Elmer E. Henaman 1890-1962

HENAMAN, MASON, GRIMM

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 6/17/2012 at 23:08:12

Longtime Estherville Businessman Dies
Elmer E. Heneman, 71,well-known Estherville businessman and longtime county resident, died earlier this morning at his home of a lingering illness.

President of Henaman Motor Corp., Mr. Henaman has been connected with the automotive industry since 1913 when he was employed in the service department of the former Rhodes Motor Co. here. In 1919, he went into business for himself at Armstrong, selling Chandler, Dort, Liberty and Essex automobiles. In the spring of 1922, he received a Ford Motor Co. franchise. He took over dealership in Estherville in 1933. His son, William, and son-in-law, R.S. Grimm, now operate the business.

In an interview with the Daily News in 1959, Mr. Henaman said, “I have seen the automobile industry grow from infancy. The first overhaul job I ever tackled was a two-cylinder Maxwell. To do the work, the body had to be removed to get at the engine. Then came the Model T days and I have helped unload freight car loads, all knocked down, seven to a car. We had to assemble them and prepare them for sale. One winter we delivered cars by bobsled. In the early days, the dealer had also to combine driver-training with selling. I’ve helped teach many a first-purchaser how to drive an automobile.”

Mr. Henaman also was active in church and civic affairs. He was a member of First Methodist Church and had served on the official board and chairman of finance commission. He was a member of the city airport commission, Knights of Pythias lodge, had been a director of the Estherville Chamber of Commerce and of Estherville Baseball, Inc. While a resident of Armstrong, he served both on the town council and board of education.

During his 40 years as an automobile dealer, he served as director of the Iowa Auto Dealers Assn. for 20 years and director of the Iowa Ford Dealers Advertising committee for 10 years.

Mr. Henaman was born June 24, 1890 in Ida County, the son of Phillip and Phoebe Henaman. He moved with his family to Clay County in 1910 and received his education in rural Clay County Schools and was a graduate of Spencer Business College.

He was married to Cora E. Mason on Sept. 23, 1914.

Survivors include his widow, one son, William; a daughter, Mrs. R.S. Grimm; both of Estherville; five grandchildren, and four brothers, Cyrus of Spirit Lake, Dan of Los Angeles, George of Ames and Arthur of Melvin. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and two sisters.

Funeral services will be Monday with a family service at 10 a.m. at Sternborg-Reese Funeral Home and a public service at 1:30 p.m. at First Methodist Church. The Rev. William R. Noland and the Rev. Fred Ortmeyer will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. Friends may call at Sternborg-Reese from Sunday morning until 10 a.m. Monday and at the church from noon Monday until time of services. The casket will not be opened after services.

Active pallbearers will be C.W. (Bill) Robinson, Leo Fitzgibbons, Russell Smith, Francis Shadle, Albert Heywood and Don Sunde. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. J.P. Clark, George Robinson, Charles Robinson, Leo Sanders, Lee Hammond, Ernest Smith, W.S. Clark, Guy Tibbetts, Ray Ricklefs, Dr. Richard Bose and Ralph Hartman. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, April 27, 1962)