STONG, Phil: Died 1957

STONG

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 8/4/2015 at 11:44:24

**Handwritten: April 26, 1957

Heart Attack Is Fatal To Phil Stong

WASHINGTON, CONN.(A) -Phil Stong, author of "State Fair" and other popular books, collapsed and died at his home here today.

Dr. John Simonds, medical examiner, said Stong died of a heart attack.

Stong was a native of Iowa and had resided here the last 24 years.

The 58-year-old Stong was a former newspaperman. He was an editorial writer for the Des Moines Register and Tribune from 1923 to 1925. In 1925-26 he was a wire editor for the Associated Press in New York. Then he joined the North American Newspaper Alliance in 1926.

In 1928 Stong went to the staff of Liberty magazine.

He published "State Fair" in 1932. It was his first book. The story was used as a basis for a movie starring the late Will Rogers. The story had its setting in his native state, with characters from his own community making their annual trek to the fair.

One of his books, "The Hired Man's Elephant," won the New York Herald-Tribune award in 1939.

Born in Keosauqua, Stong received a bachelor of arts degree from Drake university in 1919. He received his L.D. there in 1947. He attended the Columbia university graduate school in 1920-21 and the University of Kansas in 1923-24. He receive his Litt. D. from Parsons college at Fairfield in 1939.

In 1925 he married Virginia Maude Swain, she survives.

Also surviving are his mother, Mrs. Ada Stong of Keosauqua, and two brothers, Jo. S. Stong, Keosauqua attorney, and Benton Stong of Washington, D.C. There are no children.

Among Stong's latest books is "Mississippi Pilot." He also was a magazine contributer.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book E, Page 117, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA

Van Buren Obituaries maintained by Rich Lowe.
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