GRAHAM, Clyde Mansfield 1881 - 1936

GRAHAM, GARNETT, BIGGS, SLOCUM

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 11/19/2023 at 16:23:12

"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Monday, November 2, 1936
Front Page, Columns 1 and 2,
and Page 3, Columns 2 and 3

C. M. GRAHAM, Well Known Merchant, Dies Suddenly

Manager Of Fairfield Spurgeon Store Called At Home Sunday Morning; Funeral Services Will Be Held Tuesday At 4 P. M.

Clyde M. GRAHAM, for nearly twenty-five years a leader in the business and civic life of the city, passed away suddenly at his home here about 6:00 a.m. Sunday. For several months he had been in poor health, but his family believed him much improved lately and his death came as a shock.

He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Marion GRAHAM of Carl, Iowa, where he was born July 9, 1881. As a boy, he attended the public schools of Orient. He attended the Corning Academy, then headed by Dr. T. D. Ewing, who previously had been for nine years the president of Parsons college.

After he was out of school, he became deputy County Recorder under his father, leaving that position to become a clerk in the A. B. Turner store at Corning, where he worked with Dan Turner, later governor of Iowa. Following a year spent in Washington state, Mr. GRAHAM returned to Iowa and worked in the older Spurgeon store, along with H. F. Spurgeon, now president of the Spurgeon business. After that, he worked for a time in Corning, but soon went to Grinnell, where he formed a partnership with the Graham stores, the firm name being changed to Graham and Graham. The two men were distant cousins. Later on Mr. Spurgeon purchased the Grinnell store.

In 1906, Mr. GRAHAM joined the Spurgeon organization and became the manager of Store No. 3 at Villisca. In 1912, he came to Fairfield for the purpose of opening up a Spurgeon store here. For nearly 25 years he has been the successful manager at Fairfield. During all of this time he has been actively connected with the business and other activities of the city, and was always willing to give of his time and money for community betterment.

Mr. GRAHAM opened Store No. 8 in Fairfield, and through twenty-nine years of association with H. F. Spurgeon, the founder of the system, there never has been a misunderstanding between the two. H. F. Spurgeon is a cousin, but the business relationship was built upon another basis. It is significant that in twenty-five years of support of the Retail Merchants' organization and the Chamber of Commerce and other community enterprises, Mr. GRAHAM gave much time to these "outside interests" and simultaneously made his store an outstanding one. Of the thirty-nine Spurgeon stores, his has been the model one. It has always been a success financially and in other considerations. Mr. GRAHAM, therefore, was called upon to train many young men. He has given the training to more managers of Spurgeon stores that any other man except the founder.

Mr. GRAHAM was always active in any organization that had for its aim a bigger and better Fairfield. He held the office of President at different times in several organizations, and at the close of such terms, immediately he accepted minor offices and committee work. For many years, he was president of the Fairfield Chautauqua Association and aided in the selection of the programs.

Mr. GRAHAM was elected president of the Rotary Club last spring although he was not then in the best of health. He appreciated the honor and tendered his resignation in June whereupon Vincent Cullen was elected president and Mr. GRAHAM as vice-president.

Mr. GRAHAM was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and has served on the official board of the Fairfield church almost from the time of his coming to Fairfield. He has always been a faithful member and a willing worker in the church. Until rather recently he was treasurer of the church, being succeeded by R. H. Spence. He also was a member of the Fairfield Gospel Team, an interdenominational organization of Fairfield men.

On Christmas day, 1906, he was married to Miss Ina GARRETT (sic - GARNETT), the ceremony taking place at the home of her brother, Ambrose GARNETT, in Des Moines. They went to housekeeping in Grinnell. He is survived by his wife and their only child, Arthur Wesley GRAHAM, who is manager of the Spurgeon store in Princeton, Ill.

One brother, Arthur, of Burbank, Calif., and a sister Mrs. Lulu BIGGS, who visited him here only a week ago, survive. Mrs. W. W. SLOCUM, another sister, died about two years ago.

Services will be held at the First Methodist church, Tuesday at 4:00 p.m., in charge of Dr. M. A. Gable, assisted by Dr. Thomas Osborne, Mr. GRAHAM's first pastor in Fairfield.

The body will remain at the Behner-Dudgeon Funeral Home until 3:00 p.m., when it will be taken to the church, where it will lie in state from 3:0 to 4:00 p.m, and until time for the services. Casket attendants during the hour between 3:00 and 4:00 o'clock will be C. W. Wade and L. E. Clinkenbeard. Ushers will be T. B. Short, Delzell Green and Dean Taylor. Active pallbearers are Vincent Cullen, Edward G. Fligg, C. L. Kersey, Carroll Bradshaw, Frank Pierson, and J. H. Stuckey. Honorary pallbearers include Harry O. Crow, Walter Williams, Dr. F. J. Clarke, Mayor Paul S. Junkin, Charles Heer and T. E. McLean.

Preceding the services, Prof. J. P. Moorhead will be at the organ, and Paul Coleson will sing "Crossing the Bar."

Interment will be in Evergreen cemetery.

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"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Monday, November 2, 1936
Front Page, Column 6

STORES TO CLOSE TUESDAY DURING GRAHAM FUNERAL

All Fairfield merchants will close their stores tomorrow, between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m., in respect to the memory of C. M. GRAHAM, whose funeral wil be held at that time from the First Methodist church.

