VAN AUKEN, Harry

VANAUKEN, FOLKER, KELLEY, COURTNEY

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 3/22/2014 at 05:36:20

Harry Van Auken is dead. He died at St. Joseph's hospital in Keokuk at 9:50 Monday night, April 26.

He had been at St. Joseph's some weeks ago, had partially recovered and had been home for a couple of weeks. He suddenly developed a more serious stomach trouble and had been returned to the hospital. He grew rapidly worse and one Sunday all hope was given up by the doctors.

Harry Van Auken, in his young manhood, had married Miss Stella Folker, a daughter of Cyrus Folker, in the west part of Farmington township and had settled down on a farm.

In 1915 he moved to town, and opened a meat market, in the Frank Kessler building, which venture prospered. About 1920 he moved to the Price building, next door and opened a grocery and meat business. This also prospered and and he then added dry goods and ladies furnishings About 1926 or '27 he sold his meat and grocery business to the Keileys and from then on he closed out his dry goods business and began to take an interest in local affairs, was elected mayor for two terms of two years each After that he became connected with the L.W. Shrives grocery and market as a meat cutter, when he first was taken to the hospital.

In 1936 he was again elected mayor and was serving his third term at the time of his death.

He is survived by his wife, two daughters, Mrs. C.C. Courtney of Farmington and Mrs. Eugene Kelley of Emmettsburg and one brother, Austin Van Auken of the Mt. Sterling neighborhood.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. this afternoon from the Baptist Church Mt. Moriah Lodge AF. & A.M. will conduct Masonic ceremonies. The Keosauqua Commandery of Knights of Templar will act as an escort.

Source: Scrapbook of Unknown Origin, Page 135