Person:John McLuen (1)

Year: 1870; Census Place, Dale City, IA; Roll: Page 14, Dwelling No. 106
John McLuen, 21 M W Harness Maker 800 Ireland Father Foreign Mother Foreign
______, Ellen, 20 F W Ohio
______, Fay 1 M W Iowa

John McLuen died Friday morning at his home near Dale City. The cause of his death was an operation for a cancer. About a year ago his arm was taken off in the hope of effecting a cure but the cancer appeared farther up in the joint next to the shoulder and gave him great pain. Thursday the surgeons removed the cancerous growth and after doing up the wound, returned to his home. In some manner the ligatures gave way and resulted in a great loss of blood. They were immediately sent for but upon arrival stated that the loss of blood had been so great he could not live and he passed away Friday morning. John McLuen was a leading citizen of Guthrie county. He was born in Ireland forty-nine years ago and came to country and county in 1860. From, the first he took an active and intelligent interest in all public questions and was recognized as an honorable and upright citizen. He was twice married. By his first wife he became the father of two sons and a daughter. His second wife, who survives him, is the mother of two young children. The funeral occurred Sunday and was attended by hundreds of Guthrie county people, a score going from this place [Guthrie Center]. (this place is Guthrie Center) Rev. Mr. Wickmire conducting the service assisted by Rev. McLuen of Des Moines, Iowa. Guthrian obit

In another Guthrian newspaper article written at the same time these additional items were given: John leaves a wife and five children, the youngest of whom is about two years old, the two oldest being married. He leaves the family in a good fair condition financially. Mr. McLuen came to Panora in 1860 from Ireland where he was born. He learned the harness making business in Panora and started a shop at Dale and afterwards bought a farm and having been married to a Mrs. Williams from near Dale, he moved on to his farm near where he has since lived....He was a peacemaker in all neighborhood troubles and will be much missed...He was buried in the Morrisburg cemetery Sunday afternoon. Seldom or ever has there been such a large funeral in the neighborhood. The service was conducted at the Dale church which would not near accommodate the people. There were about 600 people present and by actual count one hundred and forty six buggies and carriages....This ends the career of another of the early settlers of Guthrie County. His parents died in Ireland. Three brothers and three sisters came to this country. The three sisters are still living somewhere in the west. One brother, Wm. McLuen, a very highly respected citizen of Perry, survives him and was present at the funeral. This family of McLuens are cousins of the family of McLuens of this county (Guthrie) and are old settlers and generally known all over the county. About twenty from Guthrie Center attended the funeral.