Mr. GRAHAM was one of the most active merchants of this city and devoted a great deal of his time in the cause of civic betterment. He was many times chosen to serve as head of the Merchants Association and the Retail Bureau of the Chamber of Commerce. He has been on countless committees and memorials to his efforts may be found in many places.

The closing of the stores is done by the merchants as a last tribute to one of Fairfield's best and most highly respected citizens.

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"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Wednesday, November 4, 1936
Front Page, Column 6

MANY ATTEND GRAHAM RITES

Services In Charge Of Dr. M. A. Grable (sic) And Dr. Thomas Osborn

Friends of the late Clyde M. GRAHAM filled the First Methodist church yesterday afternoon for the funeral service. The body lay in state from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. just preceding the service.

Floral tributes covered the rostrum when the service opened with a solo "Crossing the Bar," was sung by Paul Coleson. Prof. James P. Moorhead accompanied him at the organ and also played during the services.

Dr. M. A. Gable, pastor of the church read the scripture selections. He then introduced Dr. Thomas Osborn of Mt. Pleasant, stating that this former pastor would speak.

Dr. Osborn spoke words of comfort using as his text words found in Revelations 2:10: "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." The meaning of these two great facts of human existence, life and death, were discussed and the lessons of a virtuous life pointed out.

Members of the Fairfield Rotary club attended the service in a body. Interment was in Evergreen cemetery here.

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"The Fairfield (Ia.) Daily Ledger"
Wednesday, November 4, 1936
Page FIVE, Column 2

LOCALS

... --Among those from out- of town attending the services for Clyde M. GRAHAM here yesterday were the following Spurgeon Co. officials and store managers: H. F. Spurgeon, presdent of the company Chicago; M. H. Hagenstad, superintendent of Iowa Stores, Chicago; Harry Rice, manager, Ottumwa; C. Walters, Manager, Mt. Pleasant; Marvin Lewis, formerly of Fairfield, manager, Centerville; Charles Nichols, formerly of Fairfield, manager, Albia; R. Foster ,manager, Chariton (sic); Harold Johnson, formerly of Fairfield, manager, Villisca.

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"The Fairfield (Ia.) Daily Ledger"
Wednesday, November 4, 1936
Page EIGHT, Column 5

A TRIBUTE

In the death of Clyde C. GRAHAM (sic) Fairfield has lost one of her finest citizens. Quiet and unassuming his true worth was realized best by those who knew him best. He was sincere and straightforward and upright. He was a loyal man, loyal to his family, loyal to his friends, loyal to his church, loyal to his community, loyal to his business associates, loyal to his country, loyal to the high principles that guided his life. Few men have been as useful in the life of the community as he and few more faithfully discharged whatever duties devolved upon him. The world is better and this community is better because he lived and his loss will be deeply felt. This brief tribute comes from the heart of one who for years was proud to feel that he was one of Clyde GRAHAM's friends.

Paul S. Junkin

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"The Fairfield (Ia.) Daily Ledger"
Thursday, November 5, 1936
Page FIVE, Columns 1 and 2

LOCALS

... --Others from out-of-town who attended the services for C. M. GRAHAM, Tuesday, were Ambrose GARNETT, Chicago; Mrs. Elvin D. GARNETT of Pharr, Texas; Mrs. Alfred H. Bray, Miss Gussie Reeds and Mrs. M. J. Trickey, all of Kansas City, Kans.; Mrs. J. H. Parsons, of Decatur, Ill.; Mrs. J. A. Pogue, of Chariton; Mrs. G. W. Landers, of Centerville; Miss Yvonne SLOCUM and Darrell SLOCUM, of Massena; Mrs. H. A. GRAHAM and Robert GRAHAM of Ottumwa; Mrs. Frank Kephart, of Agency; O. F. Fryer of Cedar Rapids; Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Myers of Burlington; Miss Ruby GARNETT, of Austin, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Arthur GRAHAM and son Stuart of Princeton, Ill.

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"The Fairfield (Ia.) Daily Ledger"
Monday, November 9, 1936
Page FIVE, Columns 3 and 4

Around Town By The Inquiring Reporter

... --Mrs. Arthur GRAHAM and son returned to their home in Princeton Sunday. Mrs. GRAHAM and son were called to Fairfield by the death of C. M. GRAHAM on October 31 and remained with Mrs. C. M. GRAHAM for the week.

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"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Wednesday, November 11, 1936
Front Page, Column 2

DAN TURNER PAYS TRIBUTE TO C. M. GRAHAM IN LETTER

Former Governor Dan Turner of Corning, paid tribute to C. M. GRAHAM, manager of the local Spurgeon Store who died recently, in a letter to the Ledger.

Quoting from the letter: "I just received the Ledger with the information that C. M. GRAHAM passed away. Clyde was born in Adams county and lived here until he reached the age of maturity. He came from fine pioneer stock. His father was a veteran of the Civil War. I value this opportunity of paying tribute to the memory of Clyde GRAHAM.

"Through his own efforts, with a background of sound lineage, he became one of Iowa's substantial responsible citizens. There are different grades even among good citizens. Clyde GRAHAM was honestly clean, upright. He gave thought to the needs of others. He cheerfully accepted responsibility. Civilization is built on the efforts of such men. Iowa has lost one of her best citizens. It is a privilege to pay even this brief tribute to the memory of a good man.

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

Note: Buried in Lot 3rd.097. Wife Ina subsequently remarried, to Fred CUMMINGS, died in 1951, and was buried with Clyde.