Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-08-25
fine LIFE ENDS
WITH DEATH OF
F.O. VAN CALDER
Editor of the Modern Yooaman
Leaves Behind an EaViabIe Rec
ord Of Achievements.

Frank o. Van Calder. editor Of
the Modern Woodman for the last
"A years, died at 2:4O o'clock yes
terday afternoon at his home. 1910
Twentieth street His death, which
closes a long life, filed with con-
slant service to his fellow men. is
mourned not only by a large circle
of personal acquaintance. but as
well by hundreds of men and wom-
en- in every part of the country,
who grew to know him and love
him through his literary works.
Born on farm near GAINESVILLE,
Wis, Jan 6, 1855, Frank O. Van
Calder moved with his parents,
Truman and Mary Phelps-Van Gal
der, to Sycamore, Ill, in1868. While
still young man he there engaged
in local newspaper work and also
was a special writer for various
Chicago dailies.
For many years he was owner
and publisher of the Daily Repub-
lican. in which capacity he con
tinued after being appointed editor
Of The Modern WOOdman, official
publication Of the Modern Wood
men of America, in June, 1895. I'M
til in November, 1899, when he
moved to Rock Island to devote his
entire time to that position. At
the same time he supervised the
society's printing plant and man
aged the advertising department.
His first identification with the So
ciety was on Feb. "a. 1885, when he
became a member in Sycamore.
Later he moved TO Rock Island and
organized Camp No. 13,433.
He was GA years of age at the
time of his death, and appeared
many years younger. Earlier in
the summer he started on an ex-
tended vacation trip to the north
west. in search of better health. !
He had been in Indifferent health !
since last winter, and was on the
verge Of a nervous breakdown due |
to oyerwork. When he returned !
home on Tuesday, Aug. 10, his con-
dition was considered serious. as !
he had contracted a severe diges- /
tive organ malady
A Friend to Man.
J. C. Ray, assistant head clerk /
of the Modern Woodmen, said of |
the editor /
He lived in a house by the side !
of the road
And was a friend TO man
For his decease ended a mod /
est and unassuming life. a life /
thoroughly consistent and genuine
ly unselfish; a life full of cOnseT-I
vatiVe and constructive thought /
and action. always based upon
right principles and righteous pur-
poses; a life full of love for his
family and for boys and girls-for
whom he wrote many stories of
child life.
For he was an author of ccnsid-
cradle note, and his works under
his pen name of Floyd X Royce
are well known. Throughout his
busy life he took the time lie
termed it 'recreationD o write a
number of serial stories for var
ious publications. Some Of them
were later done into books. Al
ways an ardent teetOtaler and con-
sistent advocate of temperance. his
latest book under the name My
Battle With Booze was considered
by friends as his strongest liter
airy production. His delightful
stories for children and -everai
dramas written for the Modern
Woodmen of America and Royal
Neighbors, were productions of real |
and lasting merit.
Was Versatile and Busy.
Though he has passed, the mem
Ory Of his achievements will long
be recognized by the world. He
went to Europe upon the Ford
peace ship in 1915, giving all his
efforts at that time to end the
destructive war. He was a devout
member of the Methodist church.
He was active member Of several
big organizations, among them the
TTi-City Press Club. of which he
was president at one time. He was
a leading stakeholder in the Three
Eye baseball club, and was presi-
dent of the association in 1903,
when the Islanders won the pen
nant. Being thus versatile his list
of friends=who were all of his
acquaintances-was innumeI able.
particularly .lrOughout
the jurisdiction of the WoOdmen !
1.-THE Boy Scouts of Rock Island
have lost one of their most loyal
supporters in the death of F. o. 8
Van Calder of the Modern Wood I
men of America said David Berg ]
quist, their leader, today "As a
member of the executive committee 7
of the local council he did much \
to further the movement in this l
city He was a staunch supporter |
of every move that would better I
the condition of boys ia Rock Is I