George E. Howell (1852-1931)

DONEGAN, FLANNERY, HOWELL, SCOTT

Posted By: Eileen Reed (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:49

The Eagle Grove Eagle
Eagle Grove, Iowa
Thursday, April 09, 1931
Page 1, Column 3

GEO. HOWELL BURIED HERE MONDAY A. M.

Came to Eagle Grove as Locomotive Engineer in 1881, Moving to Pekin, Ill., 15 Years Ago.

George E. Howell died in a hospital at Chicago, Ill., early Saturday morning, April 4. The remains were brought to Eagle Grove Monday morning and funeral services were held in Sacred Heart church at 9 o'clock.

Mass was celebrated by, Father John Howell, nephew of the deceased, assisted by Rev. Father Nolan and Rev. Father O’Toole. At the conclusion of the mass, the funeral sermon was preached by Father O'Toole. Interment was in the family lot at Calvary cemetery.

Was Pioneer Resident

Mr. Howell was closely identified with the early history growth and development of Eagle Grove. He came here when the town was just starting. He invested in Eagle Grove property and always had a firm faith in its future. Associated with his brother, John H. Howell, the Howell block was built in 1891. He built a number of fine residences here, including the present James Sterling home and the Joseph Wernet home in the east part of town. At one time Mr. Howell owned the lots which the Masonic Temple and other buildings in that block now occupy, the half a block across the street which he sold to the Sinclair Oil Company, the half block just east of the Great Western depot and many other business and residence properties. He was one of the organizers and first directors of the Security Savings Bank. In the early days he vlsioned Eagle Grove as a city with a bright future and as the town grew and prospered, he saw his judgment vindicated.

Obituary

George E. Howell was born at Elgin, Ill., June 23, 1852. A short time thereafter his parents moved to Nachusa, Ill., where he lived until he was 22 years of age. He then left his home on the farm and went to Clinton, Iowa, where he was employed as a checker in a saw mill owned by the W. J. Young Company. Two years later he entered the employ of the Northwestern railroad as fireman at Clinton, and in 1881 was sent to Eagle Grove where he was employed as locomotive engineer, and continued in that occupation here until he was transferred to Sterling, Ill., about 15 years ago. He ran a passenger train between Sterling and Peoria until he was pensioned a few years ago. Mr. Howell married Miss Nana Flannery of DeWitt, Iowa, and to this union, six children were born, Raymond and Edward, who died in infancy, Esther, who died in 1926, Naomi, who died in 1929, Harold of Chicago, and George of Baltimore, Md. Mrs. Howell died in 1916 at Sterling, Ill. Also surviving are a brother and sister living in Eagle Grove, John H. Howell and Mrs. M. D. Donegan: Two other sister survive, one living in Chicago, and the other living in Cherokee, Ia. Those attending the funeral from out of the city were, George Howell, Baltimore, Md., John Scott, a nephew, of Chicago, and Father John Howell of Dubuque.

The sincere sympathy of all is extended the sorrowing relatives in the hour of their great bereavement.

June 23, 1852 – April 4, 1931