Gantt, Cecil E., 1878-1939

GANTT, JONES

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:34

From the Hawarden Independent, March 23, 1939:

CECIL GANTT DIED SUDDENLY
Succumbed to Heart Attack Early Wednesday
Was 60 Years Old and a Spanish War Veteran—Had Been Engaged in Law Practice Here Since 1913

C. E. Gantt, for more than twenty-five years a well known attorney in Hawarden, passed away in his room at the Gladstone hotel in this city about 12:30 Wednesday morning as the result of a heart attack. Mr. Gantt although not in robust health for the past four years, had been about town as usual during the day Tuesday. He had played a few games of cards at the Gladstone hotel in the late afternoon but as he started for his room about 6 o’clock asked Mrs. D. M. Morgan to call a physician for him. He was found to be suffering from a heart spell and was given medical attention. Later in the evening his condition became aggravated and further ministrations were required, Although evidently in considerable distress he talked and joked with those who came into his room. Some time after midnight when Mr. Morgan visited him he asked that the light be turned out as he felt that he could go to sleep. A few minutes later when Mr. Morgan again went to the room he found that life had slipped peacefully away.

Cecil Gantt was born at Ponca, Neb., September 8, 1878, so was past 60 years of age at the time of his death. While still in his youth he moved to Sioux City with his family and attended the public schools there. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American War he enlisted in one of the Sioux City National Guard companies and served with the 52nd Iowa Infantry at Chickamauga Park until discharged from service. After the war he continued as a member of the National Guard and for some time served as captain of one of the Sioux City units.

He took up the study of law in a private law office and was admitted to the bar. After practicing in Nebraska for a time he came to Hawarden about 1913 and formed a law partnership with J. H. Hutchinson. This partnership continued until Mr. Hutchinson’s death about 1916. For the next fifteen years he maintained an individual law office but in 1931 entered into a partnership with A. D. Coffman which has since continued. About four years ago he suffered a paralytic stroke and was confined to his bed for many months. He never fully recovered from the effects of this stroke although able to devote some attention to his law practice.

All his life Mr. Gantt was a wide and intensive reader. He possessed a brilliant mind and a most retentive memory and during his more active years was held in the highest regard in legal circles for his knowledge and understanding of the law. Some of his written arguments were considered not only legal masterpieces but literary gems as well. For years he served as city attorney of Hawarden. He cared little for the sort of material success for which most men strive but was content to take life as he found it and extract a little enjoyment as he went along. He was strictly honorable in his business transactions and enjoyed the friendship of all with whom he came in contact. For years he took an active part in the work of the Masonic and Odd Fellow lodges and was affiliated at times with other fraternal organizations.

Mr. Gantt never married. He is survived by five brothers, Kenneth, Mack and Ted, all of Casper, Wyo.; Roland of Mojave, Calif.; and Robert of Sioux City, and two sisters, Mrs. Winifred Wood of Pasadena, Calif., and Mrs. Paul Weaver of Ithaca, N.Y. He was an uncle of Mrs. Robert P. Munger of Sioux City.

The body was taken Wednesday evening to the Christy Funeral Home in Morningside and funeral services will be held there, but friends here have not yet learned the day and hour of these services.

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From the Hawarden Independent, March 30, 1939:

LAST RITES FOR CECIL GANTT
Services Held in Sioux City Monday With Military Burial

Funeral services for Cecil E. Gantt, long time attorney in Hawarden who passed away suddenly early last Wednesday morning, were held at the Christy Funeral Home in Sioux City Monday afternoon. Rev. Moore, pastor of one of the Presbyterian churches in Sioux City, conducted the service and interment was made in Graceland cemetery, Sioux City.

Mr. Gantt was a Spanish-American War veteran and military funeral rites were accorded at the grave by members of Two Oakes Post of the American Legion of Hawarden. Along with Lawrence Dagle, post commander, and Burr Preble, the following Legionaires attended in their official capacities: Dale Abbey, sergeant-at-arms; Dave Muilenburg and Louis Wegner, color bearers; Harry Swift and Earl Mullette, color guards; Elmer Younie, Guy Hodgson, Jesse Pardee, E. D. Heumphreus, Park Hudson, Harry Hodoway and Emer Lundgren, members of firing squad, and Rev. “Bob” Chapler, chaplain. The firing squad formed the guard of honor at the funeral home and assisted at the military ceremonies at the grave. Rev. Chapler, on behalf of the United States Government through the Legion Post, presented the flag to the oldest brother of Mr. Gantt. Two buglers were furnished through the courtesy of Monahan Post of the American Legion in Sioux City.

In addition to members of the Two Oakes Post of the American Legion, other Hawarden people who attended the funeral included D. M. Morgan, Ellis Wood, J. H. McNally, Clayton Thompson, Harold Shoemaker, Walter Scott and A. D. Coffman.

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RESEARCH NOTES

His death certificate gives his birth date as Sept. 8, 1877, in Ponca, Neb.; parents William E. Gantt, born in New Castle, Penn., and Caroline Jones, born in Ohio; a lawyer for 30 years; died at the Hawarden Hotel at 12:30 a.m. March 22, 1939; cause, coronary thrombosis; contributory causes, general sclerosis and hypertension. (Personal data supplied by E. J. Gantt, Casper, Wyo.)

His World War I draft registration card (Sept. 1918) gives his full name, Cecil Elbert Gantt, resident of Hawarden, a lawyer, age 40, birth date Sept. 8, 1878; nearest relative W. E. Gantt (father), Elk Point, S.D.; medium height and weight, grey eyes, red-brown hair.

The Hawarden Independent (March 23, 1939) has an advertising card for “GANTT & COFFMAN, Attorneys-at-Law. General Practice in all courts. Special attention given to probating wills and settling estates.”