Hower, Katherine (Mrs. Andrew) 1844-1925

HOWER, HANZEL

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke--Volunteer
Date: 6/30/2017 at 22:41:23

Source: Fort Dodge Messenger and Chronicle (1-20-1925)

Birth: August 18, 1844
Death: January 19, 1925

MRS. ANDREW HOWER, PIONEER RESIDENT, DIED MONDAY

Funeral services for Mrs. Andrew Hower, pioneer settler took place this morning at 9 a. m. at Sacred Heart church. Services were conducted by the RevEREND W. P. Desmond. Burial was in the Corpus Christi Cemetery. The pall bearers were D. J. Coughlan, John Conway, Martin Ertl, Joseph Kleber, Nicholas Kaufman and Henry Lex.

Mrs. Andrew Hower, eighty-one years of age, a pioneer resident of Fort Dodge died at Mercy hospital Monday following an illness of many months. For many years an invalid Mrs. Hower because of her remarkable vitality was able to combat the infirmities of age until several months ago when she was confined to her bed. Since then she has been failing steadily. Born August 18, 1844 in Bohemia Mrs. Hower came to this country at the age of seven. The family moved first to Dubuque and then to Shakopee, Minnesota. In 1865 she was married to Andrew Hower who then lived in Jordan, Minnesota. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Fort Dodge where they made their home, Mr. Hower dying fifteen years ago.

The story of their struggle in the early days is typical of the time when native ability and industry conquered the hardships of pioneer life. When they first came to Fort Dodge Mr. Hower worked in the fields harvesting wild hay. After a little money had been saved they started a small store at the corner of Central Avenue and Twelfth Street, living in the rear of the building while the front was given over to the mercantile business. Mrs. Hower managed the business while Mr. Hower did work around town wherever he could find it. They were getting along nicely when fire destroyed everything and they were forced to start over again. This they did and a little later Mr. Hower went into the flour and feed business and he was known over a wide territory for his activities in that field.

In 1882 Mrs. Hower was severely injured in a railroad accident and this left her an invalid the rest of her life but in spite of this handicap she was able after her husband’s death to manage and develop his property.

Having no children of their own Mr. and Mrs. Hower reared three girls, one Irene, dying at the age of sixteen years and Elizabeth Allen and Mrs. Nellie Shisler who survive and with whom Mrs. Hower lived on First Avenue South and Twelfth Street until she was taken to Mercy Hospital several months ago. There are five grandchildren Clarke and George Allen, Mrs. Harold Dickerson, Betty and Jane Shisler. Philip Hoffman is a nephew of Mrs. Hower and John Hower of Los Angeles was a cousin of the late Mr. Hower.

Mrs. Hower was a devoted member of Sacred Heart Church. Funeral services will be held there Thursday morning at 9:00. Bishop Heelan, former pastor of the church and a personal friend of Mr. and Mrs. Hower has been invited to conduct the services but no definite word has been heard from his yet.