HOWELL, Benjamin F. (1856-1930)

HOWELL

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 3/30/2020 at 12:39:02

Benjamin Franklin “Frank” Howell
(November 3, 1856 – February 9, 1930)

Ida County Pioneer Record, Ida Grove, IA, Thursday, Feb 13, 1930, p.1, col.1
Was Odd Fellow For Fifty Years; Ida Grove Unprepared to Learn of Sudden Death of Frank Howell
Frank Howell, prominently known as a veteran Odd Fellow, former harness maker and for years janitor in the Ida Grove public schools, was taken by death Sunday, February 9 after an illness of three days with heart complications. The news came as a shock to many persons who did not know that Mr. Howell was ill.
The funeral services were held at the Methodist church Tuesday afternoon, in charge of Rev. Geo. W. Dunn. For upwards of twenty years, Mr. Howell had served as the faithful caretaker of that church.
Benjamin Franklin Howell was born November 3, 1856 in Fletcher, Miami County, Ohio, and died February 9, 1930, attaining the age of 73 years, 3 months and 6 days. He moved with this parents to Webster City, Iowa, when a small child. In early manhood he located at Lohrville, Iowa where he engaged in the harness business. He was married to Miss Louise Rasty on November 25, 1883. They resided in Lohrville for five years, moving to Ida Grove in 1889. Mr. Howell was engaged in the harness business for several years, after which he accepted a position in the local schools which position he held until the last two years.
He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having joined the order in Lohrville in 1880, and has held continous membership for 50 years, during this time he held many offices of distinction, aside from filling the offices in the local lodge. He held several offices in the Grand Lodge, having served as district deputy grand master several terms, representative to the grand lodge during the years 1921-1922 and guardian to the Grand lodge in 1928.
He was a firm believer in the teachings and principles of the order, and his faithful adherence to these principles and his genial disposition, not alone in his fraternal associations, but in his intercourse with his fellow man, endeared him to all with whom he came in contact, his ready sympathy and words of encouragement were expressions from a heart that beat for others woes. He was a friend to young and old and many a sick room has been brightened by his call. It can be truthfully said of Mr. Howell “That he lived as a friend of man.” He was affiliated with the Methodist church.
Those left to mourn his death are his wife, five children, Miss Ethel of Denver, Colo., Albert Edgar of Grand Forks, N.D., Frank Lloyd of Ida Grove, Mrs. Jess Bright, Des Moines, Mrs. Earl Graham, Ida Grove. He leaves on sister, Mrs. J. W. Lee of Webster City and 3 grandchildren.