Marvel, Charles Wiley (1868-1940)

MARVEL, GAMBREL, WASSON, MITCHELL, STANNERSON, FARMER

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 12/12/2020 at 10:52:00

Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, Iowa, Monday, April 15, 1940

C.W. MARVEL, WIDELY KNOWN RESIDENT, DIES

Funeral Tomorrow Afternoon; Was Auctioneer 36 Years

Charles W. Marvel, 72, a resident of Webster City for 34 years and a widely known auctioneer, died unexpectedly yesterday at 3 a.m. at his home on east Second street, death being caused by a heart attack.

Although Mr. Marvel suffered a slight stroke last fall, he had made satisfactory recovery and the past two weeks had seemed to be in exceptionally good health.

Mr. Marvel with his son, Kenneth H., operated one of the largest livestock sales pavilions in Iowa and Mr. Marvel had been an auctioneer for 36 years. He had spent Saturday afternoon, as usual, at the sales barn.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. tomorrow at the Foster funeral home with Dr. R. T. Chipperfield, of Fostoria, formerly Methodist pastor in this city, officiating. Burial will be made in Graceland cemetery.

Charles Wiley Marvel was born near Waynesville, Ill., March 23, 1868, his parents being Joseph and Emma Marvel. He grew to young manhood there and was married to Eva Gambel [Gambrel], who preceded her husband in death. To this union was born one son, Ralph, who now lives in San Antonio, Texas. He will be here for the funeral.

Two years before he moved to Iowa he was married to Sarah Wasson. To this union were born four children: Mrs. Harold Mitchell (Gladys) and Kenneth H., of this city, Mrs. B.R. Stannerson (Louise) of Ames, and Miss Lorene M., who teaches at Carroll.

There are seven grandchildren, a sister, Mrs. Will Farmer, of Waynesville, Ill., and three brothers, J.T. and Frank, of Waynesville, and George, of Washington, Ill.

When Mr. Marvel arrived in Webster City he operated a livery stable and was in the auctioneer business. He also had extensive land interests in this county.

He built the house now owned by Fred Hahne, 1601 Willson avenue, where the family lived for many years. Mrs. Marvel died in 1928.

Eight years ago he and his son opened the sales pavilion at 301 Second street, which has grown to one of the largest and most successful in the state.

The Marvels have under construction a large new sales barn just west of this city on the site of the former sewer pipe factory and one of Mr. Marvel's ambitions was to get this completed and in operation.

The last few months Mr. Marvel had been assisted in auctioneering at his sales by Elmer Eike, of Radcliffe. His son, Kenneth, will continue the business, and plans are underway to have the new barn ready for occupancy in the early fall.

Mr. Marvel was a member of the Methodist church and at one time belonged to the Elks club. He was also a member of the Iowa State Barn association.

Few auctioneers in Iowa had as wide an acquaintance or as large a personal following as Mr. Marvel. And since the establishment of his sales pavilion, it is doubtful if any auctioneer in Iowa sold more livestock than went on the block at the Marvel barn.

For many years prior to the establishment of this pavilion, his services were widely sought over this part of Iowa as a livestock and farm sale auctioneer. So successful was he in these lines that the building of the sales pavilion followed the natural expansion of his business.

Three sales a week are held there and probably no sales barn in Iowa is better known to buyers from over the state and adjoining states. And on occasion it was nothing unusual to see buyers from the east and from the Rocky mountain states bidding at the Marvel stock sales.

For years the Marvel pavilion has had the reputation of being the largest horse market in the state. His death will be widely mourned by friends from many states. All will be glad, however, to know that the business will be continued by his son who has handled the operation of the pavilion for several years and who is thoroughly familiar with all its details.