Dr. Harold A. McWilliams

MCWILLIAMS, BRUGGEMAN, HILTON, FRESHWATER, BECK, PUTNAM

Posted By: Volunteer - Karen DaPra
Date: 10/12/2002 at 06:48:40

DR. H. A. M'WILLIAMS FATALLY INJURED IN AUTO COLLISION
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ACCIDENT HAPPENED NEAR WASHINGTON AT AN EARLY HOUR TUESDAY
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Dr. Harold A. McWilliams, Farmington dentist, suffered a fractured skull and other injuries early Tuesday morning which caused his death on the evening of the same day. He and Arthur Freshwater had attended a meeting of their comrades of Company K, on Monday evening at Washington, Iowa, and were accompanied by Mrs. Freshwater. They were on their way home about 4 a.m. when the automobile which Mr. McWilliams was driving collided with a truck driven by Richard Beck of Indianola on highway number 16 about a mile north of Crawfordsville, or eleven miles southeast of Washington. They were taken to Washington hospital. Dr. McWilliams' skull was fractured in two places.

Mr. Freshwater, age 57, received fractured ribs and bruises. Mrs. Freshwater, age 37, was considerably bruised but no bones broken. They should both be able to return home in a few days.

According to an investigation made by Deputy Sheriff Harold Putnam of Washington county, three trucks belonging to Loren Beck of Indianola, had been parked along east side of highway facing north, with front truck broken down and with flares beside the trucks. Richard Beck, driving the middle truck, had driven into the highway when Dr. McWilliams, driving south, came over a hill and was unable to avoid a collision. The side of the McWilliams' car near the place he was sitting received the greatest damage as he sought to turn his car to avoid the truck. Beck was not seriously injured.

Dr. McWilliams came to Farmington about 26 years ago with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. A. McWilliams. His father was employed for several years in a Farmington hardware store. His father preceded him in death, but his mother survives his untimely passing away, and now makes her home at Columbus Junction. He is also survived by three brothers, Charles, Verne and Dr. Ed. McWilliams.

Dr. McWilliams located in Farmington for the practice of dentistry after graduating at Iowa State university, and has been here since that time, being a successful and very popular practitioner. He was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Bruggeman and to them two daughters were born, Mrs. Hugh Hilton of Mt. Pleasant and Miss Helen McWilliams who is a student in Iowa Wesleyan.

The many friends in southeastern Iowa join in extending their sympathy to the wife and daughters, the mother and brothers, in their sudden bereavement.

Dr. McWilliams had for some time been secretary of the Lions club, or the local commercial organization, being one of the leading workers for the upbuilding of his town and community. His office rooms are in the Farmington State bank building.

Funeral services are being held this afternoon at the Methodist church in Farmington, Rev. H. E. Butler officiating.

(Photocopy of this obit is located on page 44 of Obit Book A found in the Van Buren County Iowa Genealogical Society's collection at the Keosauqua Public Library in November 1999. Name and date of newspaper not given, however the obit immediately following seems to be dated abt 1936 or 1937.)

I am NOT related to this person and am posting this obit for those who may find him/her in their family history.

[Original Post 10 January 2000]