Dr. J.F. Means[i]
“Dr. J.F. Means Has ‘Gone West.’ Dr. J.F. Means died Tuesday at 2:30 o’clock following an attack of heart trouble. He was stricken at the American Legion meeting at the courthouse Friday night of last week with an acute attack with his heart and from that time on he was at death’s door. It was only a matter of hours until the heart that had beat for 55 years with true American pride should cease its beat and the life of a good man come to an end. His going has saddened the hearts of relatives and a wide circle of friends.
“One hundred percent American every inch a man, Dr. Means was one of Claremore’s best citizens. Altho [sic] along in years he heard his country’s call during the great world war and he was among the first of Rogers county’s physicians to respond. In the training camps, he went through the great Flu epidemic doing his duty day by day in his usual painstaking way. Wherever he went friends were made. He was a man good to meet – a finished physician highly regarded in the medical profession and prized greatly as a friend.
“Dr. Means leaves to mourn his loss a wife and son, Melvin Means. Sympathy is extended the bereaved ones.
“The funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock from the Presbyterian church. Interment will be made in Woodlawn cemetery. Rev. H.M. Gardner, of Bowling Green, Mo. former pastor of the Presbyterian church here, will preach the funeral sermon. Plans have been laid for a military funeral, the American Legion Posts of Claremore, Chelsea, and Collinsville to conduct it. Dr. Means was a member of the Legion and a faithful worker for its betterment. During the few days’ illness, he was amply repaid for this interest by the attention he was shown by the members of the local legion. A number of the boys were within call at all times. Tears dimmed the eyes of a number when it was learned that he had ‘gone West.’[ii]
“Lieut. J.F. Means, a veteran of the Spanish-American and the World Wars, in private life a prominent physician and lately appointed County Health officer, is dead at his home in Claremore and will be buried with Military Honors Sunday.”[iii]
“Dr. J.F. Means Laid to Rest. The funeral of Dr. J.F. Means was held from the Presbyterian church Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock, conducted by the American Legion Posts of Claremore, Collinsville, Chelsea. Fully 2,500 people attended. The church was inadequate to accommodate the huge throng which came to pay last respects to one of Claremore’s most finished physicians and good citizens.
“It was the first military funeral ever held in Claremore and the first witnessed by many. The ceremonies of the day went off without a single mistake which speaks well for the careful attention given to the many details incident to the occasion.
“The soldiers were formed at the county court house and marched to a position in front of the Sequoyah Hotel where the colors of the different posts were presented to the ex-service men by the color guards. After the colors the procession moved to the late home of the deceased where the body was accepted and escorted to the church. The casket was borne on a cassion drawn by eight well matched horses.
“Upon arrival at the Presbyterian church, Rev. H.M. Gardner, of Louisiana, Mo., delivered a short address while the choir rendered several songs, the casket then being opened and the remains of the late Dr. Means viewed by the many friends.
“The casket was then placed upon the cassion and taken to Woodlawn cemetery for interment. Services at the grave included a short address by Harry Kates, Commander of the Claremore Post, Rev. Clarence Campbell, Chaplain of the Claremore Post, and Rev. E.C. Murray, of the Tulsa Post, who gave the eulogy. The salute was then fired over the grave by the firing squad of the Chelsea and Collinsville posts. Then the [plaintative] and yet beautiful sounds of taps and the ceremonies were at an end. The procession reformed and marched to the county court house for dismissal.
“The following was the line of march to and from the cemetery. Music, Marshal of the Day. Colors. Escort. Casket. Dr. Means’ Horse. Ex-Service Men. Boy Scouts. Clergy. Relatives. Other Friends.
“This occasion was momentous from many viewpoints. Fitting honor was shown one of the county’s best Americans on his way to the last resting place. And the beauty of it was that all was done just as the late doctor would have had it done had he been able to see and know. Perfect order prevailed with a resultant lack of confusion so general with so large an assemblage. This bespoke the experience of those of the service. More than two hundred ex-service men from the three posts participated in the ceremonies of the day.
“James Foster Means was born February 12, 1866 at Frostburg, Penn., and died Tuesday, July 12, 1921. He spent his boyhood days at Frostburg. At 16 years of age, he sailed on a cattle ship as cabin boy to France. The voyage required 65 days. He returned about a year later and attended school, after which he joined the army to help capture Geronimo. Following this he again went back to school and began the study of medicine under his father-in-law, Dr. Sharp of Dayton, Pa. In 1890, he attended the Valparazo College in Indiana. The following year he attended medical school at Cincinnati, Ohio, and the following year he received his medical degree from the Baltimore Medical College.
