Frank T. McNitt Taken By Death - Pioneer Centralian Passes Away at Family Home Following Lingering Illness
Frank T. McNitt, pioneer Centralian, who played an important role in the advancement of the city in its younger days, passed away this morning at the family home, 316 North Iron street. Death followed a lingering illness, and while it was not unexpected, it was nevertheless a shock to members of Mr. McNitt's family and a wide circle of friends.
Mr. McNitt was 87 years of age, having been born in Montgomery county, Illinois, on January 31, 1845. He was married in 1876 to Lucy Anne Paster at Colorado Springs, where he was engaged in the grocery business. He moved with his bride to Rosetta, Colorado and in 1882 went to Los Angeles, where he purchased an orange farm and remained seven years.
Coming to Centralia in 1889, Mr. McNitt purchased the hardware business of Woodam & Sprague. He retired from business in 1914.
Mr. McNitt was active in civic affairs in the early days, having served two terms as mayor, and also as school director. He was a member of the local lodge of Elks and Knights of Pythias and of the Presbyterian church.
In addition to his widow, Mr. McNitt is survived by four children, Mrs. L. M. Anderson, Los Angeles and Mrs. O. E. Nelson, Mrs. Geo. Ellsbury and Frank T. McNitt, Jr., all of Centralia. Two sisters, Mrs. S. C. Cress, Irving, Illinois and Mrs. Jennie Jackson, in Kansas, and three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren also survive.
Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at the Newell chapel, Rev. Ward MacHenry officiating and interment being in the Mt. View burial park.
Active pallbearers will be C. A. Young, Pter Madsen, F. E. Presnell, Charles G. McNeil, H. K. Ghormley and Emil Daviscourt. Honorary pallbearers will be Isaac Robinson, B. H. Johnston, George Dysart, C. R. Fowler, Abe Fleweling and Albert Smith.
Source: The Chehalis Bee-Nugget, 23 Nov 1932, page 1.
Transcribed by Diana Smith. She has no further information on this individual.