Wednesday.

--The Grundy Republican (Grundy Center, Iowa), 21 November 1918, pg 1