HARRY A. SIMRELL

 

Obituary

      Harry A. Simrell, son of Dr. and Mrs. John Simrell was born July 15, 1886 in Cedar County Missouri. Died May 29, 1939 at Springfield Baptist Hospital, aged 52 years, 10 months, 14 days.

     He was married to Hester Cowan, March 29, 1924. To this union was born one daughter, Zella Lee, who with her mother survives. He also leaves a daughter by a former marriage, Mrs. Mildred Allen and two children of Nevada, Missouri, an aged mother; two sisters, Mrs. Sue Havenhill and Mrs. Flora Moore, a brother, Carl Simrell; and a half sister Mrs. Flora Kennedy to mourn his passing.

     Dr. Simrell attended Loyola University in Chicago. Graduated June 1913, practicing 27 years in Cedar County where he was a beloved and successful physician.

     He was a man of splendid personality and attained many honors in his profession. He was Past President of the Vernon and Cedar County Medical society and while serving in that capacity gave to the New Nevada Hospital, a new Oxygen tent to help fight that dread disease, Pneumonia. This Hospital has a corner store in memory of this gift.

     He was a member of the American Medical and State Medical Association, which bodies held him in high esteem.

     A call for help was never refused unless too ill to answer and often left his sick bed to attend the suffering regardless of their financial condition.

     For years he was prominent in political affairs of the county had been Chairman of the Republican County Committee and delegate to the district convention.

     At the time of his death he was Cedar County's representative in the State Legislature, having been elected in 1938. He became ill while attending the 39th session and serving on six committees of that body.

     Dr. Simrell became a member of the Baptist Church when a boy and during his last days renewed his fellowship with his brethren. He was an active member of the Masonic, Odd Fellow and Modern Woodman Lodges.

     His kindness and generosity will be long remembered by a host of friends who with his family will sadly miss him.

     May those who mourn him be comforted by the remembrance of his good deeds.

The Stockton Journal, Stockton, Missouri; Wednesday 31 May 1939 page 1.

 

Dr. Simrell Passed Away

     Dr. H. A. Simrell, passed away at the Springfield Baptist hospital early Monday morning. He had been in ill health for the past year or so, and the strenuous task of trying to attend to his wide practice in this section combined with taking care of his duties as Cedar County Representative, brought on a stroke from which he never fully recovered. A week ago he suddenly became weaker after showing some improvement. He was rushed to the hospital where he lapsed into unconsciousness sinking slowly away.

     Dr. Simrell was known to practically everyone in this county as well as having a wide acquaintance in surrounding counties. No weather was too bad for "Doc" as he was lovingly called, to answer a call. Many were the errands of mercy he went on knowing full well that he would never receive any pay for it.

     With his passing Stockton loses its last home county born Doctor.

     We could write columns of the good deeds that "Doc" performed but we know he wouldn't want it that way. Suffice to say we down here on Wall street will miss him and his little thoughtful deeds of kindness, such as bringing in a pitcher of ice water from his drugstore next door, to our office force when we were exceptionally busy. The remembrance of a box of strawberries, out of season, and last but not least his willingness to help out when we needed information about any family living in the county.

     We join the host of friends of bereaved in tendering deepest sympathy.

     Funeral services were conducted Wednesday afternoon at the Baptist Church. Interment was in the City Cemetery,

The Stockton Journal, Stockton, Missouri; Wednesday 31 May 1939 page 1.

 

DR. HARRY A. SIMRELL DIED MONDAY MORNING.

   Dr. Harry A. Simrell passed away 15 2:30 o'clock, Monday morning, May 29, 1939 at the Springfield Baptist Hospital in Springfield. Dr. Simrell had been very ill for more than two months.  He made some noticeable improvement two or three weeks ago, but soon became so much worse that he was taken to the hospital on Tuesday morning of last week.

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   Harry A. Simrell was a son of Dr. John D. and Sudie Masters Simrell and was born in Washington township of Cedar county, Missouri, on July 15, 1886; and was of the age of 52 years, 10 months and 14 days at his death.

