MCPHERRON, Ralph 1854-1938

MCPHERRON, HAINES, WARD, REED, CHOATE

Posted By: Elaine Harrington (email)
Date: 11/19/2006 at 13:05:18

MILLS COUNTY TRIBUNE
DATED MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1938

Host of Friends Pay Tribute to
Memory of Beloved Life Long
Citizen of this Community,
Masons Officiate

Ralph McPherron, 84, life long resident of Mills county and member of a prominent pioneer family, passed away shortly before noon, Saturday from which he never ral-(sic) Hazel street in this city (?). He had suffered a stoke on the previous Saturday from which he never rallied. He had been in his usual good health and had just returned to his home from his daily walk about town on the afternoon when he was stricken. There were intervals during the week when he roused sufficiently to recognize relatives, but gave no indication of suffering nor recognition of the fact that his condition was serious. He indicated that he expected to get up within a few moments and then lapsed into sleep. The end came peaceful as he sank into a deeper slumber as one weary from the fatigue of many vigorous years of life.

He was a descendent of the William McPherron family who migrated to this country from their home in Tennessee, locating in Mills county in 1850. William had a land warrant from the War of 1812, allowing him 40 acres of land. He chose 40 acres in section 17 of Rawles township, then bought an adjoining 120 acres.

It was in this community that Ralph McPherron was born, Sept. 4, 1854, and grew to young manhood, and it was here that he established his home, reared his family and when he retired form active farm life, moving to Glenwood, purchased the property on South Hazel street, which was his home at the time of his death.

He was married to Samantha Haines in 1882. She passed away in 1889, leaving their two small sons, Bert and Ray. He later married Mary Ward Reed, who was a devoted mother to these two boys, as well as to the other three children, Elmer, Dan and Hazel, who were born to them. Mrs. McPherron passed away February 26, 1936, after which his daughter and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne D. Choate, took up their residence in his home with him.

His son, Dan, preceded his father in death 20 years ago. The other children who survive are, Bert McPherron, who resides north of Tabor, Ray McPherron, who resides east of Glenwood, Elmer McPherron, who resides near Fleming, Colo., and Mrs. Wayne D. Choate of this city. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

He was a member of the Fairview Methodist church in Rawles township and a charter member of the Tabor Masonic lodge. His greatest interest in life, outside of his home was in Masonry. He had taken the Royal Arch, the Knights Templar degrees and the Shrine. His devotion to the order increased as the years passed and those he had instructed in the lectures of Masonry ran into the hundreds.

Funeral services were held in Raynor’s Funeral home at 2 o’clock this Monday afternoon. Members of the Tabor and Glenwood Masonic ladies attended the service in a body. The floral offerings were a beautiful evidence of the esteem in which he was held by those among whom he had lived so many years.

The funeral service was conducted by Rev. Peter Jacobs, pastor of the Tabor Congregational church and a life long friends of the family. He was assisted by Rev. Grand Parker, pastor of the Glenwood Methodist church. Music for the service was furnished by a quartette composed of Virgie Lugsch, Lucile McPherron, W. H. Rodabaugh and Henry Dean with Mrs. C. T. Genung as pianist. The pallbearers were Harry Widows, S. M. Criswell, Chris Wreidt, Jay Stivers, Wm. Lugsch and Ward Baker.

The Masonic services were conducted at the grave in Fairview cemetery by officers of the Tabor lodge, assisted by the Glenwood lodge.