Myers, Charles E. 1846-1917

MYERS, SHIRLAND

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 4/21/2010 at 16:22:31

Grinnell Herald (Grinnell, Iowa)

CHARLES E. MYERS DROPS DEAD

Dies Suddenly Wednesday Evening At His Home in Rock Island.

Charles E. Myers, 70 years of age, a veteran of the Civil war, dropped dead in the bath room at his home in Rock Island Wednesday evening at 6 o'clock. Some time before he had gone to the second floor and his wife becoming alarmed at his continued absence went upstairs to investigate, finding his body lying in the bath room. A brief inquest was held at the home by Coroner John C. Miller. A verdict of death due to heart failure was returned by the jury.

Mr. Myers was born Feb. 22, 1846, in Morley, N.Y., where he grew to manhood. He enlisted in the One Hundred Sixth regiment, New York volunteers, in July, 1862, and served the three years remaining until the close of the war. He was a member of Colonel Townsend's staff and was promoted to corporal for bravery on the field of action. He was present at the surrender of General Lee. At the close of the war he returned to New York state.

He was united in marriage to Miss Marilla A. Shirland at Madrid, N.Y., Oct. 7, 1868. In 1869 the couple came west, first settling in Grinnell, Ia., later removing to Atlantic, Ia., and finally to Des Moines, where Mr. Myers lived until his removal to Rock Island in May, 1905. For a number of years he was engaged in the wholesale coal business there, but had recently retired. He was a member of the G.A.R. and prominent in Masonic circles, being a member of the Knights Templar at Atlantic, Ia., and of the Shrine at Des Moines.

Besides his wife he leaves two sons, Dr. O.M. Myers of Rock Island, and Wilbur Myers, South Bend, Ind., and four sisters.

Short funeral services were held at the home Friday afternoon, conducted by Rev. James Edgar Wilson, pastor of the Broadway Presbyterian church, assisted by Rev. W.G. Oglevee of the South Park Presbyterian church, and Rev. Mr. Wilson.

The body was brought to Grinnell Saturday morning for interment in the family lot in Hazelwood. Accompanying the body were Mrs. C.E. Myers, the two sons, W.M., and Dr. O.M. Myers, and two grandchildren, Zel and Zerda, son and daughter of W.M. Myers. A brief service at the grave was conducted by Rev. E.W. Cross of the Congregational church.

From the record as given above it will be noted that Mr. Myers enlisted in 1862 at the age of sixteen years, and served three years, being a member of one of the regiments participating in the battles just preceding the surrender of Lee. He was one of a party of nine representing three generations, who came from Madrid, N.Y., in 1869, to settle in Grinnell. He is known here best as a member of the grain buying firm of Davis & Myers. He proved exceedingly popular and remained in business here until the early eighties, when with W.J. Harris and C.L. Robberts he went to Lewis, Ia., and engaged in the same business. As noted above he afterwards lived at Atlantic and Des Moines.

Mr. Myers was one of the genial, likable men who made friends everywhere and there are still in Grinnell many friends of the seventies who hold him in high regard.

The funeral party returned to Rock Island Saturday afternoon.