W. Harry Christy

CHRISTY, ADAMS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/2/2015 at 01:42:14

Northwestern Iowa
Its History and Traditions
1804 – 1926

W. Harry Christy

Among the leading enterprises of Morningside, Sioux City, one of the outstanding successes is the undertaking establishing of W. Harry Christy, which is advantageously located in the Masonic temple, where every facility is provided for the proper handling of his business. Mr. Christy is well qualified by training and experience, as well as by natural aptitude, for the profession which he is so successfully following, and commands his full share of the public patronage in his line. W. Harry Christy is a native of Sioux City and is a son of Mr. and Mrs. W.F. Christy. He attended the public schools here and Osceola Academy, at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He then entered the department of Embalming of the International College of Embalming and Sanitation, a part of the Post-Graduate Medical School of Chicago, where he was graduated in 1912. In the same year he became a licensed embalmer in Iowa, South Dakota, Illinois and Nebraska. On January 1, 1913, he engaged in the practice of his profession at Akron, Iowa, where he remained until 1916, when he loved to Alton, Iowa, where he became identified with and was made vice president of the Sioux Furniture Company, which operated five furniture and undertaking establishments, at Alton, Orange City, Maurice, Rock Valley and Sheldon, all in Iowa. In June 1921, Mr. Christy severed his connection with that company and in the following December came to Morningside, Sioux City, and established his present business, having at that time the only exclusively undertaking business in Morningside. In the New Masonic temple, at 4110-12 Morningside Avenue, of which he was the first tenant, he established one of the most elaborate and thoroughly equipped mortuaries in the city, including Sioux City’s most beautiful private funeral chapel, parlors for families, operating room, rest room and attendant’s quarters.

A twenty-four-hour ambulance service is maintained. By his thoughtful and intelligent attention to the desires and needs of those who seek his service, Mr. Christy has not only built up one of the largest clienteles in the city, but has also gained a large circle of loyal and appreciative friends.

On April 19, 1913, Mr. Christy was united in marriage to Miss Eva Adams, of Akron, Iowa, a daughter of the late Bart R. Adams, one of the earlier pioneer settlers of Plymouth County, Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Christy has been born a daughter, Eunice. Mr. Christy is a member of Morningside Lodge, No. 615, A.F. and A.M.; Sunrise Chapter, No. 141, R.A.M.; Lodge, No. 684, I.O.O.F., and Sun Dance Camp, No. 184, M.W.A. He also belongs to the Hi-Twelve Luncheon Club, the Morningside Country Club and was one of the organizers of the Morningside Commercial Club, serving for two years as its first secretary, and is now a member of its board of directors; he is also a member of the Morningside planning commission and has taken a commendable interest in all civic affairs, cooperating in the support of all movements for the betterment of the community. While living at Alton, Iowa, Mr. Christy was elected coroner of Sioux County, serving one term. He is wide awake and progressive in his business methods, one of the evidence of which was his installation of a complete fleet of Cadillac cars, limousine hearse, Cadillac ambulance, pall bearers’ coach, and funeral sedan cars. Other up-to-date features of his equipment testify to his determination to leave nothing undone that will held in making his service as complete and satisfactory as it is possible to make it. He is at all times courteous and friendly, kindly and sympathetic, and he has so conducted his affairs as to win the respect and esteem of his fellowmen.