Cessna, John Thomas 1862-1946

CESSNA, KOERNER, BROWN, HEWITT, VANCE, STODDARD, MERRILL

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 12/19/2010 at 12:15:57

The Grinnell Herald-Register; April 23, 1946

JOHN THOMAS CESSNA

John Thomas Cessna, the son of Thomas R. Cessna and Sarah Koerner Cessna, was born in Scott county, Iowa, Oct. 25, 1862. He lived with his parents on a farm near Blue Grass. After graduating from the Davenport Academy he attended college for a time at both Cornell and Grinnell.

He was married to Elsie Jane Brown of Mason City, March 22, 1888, and she remained his loyal companion for 58 years. He brought his bride to Grinnell, where they lived on a farm for a few years. They later moved to Grinnell. He was ever much interested in Grinnell. He served on the school board for a number of years and was its president for a considerable period. He was an active member of the Methodist church, having been its treasurer for several years. He was affiliated for a time with the Elks lodge and the Knights of Pythias. During most of his life in Grinnell he was a traveling collector for the Spaulding Manufacturing company. He at one time was associated with Andrew Foster in the stock buying business and with Frank Marvin in the Building and Loan association.

His four children were all born in Grinnell: Elsie Gladys, now Mrs. Henry M. Hewitt of Des Moines; Fannie Blythe, now Mrs. Thomas F. Vance of Ames; John Thomas Cessna, Jr., of Milwaukee; and Mildred Koerner Brown, now Mrs. Bela M. Stoddard of Monticello, Ill.

In 1922, having retired from active business, he moved to Ames where he resided until the time of his death, April 23, 1946. He was a member of the Collegiate Presbyterian church of Ames. During the later years of his life, as his strength was ebbing, he enjoyed several winters in California. As late as five years before his passing he built a new house at 2636 Lincoln Way where his widow resides.

He rejoiced in his seven grandchildren: John Thomas Cessna, the third; Virginia Blythe, Paul, and Franklin Vance; and Bela, John, and Bertel Stoddard. Within the last two years of his life he had the joy of being the great-grandfather of two little great-granddaughters: Cynthia Louise Merrill and Ellen Christine Vance; and one great-grandson, John Thomas Cessna, IV.

His wife, four children, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren all survive him to mourn their loss but to revere his memory.

Death came as a release from several months of illness which offered no hope of recovery.

Two services were held in his memory, Friday, April 26, at Ames with Dr. Nicols of the Collegiate Methodist church in charge and at Grinnell with Rev. C.D. Loose of the Methodist church as minister. His sons and grandsons bore him tenderly to his final resting place in Hazelwood cemetery, where he rests with his father and mother.