Francis William Bronaugh

     Francis William Bronaugh was also known as Frank. He was born on 23 November 1850 at Henry Co., Mo.. He died on 25 January 1937 at age 86. BRONAUGH, Francis William "Frank" - 1850 - 1937
Clinton MO - Frank Bronaugh, gentleman of the old school and last of a proud and dignified Henry County family, that for many years held an important place in town and country life, laid down his burden of years and altered fortunes at 3:00 a.m. Monday, passing quietly to Life More Abundant. Frank Bronaugh, son of the late C. C. Bronaugh who came to Missouri in 1837 from West Virginia, and his wife, Anna E. Waters Bronaugh, was born November 23, 1850 on the Bronaugh farm eight miles northeast of Clinton, that in those days was one of the pretentious country homes of the county, hospitable and large, friendly and inviting known as Bronaugh Place. He was christened Francis William and spent all his life with the exception of a few years on the old homestead where he was born. He traveled some but always returned to Bronaugh Place, and for four years had the whole care of his beloved mother who was helpless from a fall. He was the soul of honor, a man of fine feeling and nicety of judgment, a lover of good horses and in his youth was quite a beau in Clinton, where he had many warm friends. He lived a short time in Johnson County and while in Knob Noster joined the Methodist Episcopal church, South, under the preaching of Rev. Nat Golbert in 1872. After coming back to Henry County he and his brother, W. C. Bronaugh, were instrumental in building Bronaugh church near their home. He and his brother always paid half the preachers salaries and entertained them while in the neighborhood. J. F. Robb, King, Hogan, Flummer, Appleby, Strong, Hunter, Pew, Shackelford, Alexander and Wolfe were some of their outstanding preachers. They always had preaching services twice a month and it was a great distress to Mr. Frank when after the World War the church had to be closed as the neighborhood was then so thinly settled. Being deeply religious Mr. Bronaugh moved his membership to the Franklin Street Methodist church in Clinton, and his church was ever his bulwark and shield. The large family of eleven brothers and sisters is now entirely gone. Six nephews, "The Bronaugh Brothers" of St. Louis, one niece, Mrs. Daisy, also of St. Louis, and some great nephews and nieces alone remain. Being ill, he came to Clinton in 1934 and for some months had rooms at the old Dr. Salmon house on North Main street, now owned by J. S. Arnold. He was nursed by Ted Hunt and given faithful and constant attention by his nephew, Warren Bronaugh, who was never far from his bedside. After several months Mr. Hunt moved Mr. Bronaugh to his home on East Franklin street, where he has since been, gradually growing weaker, spending most of the days in bed, and at times suffering greatly with bronchitis. Until a few weeks ago, however, he was able to go to the Franklin Street Methodist church, where he ad his membership. Driven there in the car by Mr. Hunt he would meet his nephew and together they attended services. Mrs. J. P. Daisy of St. Louis, niece of Mr. Bronaugh, arrived in Clinton Tuesday morning to complete arrangements for the funeral, which was at 11:30 Wednesday morning at the Wilkinson Funeral Home and Messrs. Jim Parks, J. P. Perry, Calvin Luallin, Thornton Jennings and Judge C. A. Calvird acted as pallbearers.¹

He was buried after 25 January 1937 at Englewood Cemetery, Clinton, Mo..