GEORGE T. SCRANTON GRAVESTONE PHOTO
South Kansas Tribune, Wednesday, January 28, 1914, Pg. 5:
At an early hour Sunday morning, Jan. 25, 1914, death came to Mr. George Thomas Scranton, at the family home, after an illness of a few hours, at the age of 70 years, 9months and 18 days. He had not been in good health for months but was up and around every day and was at the table as usual at noon Saturday. After dinner he grew worse and suddenly passed away at 4 a.m.
George T. Scranton was born April 12, 1843 in Mendon, Ill., and was raised on a farm until 19, when he enlisted in the Union army and served in the One Hundred and Nineteenth until the close of the war. In 1866 he came to Kansas and located in Labette county and three years later crossed the line into what became Liberty township in Montgomery, among the Osage Indians. On Feb. 4, 1872, he was married to Sarah J. Shultz. In January 1880 he removed to Independence and served as deputy sheriff for Lafayette Shadley, and still later for Joseph McCreary. In later years he engaged in business and in the recent ones built the properties on Ninth and Main streets.
The deceased had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for forty years and also held membership in the Grand Army, Modern Woodmen, Select Knights, Sons and Daughters of Justice, and of the Masonic order.
Mr. Scranton is survived by his bereaved widow, sons George R. and Clarence L. of this city. Also brother Amos and sisters Caroline and Frances of Quincy, Ill., and brother Joseph of Portland, and William, who has made his home with the family for thirty years. One daughter, Katie and son Edward D., are deceased.
The funeral was at the residence at 2:30 today, conducted by his pastor, Rev. W. R. Wharton, and the Masonic order of this city.
Independence Daily Reporter, Monday, January 26, 1914, Pg. 6:
He Was a Kansas Pioneer and Prominently Identified with the Business Interest of This City
George T. Scranton, one of the old and highly respected citizens of this city, died at his home on West Main street yesterday morning at 5 o’clock. While he had been in failing health for several years it was not until Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock that he was taken seriously ill, and was compelled to go to bed. He lingered until 5 o’clock Sunday morning.
Mr. Geo. Thomas Scranton was born April 12, 1843, at Medon, Ills., and lived on the farm with his parents until 19 years old, when he joined the army and served until the close of the war. He came to Kansas in 1866 and settled in Labette county, removing to Montgomery county in 1869. He was married to Sarah J. Shultz, Feb. 4, 1872, at Liberty and removed to Independence in January, 1880, where he served as under sheriff for four years for Lafe Shadley, Sr. and was later deputy sheriff for Joe McCreery. Since that time he has been in business in this city, during which time he was elected to the office of city treasurer for three terms. For the last few years he has looked after his business on West Main street where he resided at the time of his death, Sunday morning, Jan. 5, 1914.
The deceased leaves his wife, Sarah J., and two sons, George R. and Clarence L. of this city, three brothers and two sisters, Amos, Caroline and Frances of Quincy, Ills., Joseph of Portland, Ore., and William of this city who has made his home with his brother George most of the time for the last 30 years, to mourn his death. Two children, Edward D. and Katie S., preceded their father to the grave.
The deceased has been a member of the First Methodist church for the past forty years, and also a member of G. A. R., M. W. A., Select Knights, Sons and Daughters (missed getting last few lines, they were in regards to the services)
Contributed by Mrs. Maryann Johnson a Civil war researcher and a volunteer in the Kansas Room of the Independence Public Library, Independence, Kansas.