Eugene Montella Tanner

“Eugene Montella Tanner, retired barber, died at his home in Wheeling Wednesday night following an illness of several months. Mr. Tanner was known to his friends as ‘Gene’ or ‘Judge Tanner.’

Funeral services will be held at the Baptist Church in Wheeling Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock, conducted by the Rev. R.M. Wedell of Independence, a former pastor of the church. Burial will be in the Wheeling Cemetery.

Mr. Tanner was born in Madison County, Virginia, July 15, 1860. He came to Missouri in 1880 where he engaged in the barber business until a few years ago when he retired at age 75 because of ill health. For many years he operated a barber shop on the south side of the square in this city.

On March 5, 1890, he was united in marriage to Adella Ogan and to this union four sons were born. They are Ogan Montella Tanner, Clifton Bruce Tanner, Buel Tanner and Charles Abraham Tanner all of St Louis who, with their mother, survive. He is also survived by several grandchildren. In 1896, Mr. and Mrs. Tanner moved to Wheeling where they have since resided. He was a life long member of the Baptist church and took a great interest in community affairs.” The Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune, February 3, 1944