|
Transcribed
by
Ann Selvig, from:
Allerton, Iowa Centennial,
UNDERTAKERS
In the very early history of Allerton, the
undertakers were not recorded for about the first 10
years after incorporation. In 1883,
G. R. Huston and Samuel Rinehart. Following
them in 1890, was Isaac Shriver. He sold
his Furniture and Undertaking business to Miner
Chase in 1901.
Mr. Chase passed the Iowa State Board of
Embalming and became Allerton’s first licensed
Mortician.
He remodeled the entire interior of the store
– enlarged it and added a modern Chapel. He served
Allerton for nearly 50 years and during the last
years, he was assisted by his son-in-law, Rev. L. A.
Johnson who held 2 Embalmer’s licenses, Iowa and
Missouri. In
1946 he sold his business to Mr. and Mrs. Warren
Randolph.
Funerals had always been held in the
churches. Mr.
and Mrs. Randolph opened a Funeral Home Jan. 12,
1946, and now nearly all services are held there. It has
since been remodeled.
In Jan., 1970, Mr. Randolph’s son, Roger,
took over this father’s Furniture and Undertaking
Business after his death. He is a
licensed Mortician and Funeral Director. “Bobsleds
Carry
Funeral Party” Allerton
News
– Feb. 14, 1929
“Snow blocks road to Cemetery near Allerton.” When Miss
Nanie Ebberhard, resident of this place, who died
Tuesday, was buried at Richardson Chapel cemetery,
six miles southeast of here Friday, the entire
funeral procession was in bobsleds. The drifts
were four and five feet high and automobiles could
not get through.
It was necessary to go through fields to
reach the cemetery on account of the drifts.
Miner Chase, local Undertaker, says it was
the first time in more than twenty years that he has
had a funeral when bobsleds were used. The Rev.
Alta Nichols, pastor of the Methodist Church here,
who conducted the services says this was the first
time in her life that she ever attended a funeral in
a sled.
|