SPOONER, Alexander (1860-1935)

SPOONER, SHAFER, MARTY, DODDS, SMITH

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society (email)
Date: 7/23/2013 at 01:41:16

From the LuVerne News June 1935

Dr. A. L. Spooner Dies After A Short Illness

Dr. A. L. Spooner, aged 74 years, passed away at the Lutheran Hospital in Fort Dodge Saturday evening June 1st, at 8:15 o'clock, death following a six day illness, caused by pneumonia. Dr. Spooner had been a practicing physician for almost half a century and for the past 27 years had been located in LuVerne.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon, short services at the home being followed by services at the Methodist Church, both in charge of the pastor, Rev. V. V. Schuldt, assisted by Rev. Dr. Baddeley of Woolstock, a former pastor here and the friend of the Spooner family. Dr. Baddeley preached the funeral sermon. Music for the occasion was furnished by a trio composed of Mrs. V. V. Schuldt, Mrs. Henry Lichty and Miss Florence Hof, the accompanist being Mrs. Harold Phillips.

The many relatives and friends in attendance at the funeral, and the beautiful floral offerings, paid tribute to the memory of the deceased.

Interment was made in the family lot in the cemetery at Garner, Iowa, where rested the body of an infant son who preceded him in death. The casket bearers were F.T. Chapman, Fred Schneider, Will Ellis, Adam Marty, Matt Marty, and Henry Peitzke.

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The following is the obituary read at the funeral:

Alexander L. Spooner was born near Kingston, Ontario on October 6, 1860. He was one of a large family, his mother dying when he was two years old. He attended rural school in the winter months, repeating his lessons nightly before the fireplace for the benefit of a younger sister, (Emma) cruelly crippled, whose only schooling was obtained in this manner. The sympathy and compassion for the crippled and unfortunate thus early engendered, permeated his entire life
and resulted after many years of "working a little" and "studying a little" until his graduation in 1892 from Keokuk Medical College, graduates of which were awarded diplomas by the University of Iowa. He began to practice at Klemme in Hancock County, Iowa, immediately after, as a pioneer physician of the "horse and buggy" days, valiantly battling disease and death, often in a kerosene lighted farm kitchen or bedroom. He struggled with the elements of mud, snow, ice, and flood with a grim determination and untiring energy giving little thought to the financial rewards, trusting everyone, and forgiving debts of the poor and forgetting them, in the busy fatiguing life of a "country doctor."

People enough to populate an average county seat town saw the first light of day with his assistance --- as many as 17 members of one family are known to have been ushered into the world by him.

Twenty-seven years ago he moved to LuVerne, Iowa, where he continued general practice uninterruptedly until a week ago. (The family lived in Iowa Falls for one year between moving from Klemme to LuVerne.) The necessity of responding to a midnight call, helping to transport a child on a rainy night from a home
near LuVerne to a Fort Dodge hospital for an emergency operation, is thought to have provided the exposure and fatigue resulting in a swiftly fatal pneumonia.

Dr. A. L. Spooner was married on December 25, 1892 to Mattie May Shafer, who survives him. Five children were born to this union. Lloyd, who is engaged in the insurance business in Fort Dodge, Iowa; Victor, an infant who died a tragic death from burns suffered while the doctor was ministering to the needs of a country patient during a blizzard; Mrs. Reta Marty, who lives at Mason City; Dwight, a surgeon in Milwaukee and Maynard, who is in the insurance business
at LuVerne. There are four grandchildren who were his great joy in recent years, Donnie and Jackie Spooner and Jeannie and Georgie Marty.

He is also survived by one brother Henry, formerly of Garner, now in Carstairs, Alberta and four sisters Emma and Clara Spooner of Brigden Ontario, Mrs. Pearl Dodds of Cabri, Saskatchewan, and Mrs. Maggie Smith of Sarnia, Ontario.

He recognized his handicap of an early education and desired a lighter economic burden for his family. Since the arrival of the first child, his entire life had been devoted to his family's welfare, denying himself in this ideal with consistency and pride.

Until the last two years, he enjoyed robust health and delighted in active exercise in the fresh air and sunshine about his home. His very first hospital illness was his last.

He maintained to his last day his concern for the welfare of others, anxiously inquiring about his patients and passing lightly over his own ailment and expressing the desire that no duties be neglected for him.

His life was the embodiment of service -- a life truly dedicated to the relief of human suffering and devoted to the happiness of others. He was not one to sing his own praises --- nor did he expect it of others. He was of a reticent retiring nature but a true loyal friend of everyone who knew him and a good citizen.

His walk of life, unclouded by any untoward act, was made beautiful by the pure sunshine of simple living. He was ever a humble devout worshiper who enjoyed the guidance of his personal God. His was a simple, honest faith unaffected by creed or doctrine.

He died after a hopeless six day struggle with pneumonia at 8:15 Saturday night June 1st, having attained the age of 74 years, seven months and 25 days.

He merits, if ever a man does, His commendation --- Well done thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joys of thy Lord.