Willis Merriman Howenstein

HOWENSTEIN, HULL

Posted By: Bonnie Hull Swenson (email)
Date: 6/19/2006 at 11:17:22

Obituary of W. M. Howenstein

The death of W. M. Howenstein occurred at his home in this city last Friday morning at 6 o’clock, after an illness of only a few weeks. Mr. and Mrs. Howenstein have been spending the winter with their daughter in Gordon, Nebraska, and had arrived home only a few weeks ago to open the home and spend the summer here.

Mr. H. has been in failing health for two years or more, having failed more particularly in the last year. He had been troubled with kidney disease for a number of years and the disease had weakened the system and he had become quite feeble. During the past winter he did not get around very much, as it troubled him to walk to any extent. After their arrival at home he seemed to fail rapidly and gradually became weaker until the end came on Friday morning. His death was very peaceful and he passed away with a smile on his lips. During the night previous to his death, he awakened and recognized all the members of the family who were at his bedside.

Willis Merriman Howenstein was born in Bucyrus, Ohio, December 22, 1834. He was the eldest son of Peter and Louise Hudson Howenstein. His youth was spent at the home of his parents, where he attended the village school and worked with his father at the tailor’s trade. He took much interest in school work and after finishing his studies in the public school he attended a medical school for a time, and also studied medicine with an uncle who was a physician. In 1860 Mr. Howenstein, with his uncle and two others started west with team and wagon, and traveled overland to California. After some years spent in this state, he returned and lived for a time in Washington D.C. He later moved to Grand Rapids, Wisconsin and in 1868 came to Parkersburg, which has been his home until his death which occurred April 28, 1911 in the 77th year of his age.

In 1870 he returned to Grand Rapids and was married to Miss Carrie E. Tennant of that city. To them was born three children. Willie T. and James H. who died in boyhood, and Carried Edna, now Mrs. Hull who resides at Gordon, Nebraska.

Four of Mr. Howenstein’s sisters are still living – Mrs. Hattie Charnock of Los Angeles, California, Mrs. Della Failor and Mrs. D.W. Schoolcraft of Fredonia, Kansas and Mrs. Charles Manley of Aurora, Missouri. Also one brother, James T. Howenstein of Washington, D.C. These together with the faithful wife and daughter remain to mourn and miss a loving husband and friend.

Mr. Howenstein united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in youth and although he was unable, on account of deafness, to get any benefit from the public services of the church for many years past, he remained a loyal member until he was called to join the “church triumphant before the throne of God.”

Mr. Howenstein was a man highly honorable in all his relations with his fellow man: devoted to his home and to his God. He was kind and cheerful in disposition and will be greatly missed by everyone in this community where, for so many years he has been an honored citizen. In his home he was never known to complain, though through his affliction he must have missed much that is pleasant in life. He was until six years ago in the drug business in Parkersburg and it was with regret that our people at that time saw him retire from public life. His genial disposition had won him the friendship of everyone who had business dealing with him. He was for many years a member of the local Masonic Lodge, and was a great lover of the work of that organization. He was a tinker, a great student of history and science, and many hours of reading and literary research.

The funeral service was conducted by Rev. E.G. Hunt, his pastor, who chose as a fitting text the words of St. Paul: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Thenceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me in that day, and not to me only, but to all those who love His appearing.” He was laid to rest in Oak Hill cemetery beside those who had gone on before.

From a clipping found in Edna Hull's bible - probably from the Parkersburg paper, May 1, 1911.