Obit: Shedden, Alanson Grant (1869 - 1925)
Poster: Crystal Wendt

Surnames: Shedden, Ruchaber, Snooks, Lathrip, Annell, Bingham, Hinman

Source: Neillsville Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) Thursday, 12/03/1925

Shedden, Alanson Grant (9 March 1869 - 27 Nov. 1925)

A. G. Shedden, one of Neillsville’s best known and most popular citizens, passed away at the Marshfield hospital in the early hours of Friday morning, Nov. 27, 1925. Mr. Shedden had been in failing health for nearly a year, but with characteristic energy, he continued to be actively on duty although this relatives and friends could see that he was gradually going down. Soon after the first of November he gave up work, and on the eighth was taken to Marshfield hospital where he gradually grew weaker till the end came. He had receiver repeated examinations during the past year, at the hands of the best clinics in the state, but seemingly no effective relief was given him.

Alanson Grant Shedden was born at Plato Center, Illinois, March 9, 1869. He moved to Dundee, Illinois as a young man, and there entered the employ of the Borden Condensed Milk Company and became an expert in their line of work.

In Dundee he took a prominent place in business and civic affairs; he served six years on the city council, and was serving his second term as mayor when he as offered the position of superintendent of the Neillsville Condensery by the Oatman Condensed Milk Company and came here in April 1916 to take up his duties. His wife came the following August.

For nearly ten years he has had charge of the condensery, and entered energetically into the business life of this community. While he gave the milk business his closet attention and careful study and supervision, he was ever ready to do what he could along other line for the development of the resources in this locality. He took an active part in the affairs of the Canny Factory, established a poultry feeding plant, and owned a farm near the city which was devoted quite largely to poultry.

During the war and the reconstruction period the management of the condensery presented many complex and difficult problems, but he me them all with quiet determination and sound judgment.

He was quiet and reserved in manner, but was deeply sympathetic and responsive to the needs of worthy persons and worthy causes, but shrank from any publicity or display of his kindly acts. His death is indeed a most serious loss to this entire community, but he has in his ten years of residence here, left a permanent and worthy impress upon the life of this city and vicinity. His life of earnest industry, upright honesty and faithful service is a high example to the young men of this locality.

Mr. Shedden was married in Chicago, June 25, 1906, to Miss Theresa Ruchaber, who survives him. He leaves also his aged mother, Elmira Shedden, and one brother, Leonard A. Shedden, both of Dundee. The mother now in her eighty-eighth year has been here for the past two weeks. Although her husband and five of her children have passed away to the Great Beyond, she meets this last bereavement with Christian fortitude. The deepest sympathy is felt in this community for the bereaved wife, mother, brother and other relatives.

The funeral was held Sunday afternoon at the home, Neillsville Commandery Knight’s Templars, of which order deceased was a member, having charge of the services, its funeral ritual being used. Burial took place in Neillsville Cemetery.

Those from away who were present at the funeral were: Mrs. Elmira Shedden and Leonard A. Shedden, Dundee, Mrs. Snooks, Carpentersville, Ill., Mr and Mrs. Harry Lathrop, Chicago; Mary Ruchhaber, Elgin, Ill., Jodie Ruchaber, Weir, Kansas; A. G. Annell, C. H. Bingham and Glidden Hinman, all of Dundee.

*Note there was a photo of Alanson G. Shedden include in the article.