“He came to the Indian Territory in 1893 and made the run in the opening of the strip. In 1897, he was elected Secretary of the Board of U.S. Examining Surgeons for West Virginia. He held that position until 1904.
“In 1898, he took a Post Graduate course in the New York Medical College.
“In 1901, he was one of the 13 delegates to represent the United States at the British Congress on tuberculosis held in Queen’s Hall, London, England. At that time, he attended the reception given by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress held in Mansion House, London. He remained abroad for several months and took post graduate courses in dermatology surgery and diseases of the eye, ear, throat, and nose. In 1904, he again visited the old country, returning to Oklahoma in 1907.
“Dr. Means sent in his application for service overseas the day after the Unites States declared war on Germany. He received his commission as Lieutenant in the Medical Corps in September 1917, after being transferred to Camp Cody, N.M.
“He developed aortitis while in the service but made no claim for exemption from further service. He was the last medical officer to leave Camp Cody after peace came. In addition to his medical duties while in camp, he was made post exchange officer and later was made morale officer. He was also promoted to a Captaincy.
“On the evening of Friday, July 8th, while in a meeting of the American Legion at the district court room, he was stricken. He was assisted home by some of the boys and gradually grew worse with each passing hour until the end. He was a good citizen, a good solder, and a kind and loving husband and father. His loss will be deeply felt by both relatives and friends. He is survived by a wife, brother, sister, and son.” [iv]
“The funeral of Dr. J.F. Means for Sunday afternoon, July 17th, at 2 o’clock at the Presbyterian church, was announced and as the deceased was an honored member of the club, the members were urged to attend the services and show their last respects. A floral offering was ordered sent to the Means home and D. Esco Walker, P.W. Holtzendorff, and W.R. Holland were made a committee to prepare suitable resolutions expressing the regret of the club at the loss of this member.” “Card of Thanks. The family of the late Dr. J.F. Means wishes to thank the physicians of Claremore and other cities, the American Legion, the ex-service men, the Clergymen, the Boy Scouts, the other organization and the many friends for their kindly sympathy and deeds of loving service during the sickness and burial of our husband, father, and brother. These kindnesses will ever be cherished – a precious memory. We also wish to express our thanks and appreciations for the many beautiful floral offerings. Mrs. J.F. Means, Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Means. Mrs. Margaret Hickox. Mr. Charles Means.”[iv]
“Resolutions. Whereas, the Supreme Ruler of the universe has, in His infinite wisdom, seen fit to remove from the walks of men, from our city and community, a prominent physician and valued citizen in the person of Dr. J.F. Means, and
“Whereas, said Dr. Means was a member of the Commercial Club of Claremore, Oklahoma, from which the undersigned committee was appointed;
“Therefore, be it resolved by said Club, that in his death Claremore and community loses one of its best citizens and most competent and self-sacrificing physicians;
“Be it further resolved that the Claremore Commercial Club deplores its loss of a loyal and public-spirited member, and realizing the yet keener loss which must be felt by nearest relatives and friends, does by these tokens desire to express its appreciation of him, and extend to them its sympathy in this our mutual and community bereavement.
“Be it further resolved that a copy of these resolutions be presented to Mrs. J.F. Means and family, a copy submitted to our local newspaper for publication, and a copy filed with the Secretary of the Claremore Commercial Club and spread on the records thereof. Dated at Claremore, Oklahoma, this 15th day of July, A.D. 1921. P.W. Holtzendorff. D. Esco Walker. W.R. Holland, Committee.”[v]
By Christa Rice, Claremore History Explorer
Sources: Oklahoma newspapers are sourced through The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.
Dr. James Foster Means. Birth Feb 1866, Frostburg, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania. Death 9 July 1921 (aged 55), Claremore, Rogers County, Oklahoma. Burial Woodlawn Cemetery, Claremore, Oklahoma. Spouse Tirza Theresa Sharp Means (1867 – 1935). https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/197458148/james-foster-means
Tirza Theresa Sharp Means. Birth 17 Feb 1869, Dayton, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. Death 1935 (aged 65-66) Claremore Rogers County, Oklahoma. Burial Woodlawn Cemetery, Claremore, Rogers County, Oklahoma. Plot CP2-4-L10-1E. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/34227653/tirza-theresa-means
[i] MEANS, J.F., Location: CP2-4.-L10-2E
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/197458148/james-foster-means
[ii] Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 17, No. 30, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 14, 1921, accessed May 18, 2021.
[iii] The Inola News (Inola, Okla.), Vol. 1, No. 13, Ed. 1 Friday, July 15, 1921, accessed May 18, 2021.
[iv] Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 17, No. 31, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 21, 1921, accessed May 18, 2021.
[v] Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 17, No. 31, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 21, 1921, accessed May 18, 2021.
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