CHANTRY, Allen J (1841-1927)

CHANTRY, RAINES, BEATTIE, BLAYLOCK

Posted By: Kathy Weaver (email)
Date: 5/9/2016 at 10:15:15

Malvern Leader
Thurs, Jan 27, 1927

COL. ALLEN J. CHANTRY DIES IN CALIFORNIA
Former Prominent Citizen and Legislator Passes Away After Brief Illness, January 20, at Oceanside, California

The sad news reached here Thursday evening of the death of Col. Allen J. Chantry at his home in Oceanside, California. He was stricken a week before with paralysis from which he was unable to rally. His sons, F.R. of this place and A.L. of Sidney left immediately for his bedside, arriving there Monday. He was able to recognize them but unable to speak and on Thursday he succumbed to a second attack. The remains accompanied by F.R. Chantry were brought to Malvern Tuesday and funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon.

Col. A.J. Chantry - - A.J. Chantry, a pioneer of Iowa and one of the outstanding figures in the early history of the state, and particularly of the southwestern section, died at Oceanside, Calif., January 20, 1927.

Allen Joseph Chantry was born in Van Buren County, Iowa, June 13, 1841, the son of Thomas and Hannah Chantry. His father came to this country from Lincolnshire, England, in 1816. His mother was descended from Pennsylvania Revolutionary ancestry. Meeting and marrying in Pennsylvania they established a home in that state where they lived until 1836. They then joined the early movement of the empire westward and settled in Iowa territory, where their son Allen was born. In 1855 the family removed further westward to Guthrie county, where the parents spent the remainder of their days.

The son grew to young manhood amid the hardships and vicissitudes of those early times, yet he managed to acquire a good education through his mother's inspiration, help and guidance. He embraced every opportunity for educational improvement and was always a student and an exceptionally well read man.

His Quaker parents had high regard for education and in those days of no school system his mother conducted, for several years, a neighborhood school in their own home. At the age of 19 the son took up this work and taught school until his enlistment as a private in the 29th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, August 11, 1862. He served throughout the remainder of the Civil War until mustered out on August 24, 1865. During this service he rose through successive ranks to that of captain. His army service was principally in the Western Armies under Generals Steele and Prentice, concluding with the siege and capture of Mobile and service on the Texas border. He led his men in every engagement during those years of war and his first thought was of their comfort and well being. He was exceptionally able as a soldier and officer, and received numerous commendations from his superior officers on his able performance of duty.

At the conclusion of the war he returned to Iowa and located in Page county. Here he built a new home to which he brought his bride, Harriett Adeline Raines of Malvern, on November 16, 1865. Then followed lean years, yet withal so happy - years of struggle and work and building. With bare hands and the crude implements of the time, yet backed by the bravest of hearts and the love of one of the most tender women, he brought his virgin acres under subjection and built a splendid large productive farm. During these years he never rested. His slender means were supplemented by other years of teaching in the public schools and surveying and platting new lands.

By means of his educational ability, his military experience, and his force of character, he soon became recognized as a leader in the new community. He was elected Representative from Page County in the state legislature in 1874 for a two year term and thus took his place as one of Iowa's real pioneer lawmakers.

In 1881 he purchased a farm near Malvern, Ia., and removed to this new home. After a few years he purchased a home in Malvern and brought his family to reside there. In this home the last of his children grew to manhood and womanhood.

In 1888 he was elected Representative to the state legislature from Mills County for a two year term and later to the Senate from Mills and Montgomery Counties, in which body he served with distinction for eight years. During these twelve years his legislative work brought him into intimate association and close friendship with those grand old men - those elder statesmen of Iowa - whose very names spell Iowa's history and progress. Allison, Gear, Hull, Dolliver, Lacy, Larrabee, Hepburn, Young and many other notable characters were his friends and associates. With great pride, he preserved among his private papers, letters expressive of their friendship and of the esteem in which they held him.

In 1912 the wife of his youth preceded him to their new and eternal home. There followed for him a few more years of residence in Malvern and then he took up an abode in Oceanside, California, where the milder climate would make his remaining years more comfortable. During this latter period he came frequently to Malvern and other places where his children lived and always kept closely in touch with them, with a father's whole souled interest and devotion to their welfare.

Nine children were born of his marriage of whom two daughters died in infancy. The remaining seven survive him and are: Marcus A. of Omaha; Warren of Perkins, Okla.; Alfred L. of Sidney, Iowa; Lillian (Mrs. H.T. Beattie) of Malvern; Forrest R. of Malvern; Elsie (Mrs. T.H. Blaylock) of Pasadena, Calif.; and Allan J. Jr. of the United States Navy.

And now, Colonel Chantry passes on after a most eventful life of more than eighty-five and one-half years. Member of the G.A.R., of the Masonic lodge, of the M.E. church, a law-maker, a pioneer, a builder of a state, and a soldier of our nation. Always did he love his home, his state, his country. Always could he be found on the worthy and true side of every enterprise of his community. He always took a stand on every question of life; his character demanded that - and his position was ever with that of truth, of honor and of progress. His family and his state lose all too much in his passing. Representative of his viewpoint at the close of his full and courageous life, the following words seem all too appropriate: "I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith."

Funeral services for the family were held at the H.T. Beattie home at one-thirty and at two o'clock public services were held at the Methodist church conducted by Rev. Paul H. Hicks, assisted by District Supt. M.A. Gable, who preached the sermon. Mrs. Ethel Rhode Dodd sang "The Homeland" and a male quartet, Messrs. J.R. McClymond, R.W. Criswell, S.J. Parker, and J.J. Brittell sang, "Softly Now The Light of Day." The members of Harry Hammons Post, American Legion, acted as guard of honor and attended in a body. The Malvern Fire Department also attended in a body. Beautiful flowers in great profusion testified to the loving remembrance of friends, relatives and societies. Honorary pall bearers were former comrades - C.W. Black and J.H. Suits of Malvern, Jacob Wolfe and E.W. Harding of Red Oak - and old time friends - C.B. Christy, Alf. Wolfe, Dr. J.R. Scott, A.J. Wearin, W. R. Johnson and Wm Stafford. The active pallbearers were the sons and grandsons: Marcus, Warren, Forrest and Allan Chantry and H.T. Beattie and Allen, Keith, and Joe Chantry.

At the cemetery the American Legion gave their ritualistic service and the firing squad fired the regulation salute after which taps were sounded and a benediction closed the last sad rites for this man whom many were pleased to honor.

Friends and relatives from a distance in attendance at the services were Marcus Chantry of Casey, Iowa, Mr. Chantry's only remaining brother; his sons, Warren and son Keith, of Perkins, Oklahoma; Commander Allan J. Chantry of Annapolis, Md., and Mark Chantry and son Allen of Omaha; Alfred Chantry of Newman's Grove, Nebr.; Nile Chantry of Kansas City; Mrs. J.D. Ross of Shenandoah; . . . not legible...... Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Lovitt and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Goodall of Shenandoah; Mr. and Mrs. W.F. Haning of Anderson, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. John Rhode of Tabor; Mr. and Mrs. H.V. Dodd, Mr. S.T. Rhode and Miss Mabel Fichter of Randolph; Wilbur Cozad, Mrs. William Cozad, William Stafford and wife, George Stafford, Mrs. Weidman, E.W. Harding and Jacob Wolfe of Red Oak.