   Dr. Harry Simrell had a very hard time acquiring an education and it was his great desire to be a physician like his father that caused him to work and work hard to gain the education he needed. Dr. Simrell attended Loyola University in Chicago and graduated in June 1913. It seemed that he had inherited some natural ability for his chosen profession. With that gift and by his hard study he became known as an exceptionally good diagnostician by many prominent physicians who became acquainted with him. He spent his entire life in Cedar county except while attending medical schools. He kept an office at Cedar Springs, Caplinger Mills and in Stockton at different times. His practice extended into an exceeding large number of the homes in Stockton and in all the rural sections of Cedar county. He frequently answered calls in adjoining counties. He was a man of splendid personality and attained many honors in his profession. He was Past President of the Vernon and Cedar Count. Medical Society and while serving in that capacity gave to the New Nevada Hospital, a new oxygen tent to help fight that dreaded disease, pneumonia. This Hospital has a tablet in memory of this gift. He was also a member of the American Medical and State Medical Associations, which bodies held him in high esteem.

   He was always, from the time he became a voter, interested in politics and was a Republican who had been honored with the office of coroner, member of the party committee from Washington township, chairman of the county committee, member of the Sixth District and of the State Committees. He was elected representative of Cedar county at the last election and was a member of the House of Representatives at the time of his death.

   He was married to Hester Cowan, March 29, 1924. To this union was on one daughter, Zella Lee, who with her mother survives. He also leaves a daughter by a former marriage, Mrs. Mildred Allen and two children of Nevada, Missouri; an aged mother; two sisters, Mrs. Sue Havenhill and Mrs. Flora Moor, a brother Carl Simrell; and a half sister, Mrs. Flora Kennedy to mourn his passing.
   Dr. Simrell became a member of the Baptist Church when a boy and during his last days renewed his fellowship with his brethren. He was an active member of the Masonic, Odd Fellow and Modern Woodmen Lodges.
   His kindness and generosity will be long remembered by a host of friends who with his family will sadly miss him.
   May those who mourn him be comforted by the remembrance of his good deeds.
   For the last three years he was associated in the Square Deal Drug Store with Miss Florence Smith, RN. a very capable young woman who as a nurse rendered him valuable assistance in the practice of his profession.

   On Monday the House of Representative was notified of Dr. Simrell's death. Speaker Pro Tem Ed. R. Caldwell named the following delegation to attend the funeral services: Representatives Robert L. Ewing of Vernon county, Albert Gaston of St. Clair; Daniel O'Bryan, of Mississippi; Albert T. Parrish, of Greene; C. W. Kemm, of Barton; H. S. Rainwater of Polk; C. P Junge, of Benton; William Barton, of Montgomery.

   The funeral services were conducted at the Baptist church, Wednesday afternoon. Elder A. M. Weaver assisted by Elder L. L. Tucker was in charge. Elder Weaver preached a very appropriate sermon. The Stockton Lodge A. F. & A. M. No. _83 conducted Masonic rites. F. W. _arker, undertaker of Fair Play assisted by Mr. Irwin of Bolivar and C. W. Neale were the directors.

   Twelve flower girls were in charge of the many floral tributes which were indeed most beautiful.
   The attendance was the largest ever assembled at a funeral in Stockton.

   All members of the committee appointed by the House of Representative were present and also Senator Bert Bradley. J. C. Garrett, reading clerk of the Senate and Representative and Mrs. Farrer of Dallas county. Many members of the Masonic lodges at Jerico Springs, Arcola, Fair Play, and El Dorado Springs attended. Several physicians came from other towns.

   The casket bearers were friends of his former home communities Cedar and Washington townships.
   The hymn service was by Virgil Curl, Jack Gunier, Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Hoff and Miss Clarice Dixon.
It took more than thirty minutes for the large number of people to view the remains.

Cedar County Republican, Stockton, Missouri; Thursday 1 June 1939 page 1

 

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