Clanahan, William Otis (1888-1938)

CLANAHAN, ANDERSON, SISLER, MILLER, SCHMIDT

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

Stratford Courier
January 6, 1938

W.O. CLANAHAN, A LOCAL MAN, FOUND DEAD, LINN GROVE

W.O. Clanahan, of Stratford, was found dead in his bed at Linn Grove early yesterday morning, death being due to a heart attack. He was 49 years old and was, apparently in the best of health. A physician who examined the body stated that his death had occurred during the early hours of the night.

Deceased was very well and favorably known here. For a number of years he was agent for the C. & N. W. railway company here, leaving the employ of that company to enter the grocery business here. After that was firmly established, he left it in charge of Mrs. Clanahan and since then he has been doing agent relief work for the railway company at different stations on their lines. For some time he had been stationed at Linn Grove.

Surviving are his wife, one daughter, Miss LaVonne, and a son, William, Jr., all of Stratford.

His sudden death came as a shocking blow to his Stratford friends who extend sincere condolences to the bereaved widow and children.

Stratford Courier
January 13, 1938

Obituary

W.O. Clanahan

The last rites for W.O. Clanahan were held Sunday afternoon, with a family prayer service in the home at 1:30 o'clock and in the Methodist church at 2 o'clock. Services were conducted by the Rev. C.R. Yeager, of Renwick, assisted by the Rev. Paul R. Johnson, local Methodist pastor. A mixed quartet, composed of Mrs. F.W. Miller, Mrs. Paul R. Johnson, A.T. Johnson and J.H. Thurau, sang, "O Love That Would Not Let Me Go," Face to Face," and "Abide With Me," with Mrs. Ronald Bell as accompanist.

The floral pieces and bouquets of flowers were both many and beautiful, banking the casket on every side tributes from those who in life had admired deceased to whom they were paying their last earthly respects.

At the close of the regular church services, the beautiful and inspiring Masonic funeral service was carried out under the leadership of J.B. Marsh, a member of the Lehigh Masonic Lodge. Interment was made in the South Marion Cemetery, the casket bearers being the following Masonic brethren: Justin Anderson, M.E. Pomeroy, Julius Sonksen, Albert Hubner, Sanford Johnson, Sam Lundell.

William Otis Clanahan, son of Matthew and Kissah Clanahan, was born at Marble Hill, Mo., Jan. 7, 1888. When but a small lad he moved with his parents to Golconda, Ill., where he received his early education. He continued his education at Dodges Institute Valparaiso, Ind., in which school he studied telegraphy. He grew up under the influence of the Methodist church, his grandfather being a minister of that denomination.

He died at Linn Grove on Jan. 5, 1938, where he was employed as station agent for the Northwestern. His death came very sudden and occurred two days before his 50th birthday anniversary.

At the age of 16 years he left his home and came to Iowa and he had since made his home in this state. On July 18, 1914, he was united in marriage to Alice Charlotte Anderson, of Stanhope. Two children, a son and a daughter, were born of this union.

He was employed by the Chicago & Northwestern railway company for a number of years, serving as station agent at various points in Iowa. From 1921 to 1927 he was agent for the company here. For a number of years he and his wife have operated a grocery business in Stratford.

Left to mourn his untimely death are his wife, two children, Lavonne and William; two brothers, W.E. Clanahan, of Herrin, Ill., and Geo. Clanahan, of Saint Louis, Mo.; three sisters, Mrs. Clara Sisler, of Golconda, Ill.; Mrs. Elsie Miller, of Pueblo, Colo.; Mrs. Myrtle Schmidt, of Centralia, Ill., a number of other relatives and a host of friends.

He was known to everyone as "Mac," and was highly respected by everyone who knew him. Always cheerful and jovial, he made friends wherever he went, friends who were legion and substantial in their fondness for him. As such a man he was a friend to man, so well exemplified in the following poem, "The House by the Side of the Road" by Poss:

There are hermit souls that live withdrawn
In the peace of their self content;
There are souls like stars, that dwell apart
In a fellowless firmament;
There are pioneer souls that blaze their paths
Where the highways never ran;
But let me live by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

Let me live in a house by the side of the road,
Where the race of men go by -
The men who are good and the men who are bad,
As good and as bad as I.
I would not sit in the scorner's seal,
Or hurl the cynic's ban -
Let me live in a house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

I see from my house by the side of the road,
By the side of the highway of life,
The men who press with the ardor of hope,
The men who are fain with strife.
But I turn not away from their smiles nor their tears,
Both parts of an infinite plan -
Let me live in my house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

I know there are brook-gladdened meadows ahead
And mountains of wearisome height;
And the road passes on through the long afternoon
And stretches away to the night.
But still I rejoice when the travelers rejoice.
And weep with the strangers that moan,
Nor live in my house by the side of the road
Like a man who dwells alone.

Let me live in my house by the side of the road -
Where the race of men go by.
They are good, they are bad, they are weak, they are strong.
Wise, foolish - so am I:
Then why should I sit in the scorner's seat
Or hurl the cynic's ban? -
Let me live in my house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

Card of Thanks

We desire to express our sincerest thanks to our many friends, who so kindly assisted us during our recent bereavement in the death of our husband and father; also thank the singers and pallbearers, members of the Masonic, Eastern Star and Royal Neighbor lodges. Your kindnesses will never be forgotten. Mrs W.O. Clanahan, LaVonne and William, Jr.