Richard N. (Dick) Howes 1866 - 1945

HOWES, WATERS, SPRINGER, LORENZEN

Posted By: Michael J. Kearney (email)
Date: 1/24/2008 at 22:40:15

The Clinton Herald Tuesday November 20, 1945 p. 1 & 2. Richard N. (Dick) Howes, Sr., 79, Clinton's only four time mayor and one of the city's most widely known citizen's died in his home, 523 Fourth avenue, South, at 6:50 a.m. today. Services will be hald at 2:30 p.m. Friday in the First Presbyterian church. Dr. Bruce McCullough, pastor, will officiate. The body is at the Bragonier-Fay funeral home pending further arrangements. As word of Mr. Howes' death spread about the city praise for the man who was regarded as the city's No. 1 booster and one of its most ardent champions was heard from the lips of hundreds of friends and admirers. He had been an inveterate community worker and had the reputation of doing more to put Clinton on the map and giving punch to its community spirit as almost any other citizen. Mr. Howes was esteemed as a business man, a politician and a civic leader. He was a pillar of the Republican party in Clinton county and eastern Iowa. He had a jovial nature, was kindly and always ready to give a helping hand to any cause. He was probably Clinton's most widely known citizen and was hailed as "Dick" by thousands of friends. In the insurance business he had sold policies to patrons in all walks of life in Clinton. Death came quickly, shortly after he awakened this morning. He suffered from a heart weakness with which he became afflicted following two operations in the last year. He had been indisposed for the last week. Prior to that time he had carried on business as usual in his offices, 316 Howes building. Mr. Howes, known as "keeper of black cats' and the "Will Rogers of Kiwanis" was born in Clinton, Nov. 9, 1866, a son of Philip and Esther Waters Howes. He wa sone of 13 children in the family. He received his education in rural schools and began working in the sawmills which 16 years old but two years later became a clerk in the Lamb grocery store. After thirteen years as a grocery clerk, in various stores he bought his own store in 1897 and operated it until 1911 when he entered the insurance business. He has been awarded the Martin L. Seltzer trophy for writing at least one life insurance aplication per week for ten years and is a life member of the Black Cat club of the Accident and Health Review, for turning in 13 accident insurance applications on 13 consecutive Fridays the 13th. In 1918 he entered politics and was elected to the city council. He served a two-year term as councilman in 1924 and was elected mayor. He served two terms, 1924 to 1927 and was reelected for two more terms, in 1936 to 1939. He was the only man to be mayor of Clinton for four terms. Mr. Howes was past president of the Chamber of Commerce, honorary member of Junior Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Community Federation, and was one time board member of the Y.M.C.A. and was instrumental in establishment of Camp Blackhawk. Always a booster for the Kiwanis club, he became known as the "Will Rogers of Kiwanis." He was charter member and past president of the Clinton chapter and past governor of the Illinois Eastern Iowa district and was given a certificate award for achievement by the Chicago area conference. Active in civic and fraternal affairs, he was a member of America Lodge, 567, I.O.O.F., A.F. & A.M. DeMolay Consistory and held 32nd degree in Scottish Rite Masonry. He was affiliated with First Presbyterian church and was a past deacon. "Dick" was a charter member of Co. E. Iowa national guard. He was a staunch Republican and served six years on the state central committee representing the second Iowa district of which he was chairman. He attended the national convention in 1936 as a delegate from the second district. He married Miss Leo Springer in 1891 and four children were born to this union. Dr. Richard Newton Howes, Jr., his second child, died in March, 1940. Other children are Edward, Los Angeles, Frank Davenport, and Miss Harriet Howes, Chicago. Also surviving are two brothers, Phillip and George, both of Clinton. Mr. Howes first wife died in 1919, and he was married in 1928 to Miss Lela Lorensen who survives.

Howes Funeral in Presbyterian Church on Friday Services for Richard N. (Dick) Howes, Sr., 79, who served four terms as mayor of Clinton will be held in the First Presbyterian church at 2:30 p.m. Friday. Dr. Bruce McCullough will officiate. Burial will be in Springdale cemetery. Mr. Howes died at 6:50 a.m. yesterday. The body will repose in the family home, 523 Fourth avenue, South, until 10 a.m. Friday, when it will be taken to the church to lie in state until the funeral hour. Friends may call at the house or the church. A son, Frank Howes, Davenport, and Mr. Howes' only daughter, Miss Harriet Howes, Chicago, are here. Another son, Edward, Los Angeles, will be unable to attend services. Mrs. R.N. Howes, Jr., widow of the deceased son of Mr. Howes, went ot Chicago yesterday to accompany Miss Howes to Clinton. A large delegation from the offices of Kiwanis International and from the headquarters of the Illinois-Eastern Iowa district, both in Chicago, will arrive in Clinton on the North Western train at 1:20 p.m. Friday to attend the services. Other Kiwanis delegations from Des Moines, Dubuque, and Davenport