Henry M. Knutson, 1885-1921

KNUTSON

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/21/2009 at 11:23:31

DEATH OF A PROMINENT RESIDENT

H.M. Knutson Died At His Home Sunday Evening

PROMINENT IN BUSINESS

Funeral Services Held Today Well Known Contractor And Builder

H. M. Knutson died at his home on north Seventh street at 8:10 p. m. last Sunday evening. Mr. Knutson had been confined to his home for the past month or six weeks and his death was not unexpected as he was known to be a very sick man. However the shock of his passing away was a great one to his family and large circle of friends and business associates who knew him so well and honored him so highly. Mr. Knutson was one of the well known contractors and builders of the city and was well and favorably known by all. He was born and raised in this city and his death leaves a void in the business circles that will be hard to fill.

Mr. Knutson had been associated with his brother Barney in the building
business in this cty for the past few years. He was the active manager of the firm and it was due to his efforts that many of the new residences have been erected during the past few years. He did alot for the growth of Estherville, building several houses himself which he afterwards disposed of to new residents. He was always actively interested in the growth and welfare of his city and there was never a task to hard for him to do if it was for the good of Estherville. He was a member of the chamber of commerce, was a faithful attendant at the meeting and his council and advice was often sought on matters pertaining to the building of a larger and better Estherville.

As a man he was respected and admired by all who knew him. He fought his way from the bottom of his chosen profession to the top. His word was as good as his bond and his integrity was unquestionable. He was [unreadable] word of greeting to everyone. He was a favorite wherever he went and his being taken away in the prime of life is one of the unexplainable mysteries of life. His place will be hard to fill in this city and his loss will be brought more forcibly home to all of us as the days go by.

Henry Martin Knutson was born in this city on November 9th, 1885 being nearly thirty-six years of age at the time of his death. Death was the result of system poisoning caused by defective teeth.

He made his home in this city all his life with the exception of five years which was spent in North Dakota. He was married on May 9, 1915 to Miss Lulu Finestad, of Fenton, Iowa. To this union one child, Amos William was born. For the past seven years he had been associated with his brother Barney in the contracting business. The firm will be carried on by his brother. His parents survive him living at Dolliver. He is survived by five brothers, Ole, Kenneth and Silas of Dolliver and W. M. and Barney of this city.

Funeral services are being held today. The services from the home are at one o'clock and the services from the church will be held at two o'clock. The church services will be held at the Palestine church just north of Dolliver where burial will be made. Rev. Voorhies of the Presbyterian church was in charge of the services at the home while Rev. Hansen has the services at the church. Burial will be made in the Palestine cemetery.

The out of town relatives attending the services are H. Worra an uncle of Letcher, South Dakota, Mrs. Clara ?sett a cousin of the same place, Mr. and Mrs. P. Johnson, cousins from Holmes, Iowa, Mrs. Amos Wora a cousin from Holmes, Iowa and Herman and Orman Finastad uncles of Mrs. Knutson, from Boone. Iowa.

The magnificent display of floral offerings tell in silent language the esteem and respect in which the deceased was held by his friends and associates. It is a wonderful appreciation of the man who is gone but whose memory will linger long in the hearts of those who knew him best and appreciated his true worth. Those memories of a life so well spent in the service of mankind will ever be a memorial to his name and will go through the lives of those who knew him, pointing the way to bigger and better things until we, too, shall hear the call to rest from our labors. The sympathy of the entire community goes out to the bereaved family in this hour of darkness.

Source: Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa; June 22, 1921.