Home > United States of America > Iowa > Carroll County > Coon Rapids > Coon Rapids Cemetery > Harry Elroy Churchill

Harry Elroy Churchill

View larger map

1 / 2

2 / 2

❮ ❯

Harry Elroy Churchill

Birth	:	14 Oct 1876 Union Township, Carroll County, Iowa, USA
Death	:	1 Oct 1921 Coon Rapids, Carroll County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Coon Rapids Cemetery, Coon Rapids, Carroll County, USA
Coordinate	:	41.8778000, -94.6678009
Description	:	Harry was the son of Justin Churchill and Frances Allison. He married Alpha M. Blanchard on February 3, 1908. They were the parents of three children: Kenneth E., Clinton, and J. Vincent. Contributor: #49347870 - Coon Rapids Enterprise October 7, 1921 Page 1 - The explosion of the large gasoline and kerosene supply tanks of the Harry Churchill filling station Saturday afternoon was the worst in general results ever occurring in the community. The 10,000 gallon gasoline tank was near empty and was being filled from a tank on the Milwaukee track nearby, the work of filling just... Read More	Harry was the son of Justin Churchill and Frances Allison. He married Alpha M. Blanchard on February 3, 1908. They were the parents of three children: Kenneth E., Clinton, and J. Vincent. Contributor: #49347870 - Coon Rapids Enterprise October 7, 1921 Page 1 - The explosion of the large gasoline and kerosene supply tanks of the Harry Churchill filling station Saturday afternoon was the worst in general results ever occurring in the community. The 10,000 gallon gasoline tank was near empty and was being filled from a tank on the Milwaukee track nearby, the work of filling just having started when the accident occurred. The gas was being pumped from the railroad car tank into the stationary tank by a pump driven by a electric motor. One of the valves of the oil pump was leaking a little and Harry Churchill, owner of the filling station, thought to tighten the valve and stop the leak by means of a heavy monkey wrench. In attempting to do so the wrench slipped off of the valve and over against the second valve and so loosening the latter as to cause gasoline to spurt from it over Mr. Churchill probably from head to foot, and on to the electric motor which was sparking. Ignition immediately occurred and Mr. Churchill soon after was in flames. He ran from the building a human torch, shouting for help. Two visitors from Jefferson were talking with Churchill in the pump house when the accident with the wrench occurred and seeing the danger, and being near the door, ran out quickly, supposing that Mr. Churchill would follow them, but he tarried a moment or minute or so in the pump room, in an effort to shut off the gasoline from the filling pipe and to shout to Roy Clark, who was on top of car tank, to shut off the gas at the tank car. This delay in trying to prevent an explosion and possible conflagration was fatal— Harry had taken too long a chance. As he emerged from the pump house, burning from head to foot, he fell down and rolled over, but immediately arose to his feet, when his Jefferson friend, Bareny Chapman, ran to him, pulling Mr. Churchill's clothing from him as he ran and in an astonishingly short time had Mr. Churchill completely stripped of his clothing excepting his shoes, but even by this time the fire had burned over the entire body, cooking the flesh in many portions, particularly around the neck and arms, and also almost all the hair from his head, but not apparently injuring his eyes. In his nude condition Churchill ran around the depot and then onto near the Diamond Hotel, pleading for aid, when a large auto appeared and he was lifted into it by friends and taken to Dr. Wolfe's office where the doctors of the town dressed his wounds and gave him opiates to relieve his agonizing pain, Mrs. G.R. Whisler, retired nurse, offering her services which were cheerfully accepted. He told the doctors, however, that he could not live, and though an additional doctor and nurse from Carroll were soon at his bedside Mr. Churchill, passed away at 11 p. m., about six hours after the accident. The doctors, realizing that he would soon die and that Churchill might wish to say a last word to his family and something about the disposition of his property, allowed him to partially come out from under the influence of the opiates, but as Churchill did so he was in such intense pain that he could say nothing coherently and so the doctors immediately placed him under an anesthetic again, and in this condition Mr. Churchill passed away. The calamity was purely of an accidental nature. It is likely that Mr. Churchill did not notice the sparks from the motor, or, if so, thought there was no danger from them. And of course, there would have been none except for the accident of the slipping of the wrench and the second accident of it striking the second valve and in such a way as to loosen it, causing a leak. It was a double accident and the like of which would hardly happen in a thousand or ten thousand of such efforts to tighten a valve. The explosion of the large gasoline tank, which is thought to have had not to exceed a hundred gallons of oil in it, shook the earth and caused windows to rattle for a distance of several blocks, and some people for miles out in the country say they felt the jar or quiver. Several window lights of the depot, within a hundred feet or so of the tanks, were broken and Agent E.O. Kinser thrown out of balance and on the floor. The John Remele residence, two hundred feet or so from the tanks, was badly wrecked by one of the ends of the gas tank, which was blown off, and sent flying toward it with great force and speed, striking the residence near the center of the front entrance crashing through and then veering toward the east and passing through the east wall, doing much damage to building and furniture. The end of the tank was about ten feet in diameter. The Remeles were fortunate to be away from the house, although the wife and son had but a few moments before departed. Fire insurance was carried, and though the loss was the result of fire at the tanks, there is a question whether the insurance company under the circumstances, is liable. That is a question for the company or the lawyers or courts. Though the result was serious and heart rendering to relatives and friends of the deceased, the town was fortunate in its escape from a catastrophe. The small amount of gas in the tank saved a conflagration and it was also fortunate that the tank of gas on the track dangerously near the fire, did not ignite or explode. Burning gasoline and oil are sometimes carried several blocks. The kerosene tank did not explode in such way as to do any injury though it is likely beyond repair. Harry Churchill was born in Union township, Carroll county, some forty-five years ago, his parents being Mr. and Mrs. Justin Churchill; his father, deceased, being a civil war veteran and an Indian fighter with government troops in what is now the Dakotas. Harry Churchill grew up to manhood on his parents' farm north of town. He served four years in the United States navy and for the past few years has been engaged in the automobile business, having a large garage building and being a member of the McKay Motor Company, also owning a filling station which he opened only this year, and which is finely equipped. He leaves a wife and two small sons, mother and several brothers and a sister, besides many friends, to mourn his death and who are greatly shocked over the tragic manner of his passing. He was of a social nature and very indulgent to his wife and children, having rocked and sang the baby to sleep but two or three hours before the fire. The relatives have the deep sympathy of all in this hour of great affliction. The funeral services were conducted at the M. E. church Monday afternoon by Rev. H. G. Hicks, and internment made in the Coon Rapids cemetery. Harry Elroy Churchill was born at Coon Rapids, Iowa, October 14, 1876, and died in Coon Rapids, October 1, 1921, being 45 years, 1 month and 17 days old at the time of his death. Four years of his early life were spent in the navy. On the 3rd day of February 1908, he was united in marriage to Alpha M. Blanchard, and to this union three children were born Kenneth E., Clinton, and J. Vincent. Kenneth having passed away at age of three. He leaves to mourn his loss besides his wife and two children, his mother, one sister, Mrs. Henry Schultz, three brothers—Tom, Frank and Raymond, besides other relatives and many friends.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Harry Elroy Churchill's memorial?
Harry Elroy Churchill's memorial is located at: Coon Rapids Cemetery, Coon Rapids, Carroll County, USA.
When did Harry Elroy Churchill death?
Harry Elroy Churchill death on 1 Oct 1921 in Coon Rapids, Carroll County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Harry Elroy Churchill's memorial?
Latitude: 41.8778000
Longitude: -94.6678009

