Howell Franklyn "Hal" Wells 1862-1908

WELLS, HAWKINS, BOWEN

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 1/6/2011 at 00:46:15

The Grim Messenger
Hal Wells Dies Thursday [July 15, 1908] Morning at His West Side Home After Prolonged Illness
Elks Had Charge of Funeral
Funeral Was Held From Residence Saturday Afternoon – Floral Offerings Very Beautiful

Although expected, the announcement of the death of Hal Wells Thursday morning was a shock to the community. He was in the prime of life, with a devoted wife and three bright sons to make his home bright and cheerful, but even so the dread messenger struck him down and another home is desolate.

Mr. Wells had been in failing health for over a year, suffering, we believe from what the physicians termed anemia, or consumption of the blood. The most eminent physicians were consulted in his behalf but the disease baffled the skill and science of them all and Thursday morning, July 16, at about six o’clock in the morning his soul passed to the great beyond.

Funeral services were held from the residence Saturday afternoon at five o’clock, being in charge of the Elks lodge, of which deceased was a most highly respected member. Rev. Knowlton, of the Episcopal church, of St. James, preached the sermon. The body was laid to rest in Oak Hill cemetery, the Elks repeating at the grave their beautiful ritual service.

Howell Franklyn Wells was born at Iowa City, the first capitol of Iowa, December 23, 1862. His father was of the family which founded Wells College at Aurora, on Cayuga Lake, N.Y., one of the noted educational institutions of the country. He was for some years head of the Normal Department of the University of Iowa and at the time of his death was State Superintendent of Instruction. His mother was of the Bowen family of Vermont, being the daughter of Dalton Jesse Bowen who settled at an early period in Iowa City. Mr. Wells’ youth was passed in California, part of the time of which he spent in study at the Doctor Pinneo School, Greenwich, Conn. He was married in 1887 to Miss Helen B. Hawkins, of Rochester, N.Y., who survives him. Three sons, Franklin William and Charles Howell, born in 1890, and Lyndon Hawkins, born in 1892, are left to mourn his untimely death. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, July 22, 1908)

The Estherville Democrat adds:
Hal F. Wells Dead
Died Thursday Morning After Lingering Illness
Was Sick Several Weeks
Prominent in Estherville – Funeral Saturday Afternoon Conducted by Elks

It is with deep regret that the Democrat is called upon to chronicle the death of Howell F. Wells, of this city, who died Thursday afternoon at [ ] o’clock after an illness of many weeks of pernicious anemia. “Hal” Wells, as he was known to every resident of Estherville, was an exemplary man in every sense of the word. His friends were numbered by his acquaintances and to know him was to admire him for his honesty and integrity.

He came to Estherville in 1886 entering into the lumber and coal business with his uncle, Bradford H. Pendelton. He succeeded to the business in 189- and sold it in 1893 to the John Pa—Lumber Company. For some years past he has been connected with the Woodstock-Hoefer Company, wholesale jewelers of Kansas City, being sales manager of the district of southern Minnesota and northern Iowa. While engaged in business in Estherville he was one of the prominent young business men of the city and enjoyed the confidence of his many customers. Of late years he has been more or less away from the city but his many friends were always glad to see him when he came home to spend a few days with his family. He will be greatly missed.

Funeral services were held at the family home on the west side at 4:30 Saturday afternoon, conducted by Rev. William H. Knowlton, of St. James, Minn., former rector of the Grace Episcopal church of this city, assisted by Rev. Edward Campbell, pastor of the Presbyterian church. Episcopal burial service was held at the house and the services at the grave were conducted by the Elks Lodge of this city of which deceased was a member. The pall bearers were Dr. A. Anderson, Jay Johnston, M. K. Whelan, Dr. W. P. Galloway, C. M. Brown and C. R. Ammon. The remains were interred in Oak Hill cemetery.

The sympathy of this community is extended the bereaved family in their hours of profound sorrow.

Relatives from away who were here to attend the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. S. Everett Woodstock and Charles Hoefer, of Kansas City; Mr. and Mrs. John Wilson, of Miller, S.D.; Lyndon Hawkins, of Duluth, Minn., and Charles B. Hawkins, of Rochester, New York. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, July 22, 1908)