Isaac D. Pownall 1859-1928

POWNALL, MOORE, SCHOOLEY, FRANK, HARTLEY

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 12/14/2018 at 10:38:38

27 December 1928 - West Branch Times

Page 1
The community was grieved to hear of the death of I. D. Pownall, which occurred at the Mercy hospital at Iowa City at an early hour Saturday morning, following a simple mastoid operation Thursday. Mr. Pownall had been a sufferer for several weeks, but his friends were hopeful that the operation, which was performed soon after his admission to the hospital, would prove the beginning of his recovery.

I. D. Pownall was a man whose loss will be keenly felt in many circles. At the time of his death he was president of the board of education, and he was also teacher of the boys' class in the Methodist church. He had also at one time been president of the Community Club, and he was active in the Farmers' Institute work, having been president of that organization at different times. In all that pertains to the betterment of the town and farming community surrounding he was actively interested.

Funeral services were held Monday, a large concourse of friends gathering to pay their respects. From a distance Miss Elizabeth Schonborn of Cedar Rapids, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Pownall of Iowa City, Miss Bertha Pownall of Cedar Rapids and Miss Nell Pownall of Marion were among those present.

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Upon one who was a boyhood companion and intimate friend, there devolves the sad duty of writing a few words regarding the life of him, whose passing we mourn.

At the farm home of Thomas and Priscilla Moore Pownall south of Centerdale, on Feb. 12, 1869, was born a son. He was named Isaac Darlington. Here his boyhood days were spent, attending school, helping with the farm work and acquiring a knowledge of successful farm operation, which was practically applied in later life. After a few years management of the home farm, he and his brother Harold acquired the mercantile and grain business at Centerdale.

At this time, May 23, 1894, he was united in marriage with Ruth Schooley and the companionship then started grew closer with the passing years. After conducting the business successfully at Centerdale for a time he purchased the farm north of Centerdale where a home of unusual beauty and utility was builded. Being a great lover of the beautiful in nature, a few happy years were spent in California. But the desire to be near their children impelled them to return and six busy years were spent improving the home and surroundings on the farm north of West Branch. In the fall of this year the farm interests were disposed of and they moved to West Branch that they might be relieved of some of the cares incident to farm life. They had become settled in their new home only a short time when the illness came upon him which resulted in his death at Mercy Hospital, Iowa City, in the early morning hours of Dec. 22, 1928.

He is survived by his bereaved wife and daughter, Dorothy, at home, two sons, Paul and Everett, of this vicinity, his daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Frank, of Fort Collins, Colorado, and seven grandchildren; also four brothers, Walter and George of Centerdale, Levi of Twisp, Washington, Harold of Baning, Calif., one sister, Mrs. Hattie Hartley of Pasadena, Calif., and a very large circle of intimate friends and neighbors.

During his residence in the Centerdale neighborhood he was active in the organization and conduct of the Congregational church and later became a valued member of the Methodist church in West Branch. Many sought his counsel and his judgment was highly valued. He was deeply interested in the welfare of the community and gave his ardent support to the church and school. He was a devoted husband and father and his happiest moments were those spent in the home and his companionship with his children was one of fine comradeship. Later there was the love of the little grandchildren to make his happiness complete. Just the little every-day kindly things we will love to remember, the cheering greeting, the helpful interest, the word of sympathy and encouragement, the joy of living, these things will linger in our memory of him we loved.

A very large crowd of friends attended the services which were held at the Methodist church at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon, conducted by his pastor, Rev. Harry D. Green, and he was laid to rest in the Silent City on the Hill.