Blanche Belle (Sprague) McCall (1939)

HUNTOON, MCCALL, PACKWOOD, SPRAGUE

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 3/20/2007 at 08:53:33

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, July 19, 1939

MRS. E. E. McCALL DIED LAST FRIDAY

Life-Time Resident of Winterset Passed Away at Her Home At Age of 72

Mrs. E. E. McCall, well known Winterset resident, died at her home on West Washington street last Friday night, after a three weeks illness. She was 72 years of age, and had spent her entire life in Winterset.

Mrs. McCall was one of the most extensive land owners in Madison county, and owned several buildings in Winterset. He husband, the late Elmer E. McCall was for many years president of the Madison County State bank.

Blanche Belle Sprague, daughter of Porter B. and Nancy Packwood Sprague, was born in Winterset, Nov. 20, 1866. Following an illness of three weeks, she passed away on July 14, 1939, at the age of 72 years, eight months and 24 days.

Her father was one of the pioneer business men of Winterset and their home was two blocks south of the southwest corner of the square, where the high school athletic field is now located.

She was graduated from the Winterset high school, afterwards completing a course in music and graduating from the old Callanan college in Des Moines.

On June 28, 1888 she was married to Elmer E. McCall of Winterset. During her entire life she resided within two blocks of her birthplace and childhood home. To this union in marriage, two children were born: Eugene R. McCall who died in Minneapolis, on Oct. 2, 1916, soon after his graduation from the law college of the University of Michigan, and Helen McCall Huntoon of Winterset. Mrs. McCall died March 29, 1931, and since then the daughter and her husband, Harold V. Huntoon, have resided with Mrs. McCall in her home. The daughter and one brother, E. C. Sprague of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, are the remaining members of her family.

Mrs. McCall was active in the social life of this community during all of her adult life. She was a charter member of the Rathbone lodge of the Pythian Sisters, and was long an active member of Chapter AG P.E.O.

She was a woman who believed in, and adhered to the highest standards of living, but she was kind and considerate to her friends and associates, and intensely devoted to her loved ones. Hers was an active, useful life, and her passing is sincerely mourned by a wide circle of friends who will long cherish precious memories of her loyalty and devotion.

The Rev. W. P. Fink, pastor of the First Presbyterian church conducted her funeral services at the home at 10:30 o'clock Monday morning, and burial was made in the Winterset cemetery.
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The Winterset News
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, July 20, 1939
Page1, Columns 2 & 3, Page 8, Column 5

Mrs. E. E. McCall Dies At Age 72. Succumbs After 3-Week’s Illness

Mrs. E. E. McCall, age 72, resident of Winterset all her life, passed away at her home Friday night following a three week’s illness. Mrs. McCall was the wife of the late E. E. McCall, president of the former Madison County State Bank for 26 years. She had been very active prior to her illness having made a trip to Texas and Old Mexico just recently.

During the past several years Mrs. McCall had devoted her time to a home life with her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. H. V. Huntoon, and to social activities which she enjoyed. Her interests were in her beautiful home and grounds on Washington street and she spent a great deal of her time caring for flowers and watching the habits of birds. She loved to travel and had been in practically every section of the United States and Canada.

Extensive Holdings - Mrs. McCall’s holdings in Madison county were extensive although she took no active part in business. She owned nearly 1,500 acres of the county’s finest farming land and considerable real estate in Winterset. Practically all of her business transactions have been handled by Mr. H. V. Huntoon since the death of Mr. McCall in March, 1931.

She and her brother, E. C. Sprague of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, jointly owned the business buildings occupied by the Club Café and the Home Store.

Obituary

Blanche B. Sprague was born November 20, 1866 in Winterset. Her parents, Porter B. and Nancy Sprague, moved here from Ottumwa following the Civil War and engaged in the general mercantile business for a great many years. Mr. Sprague constructed several businesses buildings among which was the Union State Bank building where he started his business.

Mrs. McCall was a graduate of the Winterset high school and Callanan college in Des Moines where she majored in music. She was married June 28, 1888 to E. E. McCall in Winterset. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McCall; a son, Eugene R. died 23 years ago and a daughter Mrs. Helen McCall Huntoon, survives. A brother, E. C. Sprague also survives.

Funeral services were held at ten o’clock Monday morning at the McCall home. Rev. W. P. Fink, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, conducted the services. Burial was made in the Winterset cemetery.

Those coming from a distance to attend the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Sprague and daughter, Helen Louise, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Mr. and Mrs. Lyle McCall of Lorimor, Mr. and Mrs. John Connolly, jr. and Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Hurlbut of Des Moines, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Olmstead and son, Dr. L. M. Nourse and son, Myron; Dr. and Mrs. G. A. Huntoon, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Huntoon, Mr. and Mrs. Horace Tate and Mrs. Louise Hamilton, while of Des Moines, called at the McCall home Sunday.

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