Howard Espeset 1882-1950

ESPESET, GRAVES

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 10/19/2011 at 23:37:22

Howard Espeset, 68, Succumbs
Howard Espeset, 68, son of a pioneer Estherville banking family, died this morning at 3:30 a.m. following an illness of about two years. He had been ill since suffering a broken hip more than two years ago when a car struck him while he was crossing a street in Estherville.

For many years Espeset carried on an abstracting business which was started by his grandfather, Howard Graves. Espeset’s father, James, later joined Graves in the abstract business, and the firm was continued after Grave’s death by the two Espesets, and by Howard after the death of his father.

Espeset was born in Estherville April 2, 1882, and received his education in the local public schools, attended Parsons college for two years and obtained a bachelor of philosophy degree from the State University of Iowa.

His grandfather, Howard Graves, was the founder of the first bank in Estherville, a private concern known as Graves-Burdick company. Started in the 1860’s, this bank later was incorporated as Estherville State bank. Howard’s father was a cashier in this bank and Howard worked in the bank until it was sold in 1910-11 to G. Zeeman.

The deceased was a member of the Presbyterian church, of Elk lodge, and at the time of his death was pastmaster of the North Star Masonic lodge. He was married at one time, but at death, was a widower. He left no children and has no relatives in Estherville.

He was greatly interested in politics and public matters, being frequently a delegate to state republican conventions. He was an orator of note and frequently in demand as speaker for public gatherings. Among his friends he was known as a prodigious reader of good books and had a phenomenal memory.

Services will be held Sunday at Sandin Funeral home, with the Rev. John E. DeLong officiating, burial in East Side cemetery.

Full Masonic services will be performed at the graveside. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, August 17, 1950)

Espeset Pallbearers
Pallbearers for the funeral of Howard Espeset tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. at Sandin Funeral home will be M.E. Burrell, J.H. Cramer, Willard Crim, Harold Keeler, Max Soeth, and Arnold Mouritsen. Burial will be at East Side cemetery after full Masonic rites. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, August 19, 1950)