Obit Index

Almer E. Monroney was born 56 years ago in Soldier, Kan., the son of Sylvester Monroney, a Union veteran, of Indiana, and Elizabeth Buckless Monroney. Early in childhood he moved with his family to Carmi. Ill., where he received a grade school education. Completing grade school, he went to work to support his mother and two sisters as a miller's apprentice. This work took him to Louisiana where he met Daisy Stillwell, who became his wife in 1895.

In 1891 he joined the hordes of young men who emigrated to the new Oklahoma and began work polishing stoves for $1 a day. In 1895 with William Schweinle he established the "Doc & Bill" Furniture Co., at 8-10 W. Grand Ave. From a capital of $100, the business grew until at his death the concern had assets of $250,000. He was the "Doc," and Schweinle, now deceased, was "Bill." As the business grew, the pioneer name was retained because of the sentiment and good will borne by the firm title. At the time of his death, July 29th, 1928, Monroney was president and majority owner of the business.

Buried in Fairlawn cemetery, Monroney lies in a burial park that claimed his time for 15 years. For a time he was chairman of the cemetery board and encouraged the beautification of Fairlawn. New methods to guard the funds for perpetual care of the burial park were instituted during his service on the board.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Oklahoma City, for many years, and gave loyal and faithful service to various offices of trust to which he was called. He was also a past director and much esteemed member of the Rotary Club.

Monuments to his civic zeal will stand against all time. It was Monroney who was campaign manager for the first big bond issue put over in Oklahoma City. The city reservoir, Lake Overholser, the mammoth dam and conduit system all resulted from the successful campaign waged by him.

The first non-partisan movement for improved city government was launched with Monroney at its head. He was chairman of "The Voters League," from which grew the present non-partisan city groups.

The state fair claimed his time when as director for several years, he aided in drives to keep the fair open. Monroney's name appears on the State Capitol cornerstone. As grand master of the Oklahoma Grand Lodge, he officiated at the laying of the cornerstone.

The magnificent Masonic temple stands also as a tribute to his tireless efforts to erect the structure. As chairman of the building board, Monroney served during the building and the subsequent refinancing of the temple. He served the Masonic bodies from Master of the Blue Lodge, commander of the Knights Templar, Potenate of the Shrine, Representative of the Building Board for Cyrus Chapter Number 7, Patron of the Eastern Star, to Grand Master of the Grand Lodge.

He also served the Chamber of Commerce, being a director at the time of death. For more than 15 years he was in constant work, most of this time as a director. For one term he served as its president. He also headed the City Retailers Association.

The Oklahoma Railway Co. claimed his service also when he was made one of the directors at the reorganization of the company. He served for four years as a director of the Fidelity National Bank. "Doc" Monroney, the builder, is his honor name.

Source: Chronicles of Oklahoma, Volume 6, No. 3, September 1928, p. 401-402.

Submitted by Marti Graham, July 2003. Information posted as courtesy to researchers. The submitter is not related to nor researching any of the above.