Henry N. Donhowe (1872-1925)

DONHOWE, TOLLEFSON, HENDERSON, JOHNSON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 3/31/2024 at 16:22:08

From Story City Herald April 9, 1925 (page 1)

DONHOWE DIED SATURDAY MORNING

Remains of Popular Banker and Citizen Laid to Rest Tuesday. Large Concourse at Funeral.

On Tuesday afternoon, in the presence of an enormous concourse of relatives and friends, all that was mortal of Henry N. Donhowe was laid to rest in Fairview cemetery.

Death came to him soon after sunrise on Saturday, after every earthly means had failed to save his life from the illness which had its start just two weeks before.

Struck down in the prime of manhood and in the midst of a very active career, it has been difficult for those who knew him to reconcile themselves to the death of Mr. Donhowe. Though never of a robust physique, he had always been active and accomplished in his few years of life more than most men do who fill their three score and ten.

Mr. Donhowe was born on the farm south of Story City March 11, 1872, being thus at the time of his death a little past 53 years of age. He had the common school education of his time and in 1893 attended the academy at St. Ansgar, following which he worked in the dry goods store of his brother Olavous.

Sept. 1, 1896, he was married to Miss Tilda Tollefson at St. Ansgar, who ever since had shared his joys and sorrows. The widow with two sons and one daughter (Arthur and Erling and Mrs. Lester Henderson) survive him.

Mr. and Mrs. Donhowe lived for a while at Northwood, where he managed a clothing store, and later moved to Story City, and this has been their home ever since.

For a year or so he sold sewing machines, then with his brother John went into the clothing business here, taking up auctioneering on the side. The latter vocation soon took all his time during the sale season, as he developed into one of the most successful auctioneers in the state.

In 1909 he with his brother John and Joseph Marwick organized the Story City National Bank, of which he was at first vice-president and later president.

In 1915 he bought the Randall bank and helped organize the First National Bank of Roland and the First Liberty Bank of Eagle Grove, being president of the latter for several years. At the time of his death he was president of the Story City National and the Randall Savings Banks. He was also treasurer of the Sondhordland laget, in which he had for years taken a strong interest.

He served the county as representative in the legislature for two terms, the 39th and 40th general assemblies.

For a quarter of a century he took a prominent part in the development of his home community. Being of a generous disposition he was ever ready to extend a helping hand to anyone in need. His friendliness was a choice characteristic, and young and old remember his hearty handshake and pleasant greeting. He will be greatly missed in and around his home town.

The funeral service Tuesday afforded a striking proof of Mr. Donhowe's wide acquaintance and popularity. The church was overfilled an hour before the service was to start. There were probably two thousand people present, only a third of who could get into the church, the other two-thirds remining on the outside until they could come in to view the remains of their friend and neighbor.

Rev. Andersen preached the funeral sermon, dwelling much upon the last days of the deceased, how he had come to measure life's success not in money, fame or power, but in his relation to God.

Revs. Heimarck Paulsrud and Smedal also made brief addresses, in which they eulogized the departed in feeling words.

The floral tributes were extraordinarily large and beautiful.

Besides wife and children, the deceased leaves his aged father, his brothers Olavous, John, Nels and Peter, and sister Mrs. Sam Johnson to mourn his death.