Obituaries I to M

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McCune, Alexander C. – 2/21/1920

Alexander C. McCune died at Boswell, Cambria county, Saturday. He was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. J. A. C. McCune, and was formerly well-known here. He is survived by two sisters: Mrs. John B. Bratton of Carlisle and Mrs. McClelland ¹

McCune, Edmund J. – 1/26/1902

E. J. McCune Dead
Special to the Patriot
Shippensburg, March 26. E. J. McCune, secretary of the Shippensburg state normal school for many years, and manager of the Chambersburg, Carlisle and Harrisburg turnpike company, died suddenly here this morning. Mr. McCune had been ill for some time butit was thought that his condition was not serious. He is survived by three daughters and two sons. He was sixty-five years old. the funeral will be held Friday morning at 2 o’clock from the house. ²

McCune, Elizabeth [Rankin] – 1/1906

Died in New York

Shippensburg, Jane 19. – Mrs. Elizabeth, widow of J. A. C. McCune, died in New York city on Wednesday, aged 60 years. She was a daughter of the late Dr. William Rankin, of this place, and is survived by five children: Mrs. Walter C. Weston, New York; Alex. C, Philadelphia; William, Lancaster; Miss Elizabeth, this place; Mrs. J. B. Bratton, of Carlisle. The body was brought her and the funeral took place this afternoon. ³

McCune, Hugh – 10/4/1888

Mr. Hugh McCune, of Newton township, died Thursday,the 4th of October. his age was three-score years and ten, or probably he was a little older. He was the last survivor in this county of a family of five sons and five daughter, the children of Hugh McCune and Rebecca (Brady) McCune, who were all born and reared on the spot where he died; and his is the last survivor of a generation numerously connected, who lived in the immediate vicinity. He was a farmer, and his life was that of a conscientious, industrious and faithful member of the community in which he spent his days. His example was one that is not likely to even attract much of the applause so often sought after. He exacted his own, but was equally rigorous in rendering unto others their dues. He was a strictly honest man and an exemplary member of the Church (Presbyterian) to which he belonged.

Mr. McCune never married. After the death of his brother Joseph, his widow, Mrs. Sallie McCune, remained with Hugh and continued the management of the household. To her he was indebted for every comfort in his declining years and in his last sickness. ⁴

McCune, John A. C. – 4/14/1895

Death Of J. A. C. McCune, Esq.

An Eventful History

After a long period of ill health, which, however, assumed a fatal form only about a week before his death, John A. C. McCune, Esq., for twenty-seven years a leading lawyer of this community and widely known, died at his home on Normal avenue Sunday, April 14, shortly after two o’clock in the afternoon. Mr. McCune had taken his bed On Saturday, April 6, suffering from rheumatism, growing out of Bright’s disease, with which he had been afflicted for some time, and on Wednesday following was seized with apoplexy which reudered his case hopeless. From that time he sank into a state of coma, from which he only partially aroused at rare intervals, and passed away in an unconscious condition. He leaves a wife, who was Miss ElIzabeth Rankin, daughter of the late Dr. William Rankin, to whom he was married in 1868, and five children, Mrs. Carrie Weston, of New York, Alex. C., of Philadelphia, William A, of Sewickley, Pa., and Mary and Lillie at home. All were at his bedside when the end came.

The early life of Mr. McCune was so eventful and full of adventure that the history of it reads like a roance. From one who was well acquainted with his entire life we obtained the following account:

Mr. McCune was born on December 3, 1827, a half mile south of Middle Spring Presbyterian church, and in the immediate vicinity of the spot where his great-grandfather, Captain Samuel McCune, one of the early pioneers of the valley, took up his abode 1731 to 1733. His father, Alexander McCune, was a farmer and miller, and the early years of his life were passed on the farm. He attended school at the country school known as Shady Grove, having for a teacher during the latter years of his attendance Dr. John McLean, of Fayettesville, Franklin county, who boarded in his father’s family, and, with whom, out of school hours, he studied surveying, algebra, etc., not then taught in the common schools. He then attended a private classical school in Shippensburg under the care of Prof. James Huston.

