William Franklin MECHEM

MECHEM, DAWSON, ROSS, THOMAS, GRIFFIN, GRACE, GOSLIN, TILLMAN, HAGUE, SMUTNEY, MCELHINNEY, WILOTH, HONN, BEATTY

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 11/22/2010 at 12:12:40

July 17, 1871 -- August 20, 1954

FRANK MECHEM, 83, PROMINENT PIONEER SUCCUMBS FRIDAY

Frank Mechem, 83, a resident of Wright County for 76 years, died Friday morning at the Clarion Memorial hospital after a long illness. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the Church of Christ with Rev. Calvin Milan officiating. Tom Mikolson sang "Beautiful Garden of Prayer" and "The Old Rugged Cross" accompanied on the organ by Mrs. Calvin Milan. The flowers were arranged by Mrs. Bob Sheffield and Mrs. Dick Woodlin. The pallbearers were nephews of Mr. Mechem: Lewis Mechem, Lynn Mechem, Maurloc Mechem, Max Mechem, Wynn Mechem, and Dorsey Southard. Burial was in the Clarion Evergreen cemetery.

William Franklin Mechem was born July 17, 1871, in Cedar County near Clarence. He was the fifth child of John G. and Matilda [sic. Malinda]Dawson Mechem. When he was 7 years of age, the family moved to Wright County, coming by covered wagon from Cedar County. He attended the Mechem School in Lincoln Township and the Clarion Institute in Clarion. He taught several terms in the rural schools of Norway, Lincoln, and Dayton townships. He attended a business college in Cedar Rapids and the Capital City Commercial College in Des Moines. On Feb. 19, 1902, he was united in marriage with Grace Ross Thomas of Ohio, IL. Last February marked their 52nd anniversary. To this union were born two children: Ross and Lucille, both of Clarion. Mr. Mechem farmed in Grant and Lincoln townships, moving to the present home farm in 1920. After being ill with arteriosclerosis for several years, he passed away early Friday morning, Aug. 20, 1954.

He is survived by one son, John Ross, and one daughter, Grace Lucille; two brothers, John Homer and Arthur O. Mechem; four grandchildren, Mrs. Eleanor Malinda Griffin, Florence Grace, Leslie Ross, and William Franklin Mechem; one great-grandson, William R. Griffin. He was preceded in death by his wife, Grace, just four months ago, and earlier by his parents, three brothers, and two sisters.

Prior to his illness, he was very interested and active in all phases of community improvement. He was one of the organizers of the Clarion Farmers Elevator and was the last surviving member of the first board of directors. He was active in the organization of the farm bureau in Wright County, and served as treasurer for some time. He was on the board of directors of the farmers Mutual Insurance Company and served as treasurer of that group many years. When the Lincoln 4-H clubs were choosing their names, his suggestion of the Lincoln Lassies League and Lincoln Lenders were adopted. He was interested in good government and served his township many terms as a township official. He was a member of the Church of Christ since its organization in this community, and served as teacher and elder in the congregation for many years.

Those attending the services from out of town were Mr. and Mrs. Orville Griffin and son, Billy of Webster City, Mrs. Jessie Goslin of Ft. Dodge, Mr. and Mrs. Wynn Mechem of Geneva, Max Mechem of Eagle Grove, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Tillman of Dows, Mr. and Mrs. Bud Tillman of Des Moines, Corbin Tillman of Iowa Falls, Mr. and Mrs. Galen Hague and sons, Gary and Anthony of Britt, Mrs. Edward Smutney of Newport News, VA., Mrs. B. W. McElhinney of Goldfield, Mrs. Charles Wiloth of Glendale, Calif., and Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Honn of Livermore, Mrs. Howard Hanson of Goldfield, and Mr. and Mrs. Lester Beatty of LaMollie, Ill.

Wright County Monitor, Clarion, IA
August 26, 1954