William Swailes McClaran

BURNETT, DOUGHERTY, MCCLARAN, MCDONALD, MCDOWELL, MOREHEAD

Posted By: Ruth Berg (email)
Date: 10/8/2006 at 14:10:33

William Swailes McClaran died December 7 1887

Sudden Death of W. S. McClaran

The people of the city were greatly shocked on Thursday morning last to hear of the death of Wm/S. McClaran which occurred the evening before, Dec. 7th at his residence on North Maine Street. Mr. McClaran has for years been known to the people of our city, and indeed of the whole county, as one of the leading workmen in his profession, that of blacksmith.
He was born in Alleghany county, Pennsylvania, Aug 12, 1820. July 4th 1844 he married Miss Mary E. Dougherty. Two years after the twain removed to Richmond Jefferson county in eastern Ohio, and lived there two years: they then returned to their old neighborhood in Pennsylvania. In 1856 the family came to Iowa and first settles in Fairfield. In 1858 he came to Mt. Pleasant, where he has since resided. When the writer first knew he was foreman in the blacksmithing department of the _____ltz Brothers wagon factory, he was the first foreman in the forging implement of the Wheel Scraper Company, and continued in the employ of the company to the time of his death. On Tuesday morning, only the day before his death he commenced work as usual, but he was compelled to desist on account of sickness. His disease baffled all medical treatment, and he continued to grow worse until death relieved the suffer.
In death of Mr. McClaran society losses worthy member, his family a kind and faithful husband and father.---
He leaves a Widow and nine Children to mourn their loss. But he was not left them comfortless, for he leaves to them the memory of a noble, tender and upright live. The Deceased was in truth a laboring man and the large assemblage of workmen who attended his funeral was an appropriate and deserved testimony to his worth and integrity.
The Floral offerings were beautiful.--- His fellow workmen contributed some beautiful tokens in the shape of an anvil and hammer, and his youthful friends the Band of Hope, laid a beautiful wreath upon his coffin as a token of respect and sorrow. Dr. McDonald conducted the services.
The decease was one of a trio of friends- the late John Morehead, and James McDowell now the only survivor-who were born on the same day of the month and year. For thirteen consecutive years they ate their birthday dinners together at the home of someone of the trio. The customary meeting was omitted, one of the trio, Mr. Morehead having died on the 26th day of the previous June. The two Surviving friends concluded not to continue the custom after the death of their friend, Mr. McDowell is now the only survivor.
So friend after friend departs, the hath not lost a friend there is no union of hearts____.

Second Obituary

Obituary

The funeral of William S. McClaran , which took place yesterday afternoon was the largest ever held in the city. Deceased had been faithful employee at the Western Wheel Scraper Works ever since the establishment of the works in the very highest esteem by the proprietors and fellow workmen.
The works were closed at noon for the remainder of the day, and the entire force attended the funeral in a body. In the morning, the employees expended fifteen dollar in beautiful flowers from ever_ ___green house which were handsomely arranged into an Anvil and hammer, emblematical of his branch at the works, and showing the high esteem in which the deceased was held by them. Mr. McClaran was a stanch advocator of temperance and a great friend of the Band of Hope who also placed a wreath of the rarest flowers upon the coffin containing the remains of their dearly beloved advisor and coworker in the great and good cause in temperance reform.
Rev. Dr. McDonald delivered a very feeling address in which he set forth the exemplary life of the good man, after which the funeral cortege was formed and the remains were followed to Forest Home Cemetery by an unusually large concourse of mourning and sympathizing friends.

Newspapers from Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, in possecion of Myra McClaran Burnett deceased