Cretcher, Mack P. (1868-1946)

Evening Kansan-Republican obituary: 1946 Jun 20 p. 1

Birth date: 1868 Dec 9

Text of obituary:

MACK CRETCHER CALLED BY DEATH

Prominent Citizen Passed On This Morning at Age of 77 Years

Mack P. Cretcher, pioneer of Harvey county, widely known editor and author, died this morning about 6:30, at the Bethel Deaconess hospital here, where he had been the past two or three years, bedfast most of the time with a lingering illness and debility that refused to yield to the utmost care and treatment.

Mr. Cretcher was born in Spring Hill, O., Dec. 9, 1868, son of Mrs. and Mrs. John Curtis Cretcher. They came to Kansas in February, 1871, settling on a farm near Putnam, later moving to the farm now owned by C. J. Cox and sons, two miles northeast of Sedgwick. Harvey county has been Mack's home ever since. He was educated in the Sedgwick schools, and after trying farming a few years, he purchased the Sedgwick Pantagraph in May, 1892, from Cash M. Taylor, and published the paper until 1913. He then went to the Philippine islands as assistant director of agriculture, serving there eight years, being a member of the Philippine commission at the London International Exposition. Returning to the states in 1922, he served the two years of Governor Jonathan Davis' administration as his private secretary. In 1925 he became editor of the Newton Journal, continuing that work until his retirement in March, 1940.

Mr. Cretcher was married to Alice May Johnson, Jan. 20, 1897 at Sedgwick. They had one child who died in infancy. Mrs. Cretcher died July 14, 1942. Sometime before that bereavement, Mr. Cretcher suffered a hard fall, fracturing his right hip, and his health suffered a severe break, and after various hospital and home treatments, he entered Bethel hospital about three years ago.

Mack Cretcher was a versatile writer, his paragraphs attracting wide attention. He wrote two good book sellers, "A Tenderfoot in the Tropics," and "The Kansan," the latter being a novel which became a popular seller. He was owner and author of "Bank Ads That Pay," which was used by banks all over the United States and proved a profitable business. He was director of the Sedgwick State bank, and always took an active part in local and general civic business and political affairs, being recognized as a leader of Democratic party affairs in the state.

He was a past president of the Kansas Editorial Association, now the Kansas Press Association, and served as master of the Sedgwick Masonic lodge for four consecutive years, 1902-1905. He traveled extensively and knew his country extremely well. In his younger days he was a lover of sports and the out of doors, being a devotee of rod and gun. He was an upright citizen, a faithful friend, a wholesome companion, and a prominent figure in Harvey county affairs, with a residential record here of 75 years.

Mr. Cretcher leaves a sister, Mrs. Hattie McCabe and brother Frank both of Sedgwick.

Funeral services will be conducted at the Congregational church at Sedgwick, Saturday afternoon at 2:30, with Rev. E. R. Farwell officiating. Burial will be in the family lot in Hillside cemetery, with Kaufman and Dreese of Halstead in charge of arrangements.