Sudden Death Claims Life of Allison Man
M.L. Risner Found Dead Wednesday in Field Near Home - Heart Failure the Cause

Apparently succumbing to an attack of heart failure, the body of Madison Logan Risner, pioneer Wheeler county man, was found Wednesday forenoon in a field a short distance from his farm home just north of Allison.

As near as can be learned, Risner had left the house that morning with some seed wheat which he intended to broadcast and later plow in. Failure to return for his team caused no special uneasiness, members of the family supposing he had gone into town. Death had occurred some time previous to finding the body. The sudden and wholly unexpected passing of the husband and father comes as a severe shock to the family, who has the sympathy of a host of friends.

M.L. Risner was born March 13, 1865, near Waynesboro, Tenn., and died August 25, 1937, at Allison, Texas, at the age of 72 years, five months and 12 days. He was married to Miss Fannie A. Casteel on Oct. 14, 1888, who is left to mourn his death. To this union were born nine children: Sarah, Joanna, Belle, J.E., Hobart, Sam and Frank, who survive their father, and Mary Etta and Lula, who preceded him in death. Also two sisters and three brothers survive, all residents of Tennessee. They are: Mrs. Thelma Brewer and Mrs. Fannie Dickey, and Lon, Cicero and George Risner. Twenty-four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren also are living.

The deceased was converted at the age of 17, joining the Baptist church, of which he was a faithful and honored deacon for many years.

The Risner family moved first from Tennessee to Oklahoma, spending three years there, later moving to New Mexico. In 1912 they came to Wheeler county, making their home in the county seat for several years where he was engaged in business for a short time, but followed farming principally. About eight years ago, the family moved to Allison, where a home was established.

Funeral services were conducted Thursday afternoon, with rites at the family home at 1 p.m., in charge of Rev. G.W. Simmons, pastor of the Allison Baptist church, assisted by Rev. L.T. Fields of Briscoe. The body was then brought to the Baptist church in Wheeler, where final services were conducted at 3:30 by Rev. A.C. Wood of Lefors, assisted by the previously-named ministers.

Flower girls were Helen Holmes, Pauline Owens, Faerine Newberry, Claudia Mae Leonard, Virginia Dillon and Fay Hayes. Pall bearers were W.A. Leonard, Newt Trout, Johnny Jones, Ray Brown, Orvard Abernathy and Carl Owens.

Interment was made in the Wheeler cemetery, under direction of the Hunt Funeral home.

(Published in The Wheeler Times, Volume IV-Number 36, Wheeler, Texas, Thursday, August 26, 1937, Page 6)
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1910 United States Federal Census
Name:
Madison L Risner
Age in 1910: 46
Birth Year: abt 1864
[1864]
Birthplace: Tennessee
Home in 1910: Plain, Quay, New Mexico
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
[Head]
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Fannie A Risner
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Neighbors:
Household Members:
Name Age
Madsone Risner 46
Fannie A Risner 42
Mary E Risner 20
Sarah C Risner 19
Joe A Risner 17
Fannie B Risner 16
James E Risner 14
William H Risner 12
Samuel A Risner 9
Lula L Risner 7
William F Risner 4

Texas Death Index, 1903-2000
Name: Massey Logan Risner
Death Date: 25 Aug 1937
Death County: Wheeler
Certificate: 43965