Family Members:

Parent

Justin Churchill

(1846 - 1913)

Frances L Allison Churchill

(1849 - 1925)

Spouse

Siblings

Anna E. Churchill

(unknow - 1887)

Frank Charles Churchill

(1873 - 1944)

Louella E Churchill Schulze

(1881 - 1966)

Raymond Mark Churchill

(1888 - 1942)

Children

Kenneth E Churchill

(1910 - 1913)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Union Township Cemetery
Coon Rapids, Carroll County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8781013, -94.6389008

2. Oak Hill Cemetery
Coon Rapids, Carroll County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9053001, -94.7200012

3. Orange Township Cemetery
Guthrie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8163986, -94.6844025

4. Old Carrollton Cemetery
Carrollton, Carroll County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9233017, -94.7403030

5. Willow Cemetery
Greene County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9067001, -94.5730972

6. Tuttles Grove Cemetery
Guthrie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8130989, -94.7228012

7. Highland Cemetery
Bayard, Guthrie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8241997, -94.5717010

8. McCurdy Cemetery
Carroll County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9403000, -94.7649994

9. Viola Center Cemetery
Viola Center, Audubon County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8236008, -94.8016968

10. Saint Josephs Cemetery
Dedham, Carroll County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8993988, -94.8210983

11. Dedham Cemetery
Dedham, Carroll County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8993988, -94.8225021

12. Union Township Cemetery
Guthrie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7391450, -94.6858030

13. Seeley Township Cemetery
Guthrie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7318993, -94.6147003

14. Saint Marys Catholic Cemetery
Willey, Carroll County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9783363, -94.8212204

15. Dodge Center Cemetery
Bagley, Guthrie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8194008, -94.4697037

16. Scranton Township Cemetery
Scranton, Greene County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0306015, -94.5783005

17. Melville Township Cemetery
Audubon County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7439003, -94.8013992

18. Elba Cemetery
Templeton, Carroll County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9068985, -94.9131012

19. Greenbrier Cemetery
Cooper, Greene County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9063988, -94.4218979

20. Luccocks Grove Cemetery
Audubon County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7619019, -94.8653030

21. Cameron Cemetery
Audubon County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8236008, -94.9167023

22. Moffit Grove Cemetery
Yale, Guthrie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7668991, -94.4539032

23. West Lawn Cemetery
Glidden, Carroll County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0649986, -94.7406006

24. Dillavou Cemetery
Kendrick Township, Greene County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0802994, -94.6138992