In 1845, he entered the store of John Fulwiler, as clerk, in the building lately torn down, adjoining the residence of the late Nannie Harper. In 18449 he began reading law with R.P. McClure, Esq., but in the early spring of 1850 was carried away with the gold fever, resulting from the discoveries of gold in California, and inthe first part of April, embarked from New York by way of Panama for the New El Dorado. This trip was made, on both sides of the Isthmus, in sailing vessels, and with the crossing of the Isthmus occupied over four months. Owing to the crowded condition of the ships, and insufficient supplies, the voyage was far from being pleasant.

On his arrival in San Francisco, Mr. McCune at once proceeded to the mines and for nearly two years was engaged in mining on the Yube river, near Rough and Ready. Having, by hard work and frugality, made some money in the mines, his thoughts turned homeward, but attracted by the allurements of speculation, he, in company with some business friends in Sacramento, charted a sailing vessel and went to Astoria, Oregon, and purchased a shipload of hogs, which at that time were commanding almost fabulous prices in the state of California. With his all staked on this venture and with high anticipations of fortune, they set sail for San Francisco. But man proposes–God disposes. A few days out the ship encountered violent storms, and for nine days was entirely at the mercy of the winds. The decks were washed with the waves and all the hogs drowned and washed overboard.

The ship, being entirely dismnatled drifted with the storm and finally found shelter in one of the inlets fo Puget Sound on the southern coast of Vancouver’s Island. Here they remained for about six months. The coast being uninhabited and so far north and of the line of travel, the ship’s officers had no chart and were entirely ignorant of where they were. Establishing communication with the land they procured fuel from the dwarf cedars, with which the island was covered, and a supply of food by scraping from the rocks at low tide the small mussels, which covered them thickly. In the Spring following they were visited by some Indians, who cam einto the Sound for the purpose of fishing. By means of signs they were able to communicate with them and ascertained that the Indians knew of white men inland, from whom they obtained axes, ammunition, etc. They accompanied the Indians and after a considerable journey reached Walla Walla, a station of the Hudson Bay Fur Company, on one of the tributaries of the Columbia River, about two hundred miles form Astoria, from where they had set sail some six months previous.

When he arrived at San Francisco, on his return to California, Mr. McCune found that the American Hotel, where he had left all his effects when leaving for the Oregon, had been burned, so that he was short on everything except helath and energy. During this period, no tidings having ever been heard of the ship after sailing, it was reported as lost at sea, and his friends having received letters written onthe day of sailing, and knwowing of the non-arrival of the ship at San Francisco, gave up hope of his return and mourned him as dead.

Upon his return to California he established an Express for the delivery of letters throughout the mining camps of the state, visiting San Francisco onthe arrivla of the steamers from the states with mail, and lifting letters for those for whom he had orders to do so. This service he performed himslef, carrying his mail on pack mules and receiving $1.00 for the delivery of a letter, usually in gold dust, in which, after realizing some money from the business, he began to deal, making a considerable profit on the resale to the bankers at San Francisco. After establishing this business he sold it out to other parties and engaged in the lumber business in Sacramento, and in a cattle ranch in Solano County, Cal., both of which by fire, floods, and drought, proved disastrous.

In 1865, he left California for Mexico to join his brother E. J. McCune, then in business in the city of Mexico. Landing at Matzalan, on the west coast, he bought a horse and rode the entire distance alone, and this during the time of the French occupation of Mexico, when the country was overrun with Guerilla and other lawless bands of banditti, fighting under one flag or the other, and often under neither. After spending the summer in the City of Mexico he returned to the States and to Shippensburg, and after an absence of nearly sixteen years, resumed the reading of law with his old preceptor, R.P. McClure, Esq., and was admitted to the bar in 1867. In the spring of 1868, Mr. McClure’s health became impaired, followed by mental weakness, which required his removal to an asylum, and Mr. McCune fell heir to a considerable portion of his practice, which he continued to enjoy during the years since intervening.

From the time that Mr. McCune returned to this town he took his place as one of its leading citizens, and continued to maintain that distinction, his influence increasing as the years went by. He was one of the men who secured the Normal School for this place and from the first was closely identified with its interests, giving freely of his time and money to help place it on its feet. As the time of his death he was treasurer of the institution, having held that position for a number of years. He was a Democrat in politics and in 1886 was appointed postmaster at Shippensburg by President Cleveland and served the full term, four years, with entire satisfaction to the patrons of the office.

