Lean, William John 1846-1917

LEAN, BROOKS, BURNHAM, SANBORN

Posted By: Jill McCarville (email)
Date: 2/19/2016 at 10:20:25

Lean

William John Lean was born in Cornwall, England, Dec. 9, 1846, and died at his home in Lime Springs October 10, 1917, aged 70 years, 10 months and 1 day. He came to America with his parents when eleven years of age and settled in Wisconsin. He was married on Dec. 30, 1868, to Catherine M. Brooks. They came to Iowa in 1882 and for nine years lived in the country home near Lime Springs. Twenty-six years ago they moved into town and he was since an active man in the life of the town.
He spent nearly 49 years of life in the happy relation of husband and gave untiring devotion to every responsibility he assumed. For many years he was connected with M.E. church in membership and gave faithful service as janitor during much of the time. His life seen only in the open and public was not appreciated. He had his gentler moods which none knew but to love and appreciate. His ability in many ways was unexcelled and no one will be more missed from the community than Jack Lean.
He leaves of his own family Thomas and Robert Lean, two brothers who live in Wisconsin, his beloved wife, daughter Frances and granddaughter Merle.
His scrap album unique in its arrangement showed the humorous, pathos and sublime. His underlines was proof of the finer feelings and inner life; his faithfulness in all things undertaken was unexcelled; with him orderliness was a supreme virtue. He was a member of the Masonic order, Yoeman and Woodmen. He served these orders as secretary for years and his books show the same spirit of neatness and accuracy as was shown in all other walks in life. The beautiful floral offerings from the different orders and the relatives and friends showed the esteem and respect which was held for him by the community at large. The funeral services were held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the M.E. church, conducted by the pastor Rev. D.C. Perri. His remarks were based on these words: "If a man die shall he live again," found in Job14-14, and were very appropriate for the occasion. He will be greatly missed in the home, church and the town. Those from away present at the funeral were his brother, Thomas from Whitewater, Wis., and brother Robert from Elkhorn, Wis., his nephew Ivan Lean from Elkhorn, Wis., Mr. and Mrs. Ray Burnham, nephew and wife, from Mason City.

Card of Thanks
We wish to express our appreciation for the kindness and helpfulness of the many friends, also for the beautiful floral offerings during the sickness and death of our beloved husband, father, and brother.
Catherine M. Lean, Frances Sanborn, W.A. Sanborn, Merle Sanborn, Thomas Lean,Robert Lean.

Cresco Plain Dealer October 30, 1917 P7

Pleasant Hill Cemetery
 

Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen