Wright, Earl A. 1875-1948

WRIGHT, SUNDLING

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke --Volunteer
Date: 9/30/2015 at 22:11:50

Source: Hawarden Independent (11-1948)

Born: September 24, 1875
Died: November 6, 1948

FUNERAL SERVICES HELD TUESDAY FOR FORMER RAILROAD MAN WHO CAME HERE IN 1944

Earl Alpheus Wright, 73, died suddenly at their supper table in his home Saturday evening following a heart attack.

Mr. Wright had been in his usual health throughout the day and had extended special courtesies to his wife as it was her birthday.

Mr. Wright came to Hawarden in 1944 several years after he had retired from railroad work. When it was almost impossible to secure someone to take care of the Associated Church and the premises, he consented to be custodian more as a pastime than a job.

Earl Alpheus Wright, the fourth of five children of William A. and Julia Wright, was born September 24, 1875, at La Valle, Wisconsin. As a boy he lived at Ironton, Wisconsin, and as a young man worked in the gold mines in Cripple Creek, Colorado, where he enlisted in the army for the Spanish-American War. He served 22 months under General McArthur in the Philippines, and later was stationed at the Praesidio in California.

He began his railroad work at the age of 29, working as a fireman for the Chicago & North Western Railroad. Four years later he was set up as an engineer. He retired at the age of 65.

He married Erika Sundling December 1, 1914, in Sioux City and they first lived at Redfield, South Dakota, moving in 1916 to Huron where a daughter Betty was born. Upon retiring he moved to Vermillion and in 1944 came to Hawarden.

He was a member of the Brotherhood of Railway Engineers, a Spanish-American War veteran and a Mason.

Survivors are his widow, Erika; one daughter, Mrs. Glenn Owens of Jefferson City, Missouri; a grandson, Gary Owens and a brother and sister, Guy Wright and Mrs. Nelt Atkinson, both of Ironton, Wisconsin. He was a brother-in-law of O.R. Sundling, printer for the Independent.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the Barnard Funeral Home and the Associated Church at 2 o’clock with Reverend Theodore Mansen in charge. The Masonic Lodge was in charge of the graveside services and the ritual was read by John Foasberg of Huron, South Dakota, a brother-in-law of Mr. Wright.

Out of town relatives who attended the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Owens and son Gary of Jefferson City, Missouri, Mr. and Mrs. Nelt Atkinson and Guy Wright of Ironton, Wisconsin, Mr. and Mrs. William Thaenea of Wonewoe, Wisconsin, Mrs. Doyne Clary of Madison, Wisconsin and Mr. and Mrs. John Foasberg of Huron, South Dakota