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Lewis Cass WONNELL 1848-1927

WONNELL, MINCHER

Posted By: Richard S. Clark (email)
Date: 10/17/2004 at 13:10:01

Obituary - The Wapello Republican & Wapello Tribune, Wapello, Iowa
Thursday, 29 December 1927 - Page 1

L. C. WONNELL CALLED BY DEATH

Passed Away In Home Saturday Morning

MASON FRIENDS AT FUNERAL

Lewis C. Wonnell was born in Port Clinton, Ohio, Feb. 13, 1848, and died at his home in Wapello, Iowa, Dec. 24, 1927, aged 79 years, 10 months, and 21 days. He attended the public schools of his community, and college in Michigan, and early in life learned the trades of carpenter and carriage painter. In the year 1868, he came to Wapello, which has ever since been his home.

On December 31, 1872, he was married to Anna B. Mincher, the daughter of a pioneer Iowa family, who after fifty-five years of happy and congenial life together, survives him. To this union was born one son, Charles Lyman Wonnell, now living in Davenport, Iowa. Of Mr. Wonnell's family there are also left two brothers, Guy Wonnell of Toledo, Ohio, and Edward Wonnell, of Rockford, Ill., and one sister, Mrs. Hattie Hyde, of Port Clinton, Ohio.

He became a member of Wapello Lodge No. 5, A. F. & A. M. in 1870, and continued as a member for 57 years, holding the office of Worshipful Master in 1875, and secretary from 1913 to 1926, until compelled by ill health to relinquish his duties. He was a member of the Eastern Star, acting for seven years as Worthy Patron. He was always active and serious in all that pertained to the welfare of both orders.

In local affairs he served in various capacities, as mayor and member of the city council, and while health permitted was active in political matters, acting as local secretary, on central committees, and as county chairman of his party for a long time.

This simple record of a life tells little to one who did not know our friend, but to those who knew and appreciated him it is the story of a well spent life, a loving husband, a kind father, and good citizen. He was one who throughout life took a keen interest in public affairs, was intelligent, earnest and devoted to his ideals. He showed in his daily work, as in his views, a conscientous care. He turned out no work that did not satisy his won ideas of what was correct, and thorough and well done, and he asked of others that they also do their best. He formed his own ideas as to men and affairs, and held to and demanded honest men and honest policies in public and private matters. He scorned the false, and was ever ready to fight for what he held true.

Mr. Wonnell's devotion to his family and friends was marked, and his interest in and work for he orders in which he was so deeply interested, made him for years one of the most active and useful members. In every one of his various activities he gave of his trength, and in his declining years he claimed the loving interest of friends, old and new. He will be missed in his home, in his town and in his lodge, an will be remembered withhappy recollections of a good life well spent.

Funeral services were held at the First M. E. church Monday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, conducted by Rev. B. G. Hankins, assisted by Revs. C. E. Burdine and Jesse Huddle, after which E. W. Browning of Morning Sun, took charge and conducted the impressive Masonic ritualistic services at the church and cemetery.

Mostly MINCHER
 

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