An appreciative friend sends the following tribute:

Mr. McCune was a man of marked individuality, This was made evident to everyone who came in contact with him. Possessing a courtly dignity and graciousness of demeanor that made him never either offensive or haughty in manner, no one, not even his most intimate associates woudl have presumed to take the slightest familiarity with him in speech or behavior. Yet the smallest child or the most obscure citizen in need of his help or counsel could approach him without the least fear os embarrassment. We believe we say what will be accepted by every one who knew him, that since his residence here no one has surpassed, if indeed, anyone has equalled him in those lofty attributes which are indispensable tothe highest standard of social and business amenity. It would be too much to say, nor would it be flattery to say that he excited no antagonisms in his life. A positive character like his must necessarily do so. As the late Judge Watts used to say, “The man who has no enemies must necessarily be a fool.” Mr. McCune’s antagonisms were those which grew out of an unavoidable difference of interests or an honest difference of opinion. They were not born of envy not nurtured in malice.

It is not hard to tell wherein lay the strength of Mr McCune’s character and the greatness of his life. He was the soul of honor. All the kingdoms of the earth laid at his feet would not have tempted him to barter his consciously superior manhood. Nature stamped him a nobleman, and no pottage of favor or flattery could buy his birthright. He cared for honor more than he cared for wealth or power.

McCune, Joseph Carl – 58/20//1954

Services are Held for J. Carl McCune

Local Man Dies of Heart Attack White at Work on Friday

Was Well Known

Funerla services were held Monday at 3 p.m., at the Van Scyoe funeral home in Shipensburg ,for Joseph Carl McCune, 51, who died unexpectedly Friday while at work at the Valley Baking compnay plant on South Penn st., Shippensburg. Death was casued by a coronary occlusion.

Mr. McCune, who lived at 59 West King st., Shippensburg, had been helping at the plant for several weeks, while regular employees were on vacation.

He was the son of the late Joseph Calvin and Mary Margaret Foust McCune and was born near Greenvillage on Nov. 9, 1902.

He was a member of the Cumberland Valley Hose company of Shippensburg, the Cumberland County Firemen’s Association, the Shippensburg Fish and Game association, the Loyal Order of the Moose of Carlisle, the Minnequa club of Shippensburg, the American Legion home association and of the F. and M. 338 of New Albany, Ind.

Mr. McCune atended the Shippensburg public schools and at the time of his death was Democratic committeeman fpr the West Ward

He is survived by three siters; Miss Laura B. McCune of 59 West King st., Shippensburg; Mrs. Charles E. McClary of Chambersburg R.R. 5, and Mrs. Grace McCune Greeger of Havertown, PA.

Rev. John F. Sammel, pastor of the memorial Lutheran church of Shippensburg, offic iated at the services Monday afternoonn. Burial was in Spring Hill cemetery.

On the maternal side Mr. McCune was a descendant of the Beetham family of Cumberland county an on the paternal side of the Chambers family of Chambersburg. ⁵

McCune, Margaret E. [Kyner] – 1/5/1943

Mrs. Margaret E. McCune, wife of H. S. McCune, died Tuesday at her home, 102 South Fayette street. She had been in failing health for a year and critically ill for some time.

Born January 14, 1875, in Franklin county, Mrs. McCune was a daughter of the late Frank and Ann Clark Kyner. She was married to H. S. McCune, May 25, 1893, and they would have celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary this spring.

Mrs. McCune was a member of the Presbyterian Church, where she was a faithful and active worker for many years. She serveda number of years as secretary of the Dorcas Woman’s Bible class, until compelled to resign recently because of ill health.

in adition ot her husband, she is survived by two sons, Frank and Morris McCune, both of Shippensburg; a granddaughter, Jean Ramsey, of the home, and six other grandchildren; there brothers and sisters, RObert Kyner, Geneseo, Illinois; Arra Keefer, Chambersburg; Leah Baker, Shippensburg, and Edson Kyner, Chanbersburg.

