McAllister, Charles W. 1855-1921

MCALLISTER, RUSH

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke--Volunteer
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:36

Source: Hawarden Independent (3-31-1921)

Born: February 7, 1855
Died: March 25, 1921

DEATH OF C. W. MC ALLISTER--DIED SUDDENLY ON TRAIN ON WAY HOME FROM WEST--RESIDENT OF HAWARDEN FOR FOURTEEN YEARS--SURVIVED BY WIFE, THREE SONS AND TWO BROTHERS

News reached Hawarden last Friday evening of the sudden death of C.W. McAllister which occurred about one o’clock that afternoon on a train at Cheyenne, Wyoming. The first week in January Mr. McAllister left Hawarden for California to try the climate of that section for the benefit of his rheumatism with which he suffered greatly during the fall. He spent a most enjoyable winter in and around Los Angeles and was much improved in health when he started home last week. He planned to stop off for a few days at Chugwater, Wyoming to visit a son who resides there and then come on home. His train reached Cheyenne during the forenoon Friday and he had a few hours to wait there before the train for Clugwater was due to depart. It is presumed that he ate his dinner at Cheyenne and then went to take the train for Chugwater. This train is made up at Cheyenne about 1 o’clock each day and is due to leave at 1:15. He purchased his ticket for Chugwater and must have boarded the train as soon as it was made up, because just a few minutes after one o’clock his lifeless body was discovered in a seat in one of the coaches. Death was due to heart failure. As soon as his identity was established by means of letters on his person, his wife and sons here were advised of his death. They at once communicated with his son, Homer McAllister, at Chugwater and he went to Cheyenne at once and accompanied the remains to Hawarden. They reached Alton Sunday noon where they were met by Hawarden friends and the remains were conveyed to Hawarden by auto hearse Sunday afternoon.

Funeral services were held at the Congregational Church at 2:30 Monday afternoon, conducted by Reverend A.M. McIntosch, and were largely attended. Members of the Odd Fellow and Rebekah Lodges, of which orders the deceased had long been a member, attended the services in a body and at the grave in Grace Hill Cemetery the impressive burial service of the odd Fellows order was used. His nephew, Lloyd Ferguson and wife, of Laurens, Iowa, were here to attend the funeral.

Charles W. McAllister was born in Dark County, Ohio, February 7, 1855, and died at Cheyenne, Wyoming, March 25, 1921, at the age of 66 years, 1 month and 18 days. With his parents he came to Poweshiek County, Iowa, when two years of age and has been a resident of Iowa during all the intervening years. When still a young man he went to Iowa County where on February 14, 1877, he was united in marriage with Miss Viola Rush who traveled life’s pathway with him for more than forty-four years. After their marriage they continued to make their home on a farm in Iowa County, and all of their children were born there. In 1890 they moved to the neighboring town of Keswick where they continued to make their home for nine years. In 1899 they moved onto a farm near Laurens, Iowa, but the following year moved to Tipton where they remained for two years. In 1902 they moved to Cedar Rapids and resided there for two years, moving to Mt. Vernon, Iowa, in 1904. In 1907 they came to Hawarden and have since made their home in this city where Mr. McAllister has been engaged in the insurance and real estate business. The deceased was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge for forty-two years and a member of the Rebekah Lodge for more than twenty years. He was always an active worker in both orders.

Besides his wife he is survived by three sons, Dr. F.J. McAllister of Hawarden, Homer McAllister of Chugwater, Wyoming and Harry W. McAllister of Hawarden. He also leaves two brothers, J.H. McAllister of South English, Iowa and W.C. McAllister, who resides in Missouri.

The deceased was a man of forceful character, intense activity and one hundred per cent plus Americanism. During the war he gave freely of his time and talent towards “keeping the home fire burning,” and the fire of his intense patriotism was an inspiration to the loyal citizens of this community.

The sympathy of a wide circle of friends goes out to the sorrowing wife and sons who mourn the loss of a loving and devoted husband and father.