Hale, Oren 1893-1953

HALE

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Monona County CC (email)
Date: 7/7/2006 at 08:37:07

SUPERVISOR OREN HALE KILLED IN AUTO CRASH SUNDAY MORNING ~ 1953

ACCIDENT OCCURRED SHORTLY AFTER MIDNIGHT AT THE CARLSON INTERSECTION ON HIGHWAY NO. 75, BLENCOE

He had served the West District of Monona County, as supervisor, for fifteen years. Is survived by wife and three children.

This community was shocked Saturday morning when its citizens learned of the death of Supervisor Oren Hale, of Blencoe. The accident occurred shortly after midnight at the Carlson filling station intersection, on Highway No. 75, at Blencoe, Ia., within a short distance of Mr. Hale's home.

Mr. Hale, who was 59 years of age, had served Monona county as superivsr(sic) of the West district for the past 15 years, and was most popular among the voters of his district, as his long term in office signified. He did much to improve the roads and ditches of his district, and had on numerous occasions served the Board as chairman. He had a wide acquaintance, not alone in Monona county, but also in Woodbury and Harrison counties. His many years of experience in the office which he held, equipped him with a knowledge of county business which few men possessed.

After the accident Mr. Hale was taken to an Onawa hospital, where he died about two hours later, of numerous injuries. Hospitalized, because of the same accident, were Mr. and Mrs. Frank Eickelkamp and Mrs. Alice Carter, of Sioux City, Mrs. Fred Wells of O'Neill, Nebraska. The Eickelkamps suffered shock, cuts and bruises; Mrs. Carter, 46, four broken ribs, and Mrs. Wells, of O'Neill, head injuries, shock and injuries.

William Sober, state highway patrolman, who investigated the accident, said the car in which Mr. Hale was riding was driven by Mrs. Carter. Mr. and Mrs. Eickelkamp also were in the vehicle. The patrolman said that Mr. Wells was driving the other car, in which were his wife and 8-year-old son, who was not injured.
Sober said the Carter car was going west across the intersection, at the Carlson corner, when it came in collision with the Wells car which was traveling south on Highway No. 75.

The patrolman further reported that Wells told him the Carter car was traveling without lights.
Mr. Wells, 34, was not injured in the accident, according to information available Sunday evening.

Mr. Hale was born September 8, 1893, in Tennessee. He married Mildred Atkinson, December 16, 1914, at Blencoe, Iowa.

Mr. Hale had been re-elected to his post as supervisor at the general election of 1952, and would have completed his present term of office in January of 1954.

Mr. Hale belonged to many organizations, among them being his membership in the First Christian Church, of Onawa. He was an active Mason, having been a member of Vesper Lodge, -23, A.F. and A.M., at Onawa, and of the Sioux City Consistory. He also was a member of the Order of Eastern Star at Onawa. In addition, being a member of the Eagle Lodge, at Onawa, and also the Onawa Country Club.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, at 10:00 A.M., at the Blencoe Congregational Church, with Rev. Barney Crockett, of the Congregational Church, and Rev. Everett Epperson, of the Christian Church, officiating. Burial was made in the Blencoe cemetery, under the direction of the Pearson Funeral Home, Onawa. Comfort in song was furnished by Mrs. Lois Rock, Mrs. Ila Cartmell, Mrs. Mary Ann Prichard and Mrs. Gene Carlson, who sang “Whispering Hope” and “Resting In His Love”. Honorary bearers were Frands Kafton, A. J. Johnson, L. C. Myrland, James Shinn, Walter Wright, Glen Myrland, Orland Ferris, Van Quackenbush, Ervin Clark, Dwight Hubbard, Ray Rawlings, Clarence Myrland, John Beardsley, and Dr. S. N. Anderson. Active bearers were Carl Nikoliasen and John Comfort, Dick Cartmell, Harry Nielsen, Hugh Gray, Glen Chapman, Wayne Gatchell, Harry Williams and Clarence Nikoliasen. The Masonic lodge members attended the services in a group.

Survivors, in addition to the widow, Mildred, are tow daughters, Mrs. Frank Dehn and Mrs. Betty Menzel, of Blencoe; a son, Harold, of Abilene, Texas; four sisters, Mrs. Jesse Courtney, of Whiting, Mrs. Pearl Smith, of Hornick, and Mrs. Ruby E. Schrader of Dow City, Iowa; four brothers, Venoy of Van Nuys, Calif.; William and Henry, of Onawa, Iowa, and G. R. of Fayetteville, Ark. He is also survived by seven grandchildren.

- paper and paper date unknown