Donald W. Leedham 1897-1917

LEEDHAM

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 5/23/2021 at 17:43:28

12 November 1917 - The Clinton Advertiser page 6

Donald W. Leedham, youngest son of City Auditor and Mrs. Frank W. Leedham, was accidentally killed yesterday forenoon about 11:30 while out hunting. Donald, familiarly known as "Don" left yesterday morning about 8:30 to go up the river hunting in company with Franz "Tony" Huenger. The accident occurred abut 11:30 at Prairie Lake, near the Narrows. They were in a boat and the water was shallow along the shore, where they wanted to go in to get some straw to put in the bottom of the boat. "Tony" got out to pull the boat at the bow, and "Don" shoved it. The two guns were in the stern of the boat, and Don made the remark that one of the guns was pointing toward him, so he put them in a different position in the boat. Shortly afterwards Tony heard a shot and looked around and saw Don staggering in the water. He ran to him and caught him in his arms, and asked if he was hurt. Don said "I guess I am in bad" Tony asked if he was dying and Don gasped, "I don't know," and breathed his last.

Mr. Martin Moeszinger and another party who were about 100 yards away from the place where the accident occurred came to their assistance and placed the body in the boat. It was brought down by Franz Huenger, and taken to the Shadduck undertaking parlors.

Donald Westbrook Leedham, the youngest child of City Auditor and Mrs. Frank W. Leedham, was born December 14, 1897. If he had lived until Dec. 14 he would have been 20 years old. He had lived in Lyons all his life where he attended the public schools and graduated from the Lyons High school in the class of 1915. Since then he had been employed at Curtis Bros. & Co., but had planned to attend college after Christmas. He was a star athlete and is widely known in Clinton and vicinity, having been a very popular young man with all who knew him. He was a member of the Episcopal church from childhood, and sang in the choir. His bright and sunny disposition, and sterling qualities of heart and mind have won for him a large circle of friends, who will deeply mourn his death.

Besides his parents, he leaves one sister, Miss Helen at home, and a brother, Doctor Harry Leedham, first lieutenant in the United States army at Camp Logan, Houston, Texas, who will arrive home tomorrow night. As yet no arrangements have been made for the funeral.

13 November 1917 - The Clinton Advertiser page 6

The funeral of the late Donald W. Leedham will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the family residence, and at 2:30 from the Grace church, the Rev. W. Ernest Stockley officiating.

Friends are requested to call at the home this afternoon and tomorrow morning.

14 November 1917 - The Clinton Advertiser page 6

The funeral of the late Donald W. Leedham, who met such a tragic death just north of Lyons Sunday, was held this afternoon at 2 o'clock from the family residence, and 2:30 from the Grace church, of which he was a member, the Rev. W. Ernest Stockley officiating.

The following young men attended the casket: J. Ernest Stockley, representing the Grace church choir, Gilbert Jensen, Harry Katner, Ray Stewart, Earl Newburn and Max Rehwoldt, representing Curtis Brothers, and David and Clinton Heunger, representing the Lyons band. Burial was made in Oakland cemetery.

Among the out of town people here to attend the funeral were Frank Leffingwell of Chicago, Art Leffingwell of Council Bluffs, Mrs. Bowlman of Davenport, Mr. George Leedham of St. Paul, Lieut. Harry Leedham of Houston, Tex., Mrs. Chas. Lund of Elgin, and Miss Flo Pippin of Chicago.