Elmer Elsworth Howard (1952)

HOWARD, WELLS, ALLEN, KING, LATHRUM, HAMMERLY

Posted By: Ida Morse (email)
Date: 3/30/2007 at 20:47:44

Winterset Madisonian, August 6, 1952, Pg 4
Winterset, Iowa

E. E. HOWARD, 89 DIED LAST FRIDAY

Served As Great Western Station Agent 40 Years

Elmer Elsworth Howard, well known Madison county resident died at the Memorial hospital in Winterset last Friday, Aug.1 at the age of 89 years. He had been in poor health the past few years and had been brought from his home in St. Charles to the hospital last Monday.

Mr. Howard served as station agent for the Great Western railroad at Hanley for forty years. He was a 50 year Mason in the St. Charles Lodge, and a member of the Order of Eastern Star. He served his home community many years as justice of peace and was a long time member of the Methodist church, moving his membership from Hanley to St. Charles when the two churches united.

While living in Hanley, he was the Madisonian correspondent for many years, and his items, run under the heading, “Sage of Hanley”, were read by all subscribers because of his philosophical and witty remarks, included in the happenings of the home community.

A son of George J. and Polly Wells Howard, he was born in Jamestown, N. Y. Sept. 28, 1862, and came to Handley in this county with his parents when he was a small boy. On September 4, 1884, he was married to Emma E. Allen, and to this union three children were born. Two of these children preceded him in death. Ora E. and infant daughter, leaving one daughter, Madge Lenore, now Mrs. Perry King of St. Charles. Mrs. Howard preceded him in death December 21, 1890.

On July 2, 1891, he was united in marriage to Jennie I. Lathrum, and they were the parents of four children; Esmond, Orma and Orville, who survive him, and a twin brother of Orville, who died in infancy. The family moved to St. Charles from Hanley, about 12 years ago, but he continued as Madisonian correspondent as long as his health permitted.

He leaves his wife and their daughter, Orma, at home, Mrs. King, and Orville Howard of St. Charles, and a son, Esmond, who resides near Winterset. He also leaves 11 grandchildren, and one sister, Mrs. Alice Hammerly of Spokane, Wash.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon, Aug 3, at 2 p.m. from the St. Charles Methodist church, in charge of the Rev. Eldon Haworth, with burial in the St. Charles cemetery.