Funeral services will be held from the J. Beattie Barbour funeral home Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock, with the Rev. William H. Galbreath officiating. Burial will be made in Spring Hill cemetery. ⁶

McCune, Margaret [Quigley] – 2/18/1946

Mrs. McCune Dies at Daughter’s Home

Mrs. Margaret Quigley McCune, 83, of 329 East Burd street, died after an illness of three days at the home of her daughter, Marjorie, Mrs. J. Maclay Kelley, Mechanicsburg, at 3:30 o’clock Monday afternoon,February 18. She and her husband, William E. McCune, had been spending the winter with their daughter at Mechanicsburg when Mrs. McCune was taken ill.

Mrs. McCune was an active member of the Middle Spring Presbyterian Church and a participant in all the activities of the community. She was born Decmber 16, 1862,in Cumberland county, the daughter of the later James and Elizabeth Hemphill Quigley. She became the wife of William E. McCune in 1890.

In addition to her husband she is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Chalmer P. Means, Shippensburg, R.R.1; Mrs. Glenn A. Lehman, Waynesboro; and Mrs. J. Maclay Kelley, Mechanicsburg; also by 10 grandchildren and one great grandson.

Furneral services were held at the Van Scyoc funeral chapel at 2 o’clock Thrusday afternoonn, conducted by Rev. Edward Ardis, of Silver Spring, assisted by Rev. William H. Galbreath of the Shippensburg Presbyterian church. Interment was at the Middle Spring cemetery. ⁷

McCune, Mary [Colwell] – 7/11/1881

Death of Mrs. Mary C. McCune

Mrs. Mary C. McCune, who died at the residence of her son-in-law, Mr. John I. Cox, near this borough, on Saturday morning last, had been an invalid for several years, but was only confined to her bed a short time before her death.

She was the wife of the late Alexander McCune, of Middle Spring, and was born June 15, 1803, at Colwell’s Mill (now owned by Henry Houser) near this borough. She was the daughter of John Colwell who built the mill just mentioned, together with the stone dwelling nearby. Her mother died when she was about one year old and she was then taken to the home of her grandfather, Samuel Cox, in Southampton Township, Franklin County, where she resided until her marriage with Alexander McCune, deceased, in May 1822. She resided for many years at the mill below Middle Spring, now owned by Samuel Myers, and in early life connected herself with the Presbyterian Church at Middle Spring and continued her membership until a few years ago, when she withdrew and connected herself with the church at Shippensburg. She was devotedly attached to her church, and was regularly in attendance until the past three or four years, when her infirmities compelled her to remain indoors. Mrs. McCune leaves the following children: Samuel C. McCune, Ralls Co., MO; J.A.C. McCune; Kezia M. Cox, wife of John I. Cox; and E. J. McCune, Shippensburg. One son, her youngest child, died in infancy. She also leaves three sisters: Mrs. David Hayes, Mrs. Jane Phillips, and Miss Elizabeth Colwell, who reside in Shippensburg. Her only brother, Captain James Colwell, a member of the Cumberland County bar, was killed at the battle of Antietam. We understand that it is her request that Samuel, John A. C. and E. J. McCune, and her son-in-law, John I. Cox, act as pallbearers, which duty was discharged by those persons. The funeral services were conducted by Revs. W. C. McCarrell and Joseph Mahon, and the remains were interred in Spring Hill Cemetery. Her age was seventy-eight years.

Mrs. McCune received her education in the Moravian Seminary, at Lititz, Pa., and was, in all respects, an exemplary Christian woman. She was of a quiet, gentle disposition, undemonstrative and retiring in the presence of strangers, but of a warm, sympathetic nature and much loved by a large circle of family and friends.

McCune, Mary [Duncan] – 2/20/1934

Funeral Rites for Mrs. Mary McCune Friday

Widow of Samuel B. McCune, Member of Old Family Dies Tuesday Afternoon

Ill for SeveralYears

Mrs. Mary (Duncan) McUne, died at her home, 126 North Prince street, at 2:45 o’clock Tuesday afternoon. She was the widow of Samuel Brady McCune, who died over five eyars ago. Mrs. McCune was a daughter of the later Alexander and Euphemia Duncan, and was born and reared at the old Duncan homestead near Shippensburg. She had been in failing health for the last three years. She was the last member of her immediate family.

