Hawes, John James 1860-1941

HAWES, RAFTER, COTA, WHALEN

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 5/11/2005 at 15:21:39

John James Hawes passed to his eternal reward early last Wednesday morning at his home in Harpers Ferry. Death was attributed to a severe heart attack upon waking that day and his illness was of short duration lasting only an hour or so.

Mr. Hawes was born January 2, 1860, in Lafayette Township, a son of John and Julia Hawes, pioneer settlers of that community. He received his education in the rural schools, and on Sept. 30, 1894, at Paint Rock, was married to Miss Catherine Rafter, by Father Sheehan.

To this union were born seven children, one of whom, Charles, preceeded his father in death in infancy. Besides his sorrowing wife, six children, Leo, Urban, and Clem of Wexford; Mrs. Will Cota of Harpers Ferry; Mrs. Katherine Whalen of Milwaukee; Mr. Leonard Hawes, Kenesaw, Nebr. are left to mourn the passing of a kind and loving husband and father. Other survivors include 24 grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

Mr. Hawes was an industrous farmer which occupation he followed until his retirement about 19 years ago. He was a township trustee for several years, a director of the school and trustee of the Wexford church 14 years, and was held in high esteem by all who knew him.

The funeral services were held at St. Ann's Church, Harpers Ferry, Friday morning at 9 o'clock. Rev John Costello offered the Mass of the Requiem and assisted Father Louis White with the prayers at the grave side.

Burial was in the family lot in Wexford and carrying his mortal remains to its last resting place were Martin Manton, Bernard Valley, Bill Goebel, Arthur Houlihan, Tim Collins and Joe Wagner.

Among the out of town relatives attending the funeral were Will Rafter, Kellogg, Minn., Mrs Katherine Whalen and daughter, Milwaukee; Ruth Payne, Algona; and Mrs Leo O'Neill, McGregor.

Allamakee Journal, 9/10/1941 - contributed by John Stanton