HOVELSON, Edwin John 1875-1918

HOVELSON, POPLE

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 2/5/2010 at 17:57:02

OBITUARY: Edwin John Hovelson, 1875-1918

OBITUARY-HOVELSON

Edwin John Hovelson was born in Mitchell County, Iowa, December 1, 1875 and passed away at his home in Viola, Wis., Feb. 22, 1918. He was the third child of Mr. and Mrs. H. Hovelson, of this city.

His early years were spent in the farm home west of Osage. He graduated from the business course at C.V.S., later taking a course at C.C., Des Moines. He and his brother, Leon, were engaged in the lumber business at Preston, Minn. It was there that he met Miss Blanche Pople to whom he was married June 7, 1901.

Sometime after their marriage they went to Chariton, Iowa, where he conducted a lumber yard. Most of his married life, however, was spent on the farm six miles west of town.

Failing health about two years ago, forced him to leave the farm, and in April of last year he entered the employ of the Lumber Co., of Viola, Wis. Here he took his family, and they were delighted with their new home, and prospects were bright, until an epidemic of scarlet fever entered their home. First the two little sons were sick, one of them fully recovering, the other still weak from its effects, when the daughter and wife were stricken, and it was while they were sick that the father went into the home to help care for them. It was then that he contracted the dreadful disease which caused his death.

Mr. and Mrs. Hovelson were the parents of three children, Mildred, Clair and Gene. It was to this little family that he gave every thought and care -- being one of the best of fathers, and a most tender and loving husband. Besides his family he leaves to mourn his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. H. Hovelson, of Osage; two brothers, Leon and Ralph, of Sheldon, Iowa; three sisters, Mrs. Frank Boeck, of Minneapolis, Mrs. J. B. Clay, of Cedar Falls, and Mrs. W. A. Burnham, of Osage.

The beautiful flowers which came from Viola, tell us of the esteem in which he and his family were held at that place, after a residence of only a few months; and the tributes paid by his employers testify to his worth as a business man. From old friends and neighbors with whom he associated so many years, came also many tributes of love and sympathy, which will always be gratefully remembered by his family.

His mother went to Viola to bring his remains to Osage, leaving wife and children behind as Clair was not able to make the journey.

Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock a private service was held at the home of his parents, Rev. Cleworth officiating, and he was laid to rest in our beautiful cemetery.

[Mitchell County News -- 1918]

Transcribed by: Marilyn O'Connor, August 2005