Frank Conley 1895 - 1925

CONLEY, BURKE

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/30/2022 at 22:14:53

The Anthon Herald
4 November 1925

Frank Conley, 29 year old world war veteran, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Conley, Sr. of this place, passed away in the Battle Mountain Sanitarium for Disabled Soldiers at Hot Springs, South Dakota, at 2:30 o'clock on October 28, 1925. When death touched the sick soldier, the father and mother, sister, Miss Mary Conley, brothers, Ligouri and William, and cousin Frank Hardiman, were at the bedside.

The body was sent to Anthon and the funeral services held Monday morning at ten o'clock in St. Joseph's Catholic Church. the service was in charge of Rev. Father D.K. Hurley, and was attended by many relatives and friends. McNiff Post of the Anthon American Legion attended as a unit in uniform carrying the national flag the fallen soldier had followed in France.

The service at Mt. St. Joseph Cemetery was in charge of McNiff Post and the echo of the firing squad closed the post's last rites over the grave of their departed comrade. The pallbearers were James Burke, Louie Luckel, Cecil Plato, Elmer Phillips, Frank Thompson and Walter Sterrett.

Frank Conley was born November 26, 1895, at Charlotte, Iowa. When a small boy Frank moved with his parents to Tama, and later to Danbury. About sixteen years ago the family moved to Anthon where the father engaged in the draying business. Frank was educated in the St. Joseph's parochial school and was brought up from birth a firm believer in the Catholic faith being at death a member of the Anthon St. Joseph's Church.

Before the entrance of United States in the world war, Frank was employed on his father's dray line. When the troops marched away four Conley boys answered the call to the colors and among them went Frank on the 9th day of May 1918, entering the service at Sioux City. Receiving his preliminary training in this country he was sent to France on August 17, 1918, and with Company H, 34th Infantry saw service on November 9th, 10th and 11th, 1918, with offensive of the Second Army. He also took part in other engagements.

While in France he suffered with the flu and for some time slept on a concrete floor which did not help his condition. The flu hung onto its victim even when Frank arrived home on June 18, 1919. Being honorably discharged he came home and became proprietor of a local dray line. He later formed a partnership with Frank Hardiman. He finally had to give up active work as disease which entered his system while in France continued its deadly work until tuberculosis developed. Everything was done to bring back health but all efforts failed. On June 17th this year, he was taken to the national Soldiers' Home, Battle Mountain Sanitarium at Hot Springs, South Dakota, and the best brains of the medical world could not give relief. With his loved ones displaying wonderful devotion, Frank did not lack for companionship or love during his final days on earth.

Frank Conley was a popular boy in Anthon and had many friends. A lesson from his life can be had from his soldier's discharge papers. He was a model soldier, never absent without leave, and obeyed every order of his superiors. He lost his life for the flag as though he had lost it in the wheat fields of France from which thousands of American boys never returned after that big offensive of 1918. Truly, Frank Conley proved during his earthly life that he was a hundred percent American.

The deceased is survived by his mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. James Conley, Sr.; two sisters, Miss Mary Conley and Mrs. H.D. Fitzpatrick, of this place; five brothers, Jack, Pat, William and James Jr. of this place, and Ligouri of Hot Springs, South Dakota.