St.
Clair County Obits
W. F. MCCOLLEY
ALBERT TAYLOR STEPHENS
Appleton City Journal
Appleton, Missouri
Jan 30, 1930
Front Page
W.F. McColley, pioneer Resident, Succumbs to Pneumonia Attack
William Fountain McColley was born in central Tennessee, Jan. 20,
1845, and died at this home near Appleton City, Mo Jan. 25, 1930, aged
85 years and 5 days.
Albert Taylor Stephens was born on Oct. 1, 1928, and died Jan 24,
1930, aged 1 year, 3 months, and 20 days.
Both deaths were due to pneumonia, after an illness of only a few
days.
In an impressive double funeral service in the M.E. Church, conducted
by Rev. G. M. Hansford on last Sunday afternoon, a large number of
friends bade farewell to the grandfather and grandson. Together as
they has been much in the brief life of the little boy, so they were
together in death. It seemed almost as though the grandfather held
the little hand in his as they fared forth along the path to the
better land.
The pastor’s impressive sermon was based on a text from the beautiful
book of Job.
The choir, assisted by Mrs. W. N. Watkins in the solo, “I Know He
Cares,” sang favorite songs, including “Gathering Home.”
At the grave of Mr. McColley, the Masonic burial service was carried
out, a large number of his Masonic brethren being present.
When Mr. McColley was four years old his father died and he lived with
his grandfather until 10 years of age. Then his mother married again
and she and her husband and the little boy moved to Southeast
Missouri. He spent his youth there, and at Pilot Knob, Mo., on Aug. 9,
1862 when but 17 years of age, he enlisted in the union army, becoming
a member of Co. D, 30th MO Inf. He saw much service and was in the
siege of Vicksburg, on of the crucial movements of the Civil War.
Young as he was, he made a good soldier and when mustered out Dec 24,
1864, although not yet 20, he was first sergeant of his company.
He was active in the Grand Army of the Republic, to which organization
he belonged for 46 years, being a charter member and commander of J.
B. Stedman Post No. 172 at Appleton City for many years. That post
formerly had over 100 members and now has but seven – J. R. Pickerill,
E. B. Smith, W. H. Wood, C. O. Hedrick, V. L. LaBier, and French Mead
of Appleton City, and P. H. Sullivan of Montrose. Six members have
passed away in a little more than a year, including E. S. Chapin, Jas.
Wyckoff, W. F. McColley of Appleton City; Pat Shea of Rockville, and
Robt. Dugan of Montrose.
Mr. McColley has been a member of the Masonic lodge for 56 years and
has been Worshipful Master several times. He was a charter member of
the local chapter of Royal Arch Masons and the past High Priest of the
chapter. He was a member of Centralia Council of Royal and Select
Masters. He has been treasure of the local Masonic lodge for many
years. He has much to do with the well-being of Masonry in this
community and was largely responsible for the continued growth of the
local bodies, being constant in attendance at all meetings and being
looked up to with love and veneration by the younger members of the
order.
Dec. 20, 1868, W. F. McColley and Miss Florence D. Taylor were married
at Pilot Knob, MO., and soon after moved to the farm near Appleton
City where he continued to live until the end of life. To this home
were born four sons, all now dead; and four daughters; Mrs. Geo.
Bearce, who with her husband have lived for years with the father;
Mrs. C. E. Wyckoff, Mrs. Fred Simpson, and Mrs. William J. Stephens,
the latter three living with a mile of their father. The mother died
Aug. 10, 1903, at the family home. Mr. McColley was the only son of an
grandson bearing his family name
He was active in the life of community, and was a member of the school
board for many years. For 10 or 12 years he was president of the
Merchants Bank, retiring recently at his own request.
W. F. McColley was 85 years young. His outlook on life was not that of
age. He was jovial by disposition and happy in the things that
interest the young. With his grandchildren and other children he
joined as a playmate. He liked to go with a group of younger men on a
fishing trip, and was active and interested in that kind of an outing
as any of them, going frequently and staying a day or two at a fishing
camp near the river. He has a genius for friendship and a wide circle
of friends in all stations of life. On one occasions he said “My
friends are worth more to me that a million dollars.”
On last Thursday morning he prayed with his family and said to them “I
have never gone anywhere without my children, but I am willing to go
this journey without you. Live so that you may come to me.”
His was along life filled with service to his country, the love and
companionship of this family, and the joy of many friends.
Appleton City Journal
Appleton, Missouri
Jan 30, 1930
Page 4
Card of Thanks
We wish in this way to express in a manner our deepest gratitude to
each and everyone of our neighbors and friends that was with us in
word or deed during the sickness and passing of our dear father, W. F.
McColley, and precious babe, Albert Taylor Stephens. The beautiful
flowers were to us almost human in their expression of sympathy and
respect.
May God in His infinite mercy send neighbors and friends to help when
your great sorrow engulfs you.
Mr. and Mrs. Wm Stephens and Family
Mr. and Mrs. George Bearce
Mr. and Mrs. Ed Wyckoff and Ruth
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Simpson
MR. and Mrs. Virgil Bunch
Submitted by Marie Reynolds
