Oakland County MI Archives Obituaries.....Van Wagoner, Philo Orlando August 5, 1919 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Mary Pardo mpardo@direcway.com August 4, 2005, 12:42 am ( County Pioneer (IA) 6 Aug 1919 P. VAN WAGONER SINKS TO REST Funeral of Former Marshal, Sheriff and Fire Chief to be Held Thursday Afternoon In the death of Philo O. Van Wagoner Tuesday morning at 7 o'clock, Ida Grove lost one of her most faithful and conscientious public servants and a citizen of the highest type of worthiness. Mr. Van Wagoner's demise was not unexpected, as he has been in the Valley of the Shadow for many weeks an unconscious condition. He had been in failing health for the last two or three years and his decline became more rapid since last October. In the latter part of April, he was compelled to take to his bed. His affliction was pronounced muscular paralysis. the funeral will take place at the Methodist church at 2:30 Thursday afternoon, i charge of Kane lodge No. 377 A.F. & A.M., i conformity with one of the last conscious wishes of Mr. Van Wagoner, Rev. John T. Pierce will assist the officers of the lodge in paying the last respects to his memory. Burial will be at Ida Grove Cemetery. The pall bearers will be six of the younger members of the local Masonic fraternity. Philo Orlando Van Wagoner was born November 17, 1849 at Oxford, Michigan and was therefore in his seventieth year. He attended school at the Oxford Academy. At the age of twelve, he moved with his parents to this county. When he was sixteen, he began his trade as a stone mason. Mr. Van Wagoner with his wife and baby came to make their home in Iowa in 1881, locating on a farm north of Ida Grove. In 1890, he was elected sheriff and held this office six years, moving into Ida Grove at this time. The grocery firm of Waser and Van Wagoner occupied the next four years of his life. Shortly after that, he was appointed marshal and superintendent of the city water works, discharging these duties over 17 years. For a number of years he served as chief of the fire department, and remained on the honorary roll of membership until the time of his death. Many important improvements in Ida Grove were consummated during Mr. Van Wagoner's long period of service, and under his advice and experienced direction. At the age of sixteen years, he joined the Methodist church and was an active member until recent years when his health began to fail. He has been a member of the Masonic order for 25 years and became affiliated with the Royal Arch Masons, after the installation of Syria chapter here. Mr. Van Wagoner was a member of a large and vigorous family, six members of whom survive him - three brothers and three sisters. These are: Chas. Van Wagoner of Detroit; Otto Van wagoner of Los Angeles and Alvil of Cloister, New Jersey; Mrs. E.R. Day , Flint, Michigan; Mrs. Frank P. Day and Mrs. Tudor Josselyn of Cloister, New Jersey. In the discharge of his public duties, Mr. Van Wagoner was a model official fearless, yet fair; of splendid self control, prudent efficient, diligent, honest unselfish, incorruptible. He was a good citizen and neighbor, conscientious in his dealings with every one. His family held him in the greatest esteem, and on his part he was devoted, tender, patient, generous and God fearing. Additional Comments: From the book "The Van Wagoner Family, A Genealogy" by Philo Van Wagoner File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/oakland/obits/v/vanwagon279gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 3.8 Kb