Wilbur J. Cornell (1938)

CORNELL, DOWLING, FROST, WILSON

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 5/27/2007 at 10:42:02

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, February 9, 1938

PROMINENT WINTERSET CITIZEN HAD BEEN WITH CITIZEN'S NATIONAL BANK FOR MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY

Wilbur J. Cornell, a Winterset banker for more than half a century and one of Madison county's most distinguished citizens during that period, died at Portland, Mich., Monday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Thomas Frost. He was 79 years of age.

Mr. Cornell's death came after a brief illness with pneumonia. His sons, John and Robert Cornell of Spirit Lake had been called to his bedside, but it is not known here whether or not they arrived previous to his death at one o'clock.

Mr. Cornell had been making his home with his daughter since last summer when he left Winterset. Since his retirement from active business several years ago, he had spent much of his time in the homes of his three children.

He was a native of West Liberty, coming to Winterset as a young man to enter the employ of the Citizen's National bank as a teller in May, of 1882. The remainder of his active life was spent in the service of that institution. On January 22, 1885, he was made cashier of the bank, and held that position as long as the bank was in existence. His leadership was held largely responsible for the fine record that bank has made in paying depositors since its forced closing in the bank holiday of 1933.

The death of but few citizens of this community could leave such a widely-felt sorrow and regret in Winterset and Madison county.

He leaves his wife, Mrs. Nettie Cornell, now of Portland; his daughter, Mrs. Thomas Frost of Portland; and his sons, John and Robert Cornell of Spirit Lake, and three grandchildren, Sue Cornell of Winterset, and John and Don Cornell of Spirit Lake.

Funeral services were to be held at Portland today (Wednesday) and burial is to be made at his boyhood home in West Liberty.
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The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, February 16, 1938

Wilbur J. Cornell was born in Macon county, Illinois, on January 1, 1859, the son of the Rev. John K. and Samantha Dowling Cornell. His parents were natives of Ohio. The father was a minister of the Church of Christ, and in 1860 he brought his family to Iowa, settling in Van Buren county. They came to Winterset in 1875, and here the young Wilbur obtained his education. The family moved elsewhere in 1877, but Wilbur remained here, engaged as a clerk in a grocery store.

In 1882, Wilbur Cornell entered the Citizen's National bank as teller. He was made cashier in 1884, holding that position for more than half a century. He rose to the rank of one of the leading financial figures in south central Iowa, and his name was widely known as a synonym for business and integrity and honor.

The Masonic lodge of Winterset confered a fifty year membership certificate upon Mr. Cornell September 20, 1935. He was an active Mason here for many years.

On the thirteenth of June, 1883, he was married to Miss Nettie J. Wilson, a native of West Liberty. They were the parents of three children: John Cornell and Robert Cornell, now of Spirit Lake, and Mrs. Thomas Frost of Portland, Michigan.

Mr. Cornell died on February 7, 1938, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Thomas Frost, in Portland, Michigan. Funeral services were held at Portland on February 9, and burial was made later at West Liberty, Ia.
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The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, April 6, 1938

LAST RITES HELD FOR MR., MRS. W. J. CORNELL

Former Winterset Banker and Wife Buried With Double Ceremony

Double funeral services for Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur J. Cornell were held at the Snider funeral home in West Liberty, Sunday, April 3rd. Mr. Cornell had died February 7th at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Thomas Frost in Portland, Michigan, after a short illness with pneumonia, and his wife had died eight days later, following an extended illness. Because of illness in the Frost family, the services were postponed until Sunday.

Mr. Cornell who was 79 years of age, and Mrs. Cornell who was 76 years of age, had both been raised in West Liberty. They were married on June 13, 1883, and came to Winterset where they have since resided. Mr. Cornell entered the employ of the Citizens National bank as a teller in May, 1882. On January 22, 1885, he was made cashier of the bank and held that position as long as the bank was in existence. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cornell were active in the affairs of the community. Mr. Cornell having been a Mason for over fifty years. Mrs. Cornell was a charter member of the Womens Club, and a past matron of the Order of Eastern Star.

The Rev. Frank Sutton, pastor of the West Liberty Christian church conducted their funeral services Sunday afternoon at two o'clock and burial was made in the West Liberty cemetery.

The Winterset people who drove down for the services included Phil R. Wilkinson, D. M. Griswold, Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Wight, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Moore, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Ditto and Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Thompson.

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