William H. Howes 1860 - 1920

HOWES, PRITCHARD, BURBANK

Posted By: Michael J. Kearney (email)
Date: 1/24/2008 at 23:20:50

The Clinton Herald Thursday July 22, 1920 p. 2 County Treasurer William H. Howes died at 8:55 o'clock this morning at Mercy hospital, where he underwent an emergency operation last Friday morning for removal of a perforating ulcer of the stomach. At his bedside were all of the surviving members of the one time large family of his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Philip Howes. The condition of Mr. Howes, which was regarded as extremely critical at the time of the operation, resorted to as the only hope of saving his life, fluctuated in the first days following the operation but in the past few days had become increasingly critical, until at 3 o'clock this morning he passed into a state of unconsciousness, from which he did not recover. Mr. Howes was aged 60 years and a native of Clinton, where he had resided all of his life and where he was prominent in business and political circles. He was born August 31, 1860, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Howes, pioneer Clinton residents. Left to mourn his death are five brothers and two sisters, survivors of the family which at one time numbered eleven children. All of his brothers and his sisters had gathered in Clinton, following the operation. The are R.N. Howes, Ben D. Howes, E.M. Howes, Philip Howes and George Howes, all residents of Clinton, except Ben D. Howes, who had only recently arrived from his home in California, and the sisters, Mrs. Edgar Pritchard of Minneapolis, formerly Miss Elizabeth Howes and Mrs. R.P. Burbank of Sioux City, formerly Miss Esther Howes. Funeral services, it is expected will probably be held Saturday afternoon at Mr. Howes' home, 244 Sixth avenue, where he had resided for a number of years. He was a member of Emulation lodge, 255, A.F. & A.M., and of Delphic chapter, Rose Croix of DeMolay consistory. A.S.R. Mason of Clinton. Rose Croix services probably be held at the grave. The deceased was for many years one of the city's prominent jewelers with an establishment at Fifth avenue and Second street. A number of years ago he retired from active business and later took a keen interest in politics. Following the death of County Treasurer Henry Toeninsen, he was appointed to fill the vacancy and in ensuing election, two years ago, was elected to the office. He was the repubilcan candidate for re-election this year. In the days of the old Company E., Mr. Howes was a lieutenant in the organization. In the passing of Mr. Howes is marked another decrease in the surviving members of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Howes. Archie Howes, a brother of the deceased, having passed away within the past year. The parents came to Clinton in 1859, and the father was employed on the Iowa & Nebraska railroad, forerunner of the Northwestern, continuing in the train service until June 1872, when he engaged in the fruit and nursery business. As the news of the death of Mr. Howes spread about the city today, the sympathy in the hearts of great numbers of his friends for this sufferings, turned quickly to sorrow over his passing. He was always regarded as one of the progressive and far-looking business men and citizens of Clinton and had plans for improving his property at Sixth avenue and Third street, converting it from a residence to a business structure, which were doomed however, never to come to fruition under his direction.

Death Claims Wm.H. Howes, Treasurer of Clinton Co. Clinton county is called upon today to mourn the death of one of her most faithful public officials; and the people of Clinton to deplore the loss of a loyal friend and citizen. After an illness of about one week's duration, William H. Howes, county treasurer, passed away at Mercy hospital at 9:30 o'clock this morning. His death was caused by ulcers which perforated the walls of the stomach. An operation was performed on Mr. Howes last Friday morning, in an effort to save his life. He rallied well from the operation, and for several days appeared to make some progress toward recovery. Complications set in last night, however, his heart grew weaker, and he lost consciousness. In this condition he lingered for several hours until his death this morning. His Death Deplored Expressions of regret, heard everywhere about the city today, attested to the high esteem in which Will Howes was held by the Clinton public. Few perhaps have enjoyed to a greater degree the confidence and friendship of the people. During his long business career in Clinton, and latterly as a public official, he had established for himself a lasting place in the good will of the people of this community. As a business man his reputation for honesty and fair dealing was known to all. as a public official he maintained the same high ideals which had made him so successful in business. Courteous, thorough, and devoted zealously to the public interest, he administered the affiars of his office with distinction and success, and the county loses by his death an official of great efficiency and capacity, and of the most unselfish devotion to her best interests. Loyalty to his home city was one of the shining traits of Mr. Howes' character. Always fearless and outspoken, he was as frank to criticise what he believed to be wrong, as he was generous in his commendation of the right, and every movement for civic betterment received his wholehearted advocacy and his staunch support. In politics he was true to his friends and generous to his opponents. To the more intimate circle of his personal friends, and these were many, the amiability which the public was heightened into the winning kindliness, and it is these close friends of the lamented Clinton man who today are best able to appreciate the loss Clinton has sustained in his death; knowing more intimately the splendid qualities he possessed as a friend, a citizen, and a public officer. Biographical William H. Howes was born in Clinton on August 31st, 1860, the son of Philip and Esther Howes. He attended the local schools, and as a boy entered the jewelry business, afterwards becoming a member of the firm of Howes Brothers, and still later, its sole proprietor. He retired in1912 from his business. Upon the death of County Treasurer Henry Toenningsen, Mr. Howes was appointed to fill the unexpired term. He was elected treasurer in 1918, and in the June primaries this year received the Republican nomination for the same office. Surviving the deceased are two sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Pritchard of Minneapolis and Mrs. Esther Burbank of Sioux City; and five brothers, Edward M., Philip L., George W., Richard N., and Benjamin D. Howes. A brother, Engineer Archie Howes, passed away about a year ago. His sisters are in the city today, having been called here by his illness. Mr. Howes was a member of Emulation lodge, A.F. and A.M., of DeMolay consistory, A.A.S.R., of the Clinton Library Board, and of the Wapsipinicon club. The Funeral Saturday. Funeral services for Mr. Howes will be held at his home, 244 Sixth avenue, at 2:30 o'clock Saturday afternoon, in charge of the Rose Croix chapter. Burial will be in Springdale cemetery.