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Idaho County Free Press Thursday, June 28, 1945 FRANK MCGRANE DIES
No man in Idaho County was known to more people, had more friends, and was
better liked than FRANK MCGRANE, who died Tuesday morning in his room in the
Lewis-Clark Hotel, Lewiston, shortly after returning from his breakfast meal.
His son, Frank McGrane, Jr., who was in Lewiston at the time, conveyed the sad
news to A.L. Gilkeson, long time friend and business associate, and almost a
shadow was cast over the town as word spread fast along Main Street that a
friend to all had been taken by death.
Rosary services will be held Friday evening, June 29, at 7:30 at the Hancock
Chapel; Requiem Mass at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church Saturday morning at
10 o'clock with the Rev. Fr. Jerome T. O'Connor, celebrant. Burial will be in
Prairie View Cemetery.
Mr. McGrane had not been well for several years past, suffering with a heart
ailment, but it was for his wife's health they moved to Lewiston last October.
Mrs. McGrane had just a few days before been removed from St. Joseph's
Hospital, where she had been accompanied by her husband to the hotel.
Mr. McGrane had been sitting on the edge of the bed when he collapsed. A
bellboy was in the room at the time and Mr. McGrane's son and a physician were
called and firemen used a resuscitator in an effort to create respiration
without success.
He was born in Portland, Oregon, January 26, 1851, the son of Mr. and Mrs. James
McGrane, northwestern pioneers. The family moved to Lewiston in 1869, where
Frank obtained his early schooling. When a lad of 18, Mr. McGrane brought a herd
of cattle into Idaho County and followed stock raising a number of years. Later
he became affiliated with the Alexander-Freidenrich Company store and in 1908
was elected secretary and manager of the organization, and later vice-president,
position he held at the time of his death.
No one could have been more public spirited than Frank McGrane, and many of
Grangeville's and Idaho County improvements for the last 50 years were backed by
his efforts and many were of his origination. He was a constant, active member
of the Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the highways and good roads committee
for years.
In 1895, Mr. McGrane married Miss Millie Von Berge, daughter of Henry and Sophia
Von Berge, Idaho County pioneers. They have one son, Frank Jr., civilian
employee of the air forces in Spokane. One brother, Thomas McGrane of Lewiston,
survives and numerous nieces and nephews. Submitted by Chris Cornett |
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