Mrs. McCune was a member of the Presbyterian church from childhood, and as long as her health premitted was actively interested in her church ans its affiliated organizations, and devoted to her family and friends. She attended the old Normal School and Wilson College..

She is survived by three daughters and one son, Mrs. Effie McCune Weakley, at home; Mrs. Walter C. Nickles, Montgomery avenue , Shippensburg; Mrs. Jackson G. Rutherford, Fort Scott, Kansas; W. Alexander McCune, Harrisburg; also these grandchildren: Miss Mary Weakley, a member of the school faculty of Salem, N.J.; Alexander McCune, Jr., Joseph McCune, Harris burg; Jackson G. Rutherford, Jr., Fort Scott, and William Nickles III, of Shippensburg.

The funeral will be held at the residence, 126 N. Prince street, this Friday morning at 11 o’clock. Rev. WIlliam H. Galbreath, pastor of the local Presbyterian church, will officiate at teh service. Burial will be made in the family plot in Spring Hill cemetery.

Friends and relatives are invited to the funeral without further notice. ⁸

McCune, W. A. – 6/28/1913

W. A. McCune, a former Shippensburg boy, but who, for some time past had been living in California, on the afternoon of June 28th, started from Stockton, Cal., in charge of a party of boys to swim in the river near Lodi.

One of the youths sank, and in his endeavor to save the boy’s life, Mr. McCune also went to the bottom. They were brought to the surface clinched in ech others arms, both past human aid.

Mr. McCune was a son of the late John A. C. McCune and Elizabeth Rankin McCune and was born in Shippensburg, Cumberland county, Pa., August 1st, 1874.

The following brothers and sisters survive him: Alex. C. McCune and Mrs. T. J. McClelland, Boswell, Somerset county, PA.; Mrs. Caroline B. Weston, New York City, and Mrs. John B. Bratton, of Carlisle. Interment at Lodi, California. ⁹

McCune, William E. – 1/20/1950

Services for William Edward McCune, 86, a former resident of Shippensburg, who died Friday in Seidel Memorial hospital, Mechanicsburg, were held Monday at 2 p.m. from the Van Scyoc funeral home. The Rev,. Warren E. Reeve and the Rev. Duncan MacPherson officiated. Burial was made in the Middle Spring cemetery.

Mr. McCune lived on East Burd st., before going to Mechanicsburg where he had made his his home for several years with his daughter, Mrs. J. Maclay Kelley.

he was born Aug., 1863, in Ralls county, Missouri, and was a son of the late J. Strerrett and Winifred Nichols McCune.

A retired farmer, Mr. McCune was a member of the Middle Spring Presbyterian church where he served as elder and trustee. He was married to the former Miss Margaret Quigley who preceded him in death.

In addition to Mrs. Kelley, he is survived by two other daughters, Mrs. Glenn Lehman of Waynesboro,and Mrs. Chalmers R. Means of Shippensburg, R.R.1.

A sister, Mrs. Kezia Wood of Center, Mo.; eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren also survive. ¹⁰

McCune, William R. – 11/20/1913

William R. McCune, a former resident of this locality, died at his home in Chambersburg, last Thursday morning at 9:45 o’clock, following several weeks of illness, aged abotu 60 years.

Mr. McCune was a former resident of this locality, a son of the late Robert McCune, and lived on a farm south of town before moving to Chambersburg about a quarter of a century ago. He is survived by his wife and these children: Robert McCune, of Darby; William McCune, of Harrisburg; Frank McCune, of Chester; James McCune, of Chambersburg; Misses Anna, Clara and Nellie McCune, at home. ¹¹

Sources & Notes

1
The Chronicle, 2/26/1920
2
Patriot, 3/7/1902
3
Harrisburg Daily Independent, 1/19/1906
4
Shippenburg News, 10/12/1888
5
The News Chronicle, 8/24/1954
6
News Chronicle, 1/8/1943
7
The News Chronicle, 2/22/1946
8
News Chronicle, 2/23/1934
9
Shippensburg Chronicle, 7/13/1913
10
News Chronicle, 1/24/1950
11
Shippensburg Chronicle

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