KESSEL, Harry 1893-1945

KESSEL, GALLAGHER, COTE, COYLE, ZADRAZIL, SLITOR, WHEAT, JENSEN, HUMMEL, MEIKLE, PRATT

Posted By: Wendy Wright (email)
Date: 1/29/2012 at 20:15:25

Mississippi Takes Life of H. Kessel: October 2, 1945

The Mississippi claimed the life of another Waukon person-second in recent weeks-Tuesday when Harry Kessel, 52 drowned in a boat upset while fishing on the river. Kessel, city street department employee, had been fishing with P.D. Cote, local theater owner, and Pat Gallagher, city street commissioner, when the motor of their boat ran out of gas.

When Cote was filling the tank a reserve supply can, the floating boat struck an obstruction and lurched, throwing him out of the boat. Gallagher said Kessel rose as if to go to Cote's aid, and then the boat capsized, throwing Gallagher and Kessel out. Gallagher was saved by Cote's suggestion that he clling to a floating oar, and then Cote searched for Kessel but could not find him.

Residents at nearby Waukon Junction cottages came out and tried to help but Kessel was nowhere to be found. Sheriff L. J. Bulman and County Coroner Dr. C.C. Boyden were notified and a search for the body was instituted.

Call for Help
Boats of Martin Easley and Delphey Brothers, commericial fishermen, were enlisted in the search, and the body was located mid-morning Wednesday, when the sheriff and coroner conducted their investigation at the Junction. No inquest was ordered.

The fatal accident had happened not far from the spot were Mrs. Charles Pratt, a bride of less than one week, died in the river earlier this summer while honeymooning at the Junction. The three fishermen had been fishing above the locks on the river and were returning to shore when they ran out of gas and the fatal upset took place.

Military Funeral Friday
The body was taken to the Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, where services will be held Friday afternoon at 2'oclock and at 2:30 pm at the Presbyterian church, conducted by Rev. A.H. Grossheim. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery with military honors. Pall bearers are Patrick Gallagher, Dennis Cote, Vince Coyle, Jake Zadrazil, Truman Slitor and R.H. Wheat.

Mr. Kessel had a record of service as a volunteer in World War II with the navy, from which he had received an honorable discharge.

Long Time Resident
Harry Kessel, son of Simon and Margaret Kessel, was born Feb. 17,1893, in Preston, Minnesota, and had spent most of his life in this vicinity. He was married to Anna Jensen of Village Creek.

Mrs. Kessel, two daughters and three sons remain. They are Donald, in the service in Japan, Alice Kessel Hummel of La Porte City; Lillian, Mrs. James Meikle of Waukon; Harry, Jr., and Darrell, also of Waukon.

His mother remains, as do the following brother: Andrew of Decorah, Albert of Waukon, Elton of Waterville, Henry, his twin brother, of Waukon, William of Washington Prairie, and Raymond of Mable, Minnesota.