This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Spurgeon, Wray, Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/SMB.2ACI/1004 Message Board Post: Cole Camp Courier - 11 February 1909: "FRANK SPURGEON IS DEAD." He Passed Away at His Home Last Monday, after a Week's Illness. Was Laid to Rest in the parks Cemetery Tuesday. "Frank Spurgeon is dead." This message flew over our little city last Monday morning as on wings of wind, and whereever it was heard it left sorrow, and the expressions of sympathy for the bereaved ones were many and from the heart. The deceased had been in failing health for the past two years but continued at his post of business untill within a week of his death. he was afflicted with liver trouble and had been advised by his physican, family and friends for many months past to take a vacation and rest up. He had decided to do so and had made arrangements to leave of Sunday oen week ago, but went home from his store on Saturday evening feeling worse. He went to bed with a chill and never recovered. C. F. Spurgeon was born September 25, 1860 in Adams county, Ohio and died March 8, 1909, aged 48 years, 6 months and 12 days. He came to Missouri with his aprents in 1868, locating at Laclede, Mo., where he secured his education. He came to Cole Camp in June, 1893 and opened a jewelry store and has remained here in that business ever since. He was untied in marriage November 14, 1896, to Miss Rena A. Wray. Four children were born to this union, three of whom, two daughters and one son, together with is wife, survive him. he was one of Cole Camp's most energed and enterprising citizens and gave much of his time, labor and money to the advancement of our little city. His worth was recognized by his fello citizens and many times was he chosen to fill offices of honor and trust. he was first chosen as President of the village Board of Trustees and afterwards was elected as mayor of our city three terms. He was a member of the I.O.O.F., the M.W.A., the Maccabees and the Yeomen lodges and held offices in each. He was one of the most faithful in attendance at the meetings and in working for their upbuilding. It would be vain for us to for us to attempt to estimate how much this community owes him and such as he, though it would be a grateful task to trace his influence through some of the more direct channels in his various characters of husband, father, neighbor and friend, but it comes not within the scope of this brief article to do so. He was a devoted husband and a kind, indulgent father, and to his friends he was the soul of fellowship. His devotion to his wife and family and his kindness to everybody will long linger as a fragrant memory in the home which his presence brightened and which death has now darkened. Though he is gone, his record has been made and is as a lasting treasure. In his heart he carried those he loved, and his hand was never weary, his step never faltered in caring for and ministering to those who were in any way dependent upon him. As soon as it was learned that Frank Spurgeon was dead, the various lodges to which he belonged, held a mass meeting in the ladge room and passed a resolution requesting the Mayor to issue a proclamation requesting that all business houses be closed from 1 o'clock until 3 on Tuesday afternoon during the funeral services. This the mayor did. At this meeting the lodges appointed the following to act as pallbeareres: Louis Knoop, E. G. Bylander, a. E. Wright, E. S. Tucker, George F. Freund and R. L. Carson. The following were named as honorary pallbeareres: Dr. M. Dick, M. D. Moore, J. L. Ahrens, Mark Houser, Nurge parks, rudolph Tobalben, C. C. Parks, Dr. H. V. euloe, e. Schwald and Henry Postel. The funeral services were held at the Congregational church at 1:30 o'clock Tuesday. Rev. J. A. Sartin officiating and paying a beautiful tribute to the memory of the deceased. The casket was covered by beautiful floral designs, in dact the floral offerings surpassed in profusion and beauty anything ever seen here before. The interment was in the Parks cemetery. The services at the grave were conducted by the Modern Woodmen and Yeomen lodges.