CRAIL, Benjamin Franklin Jr., 1864 - 1930

CRAIL, POULTON, CASSAT, MCDONALD

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 5/25/2021 at 20:22:46

"The Fairfield (Iowa) Daily Ledger"
Tuesday, December 30, 1930
Page EIGHT, Column 6

B. F. CRAIL DIED THIS MORNING
Well Known Fairfield Citizen Passed Away After Long Illness

B. F. CRAIL, one of Fairfield's well known citizens, died at 6:50 this morning at his home, 604 South Main street after an extended illness. For about seven years Mr. CRAIL has been in failing health suffering from pernicious anaemia.

The son of James D. and Elizabeth CRAIL, he was born July 13, 1864 on a Jefferson county farm and spent most of his life in this county. He was educated in the rural schools and for a time attended Parsons college. As a young man he leared the printing trade on the Ledger having been employed by W. W. Junkin and worked with his sons. He was also employed on the Journal by Robert Moore and later worked on Des Moines newspapers.

Mr. CRAIL had various business interests in Fairfield, beginning with his association with his father in cattle buying. He was long a buyer and shipper of cattle and also operated a dairy business on his farm. He was associated with E. W. Vinton in the Vinton grocery and at different times with Zell Brown Sr. David CRAIL and F. F. Simpson in the meat market business. He will be most remembered as the partner of the late Zell Brown in the Crail & Brown market.

Except for a short time spent in Kansas and Colorado he has lived all his life in or near Fairfield and it was here that he was married to Miss Elizabeth POULTON, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John POULTON on Dec. 30, 1891. consequently his death occurred upon their thirty-ninth wedding anniversary.

To Mr. and Mrs. CRAIL were born two children, James Charles and Helen Elizabeth. James was married to Miss Margaret McDONALD Feb. 21, 1914 and their daughter Margaret Elizabeth is the only grandchild. James died Jan. 17, 1925. Helen, who was married to David B. CASSAT, died Dec. 9, 1918.

Mr. CRAIL was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, having served for years as a member of the board of trustees. He was a man of good judgment and kindly disposition and of notable generousity (sic). Many young men have been assisted finincially as well as with wise counsel from him and his loss will be mourned by a wide circle of friends.

The funeral services will be held from the First Methodist church at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, being conducted by the pastor Dr. U. S. Smith, Interment will be in the family lot in Evergreen cemetery.

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"The Fairfield (Iowa) Daily Ledger"
Friday, January 2, 1931
Page FIVE, Columns 1 and 2

JUST AMONG

...--Mr. and Mrs. B. R. McElderry, Mrs. Grace Sovereign and H. N. Williams of Des Moines are in the city today attending the funeral of B. F. CRAIL. ...

...--Rev. and Mrs. W. B. Ireland of Lovilia are in the city today attending the funeral of B. F. CRAIL. ...

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"The Fairfield (Iowa) Daily Ledger"
Saturday, January 3, 1931
Page TWO, Columns 7 and 8

B. F. CRAIL FUNERAL

Funeral services for B. F. CRAIL, who died at his home here December 30, were held yesterday afternoon at 2 oclock from the First Methodist church in charge of Dr. U. S. Smith assisted by Dr. H. C. Whiting. After a brief service at the home the body was conveyed to the church at 1 oclock and there lay in state until the hour of the services

Dr. Whiting, a close friend and neighbor, read the scripture passages and spoke upon "Friendship" and revealed the fact that his long association with Mr. CRAIL developed a friendship of spiritual character which will not be broken by physical death.

The musical numbers were rendered by Mrs. Frank Pierson and Mrs. Arthur F. Greef, old friends of the family, who sang "Abide With Me" and "One Sweetly Solemn Thought".

The sermon was delivered by Dr. U. S. Smith, who as the pastor in the family, spoke feelingly of the faith and fortitude which had marked the life now departed. He spoke from the text "For Me To Live is Christ, to Die is Gain".

The floral offerings were profuse and beautiful. Following the service interment was made in Evergreen cemetery. The honorary pall bearers were: L. O. Gaines, Joseph Jackson, C. W. Wade, Dr. R. C. Sayer, Dr. Whiting, and R. W. Lamson. The casket attendants were: R. D. Hunt, R. B. Gobble, J. I. Glotfelty, F. W. McClain, E C. Linder and Dean Taylor.

Out-of-town relatives and friends who attended the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. David CASSAT of Dubuque; Mr. and Mrs. Bruce McElderry, Mrs. Grace Sovereign, Harry Williams and Mr. and Mrs. Poulton Morris of Des Moines; Mrs. Charles POULTON, Mr. and Mrs. Marlowe Work, Will Allison, Mrs. Earl True, Mrs. Emma Phillips and Mrs. Hubert Bates and son Donald of Ottumwa; Mr. and Mrs. Phillip CRAIL and Miss Nata Albey of Mt. Pleasant; Hubert CRAIL of Washington; Mrs. Charley Reynolds and daughter Bernice of Cedar Rapids; Rev. and Mrs. W. B. Ireland of Lovilia and Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Despain of Burlington. J. B. CRAIL of Washington was unable to attend on account of illness.

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Lot Old.P.025. Wife Mary died in 1951 and is buried with him.