John Thomas McCraney (1849-1906)

MCCRANEY, ROGERS, PRINDLE, QUIFE, BRAINARD

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 4/9/2017 at 17:01:56

From Nevada Representative August 22, 1906

OBITUARY

DEATH OF EDITOR McCRANEY

J. T. McCraney, editor of the Huxley Argus, died of heat prostration, at his home in Huxley Saturday August 18th. He was a veteran of the Civil War and a lifelong journalist. He leaves a wife and son to mourn his sudden death. The funeral services were held on Monday August 20th in the Lutheran church in Huxley being conducted by Rev. R. E. Harvey of Cambridge. The remains were taken to Nora Springs, Iowa, for interment.

Mr. McCraney had been at Huxley but a short time, and he had not yet formed the personal acquaintance of many of his fellow newspapermen in the county. The appearance of his paper, however, indicated that he thoroughly understood his business, and much regret will be felt that his work in the county should have been so suddenly and sadly terminated. We are not advised what will be the effect of his death upon the continued publication of his paper.

From Nevada Representative August 24, 1906

OBITUARY

EDITOR McCRANEY

John Thomas McCraney was born in Dubuque, Iowa, Febuary 5, 1849 and died in Huxley, Iowa, August 8, 1906.

At the age of fourteen he enlisted in Co. E 27th Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer infantry and rendered faithful service for over two years of the civil war, sustaining one sever wound and contracting ailments from which he suffered for the rest of his life. Coming out of the army he took up journalism as his life work, and engaged in publishing newspapers in various places, the last being at Manley, Iowa, where he published the Argus to which he gave such faithful and energetic service as to win the confidence of the community in his ability as editor and publisher.

Mr. McCraney's parents were members of the Christian denomination and in that faith he was reared, but never untied with any church until about ten years ago, when with his family he joined the Congregational church at Iona, Iowa. On removing from that place he did not transfer his membership to another church, but lived in the practice of the charities and kindnesses taught in the Bible, showing himself ever ready to assist the needy and hapless.

His mother died in his infancy, his father about ten years ago; one brother also is dead and another resides in Creede, Colorado, and a sister in Mitchell, Iowa. On January 24th 1895, Mr. McCraney was married to Mrs. Edith Rogers Prindle. She and the little son born to them and her daughter by her former marriage survive to mourn the loss of a kind companion and loving indulgent father.

The funeral services were held in the Lutheran church in Huxley on Monday August 20. Rev. R. E. Harvey pastor of the M. E. church of Cambridge had charge of the services, and paid high tribute to the gallant soldiers of the war, and the cause of Christ. His scripture lesson was Cor. 3 chapter and Psalm 90 and the Text of the sermon Mat. 25, 13. A choir consisting of Dr. and Mrs. White, Miss Rebecca Johnson and R. Wardrick furnished the music for the occasion.

There were present of relatives from a distance, G. W. Dillon Phg. of Manley, cousin of deceased and Mrs. McCraney's daughter Mrs. Dr. Quife of Mason City, with her husband and daughter, Ruth. A large congregation of sympathizing friends gathered at the house for the funeral, testifying by their presence the esteem in which Mr. McCraney and family were held in the community during their brief residence here.

After the service the remains were taken to Cambridge where they were put on the train for removal to Nora Springs for interment. Mrs. Frank Brainard of Sanborn, Ia., a sister of the bereaved wife will meet the funeral cortege at the place of burial. The prayers and good wishes of the entire community go out to the widow and orphan in this sudden affliction.

May the grace of God abide with them their trial. And thus another old soldier has answered his last Roll Call.