DOW CITY IN GLOOM
Denison Review – December 6, 1906
DOW CITY IN GLOOM
Death of Mrs. S. E. Dow and Mrs. Edmund Howorth
MANY ATTEND THE FUNERALS
The Death of these Two Prominent Ladies Causes the Greatest Grief
and Sorrow in the County
The death at Dow City on Thanksgiving day of two of the pioneer women of Crawford county, has cast a gloom over the community, the like of which has not been felt for years. In the death of Mrs. S.E. Dow and Mrs. Edmund Howorth, the community loses two of its most beloved and highly respected and honored citizens, whose long life of usefulness and labor for the uplifting of humanity and for the fulfillment of the Christian duties, ended just twelve hours after each other, and caused the profoundest sorrow.
It is with the deepest sorrow and regret that we are compelled to chronicle these sad events, extend to the bereaved families and friends our deepest sympathy. Many friends from Denison attended the double funeral of these pioneers which was held at Dow City on Sunday, and the floral tributes were beautiful, thus attesting the high worth and esteem in which these aged pioneers were held. We give below a complete obituary together with fine portraits of these two Crawford County pioneers.
It seemed so fitting and appropriate to have both funerals at one time, arrangements were made to have the funeral services in the Methodist Church where the largest concourse of people assembled that was ever present at a funeral service before in this vicinity, the prominent position of both families in the community each having a large circle of friends and relatives who were all desirous of showing respect to the memories of these saintly ladies who had lived so long and had such large acquaintances and the further fact that just thirty days previous, the funeral services of Mr. Dow had been held at the same place.
While the sadness of a double funeral was great, the keenness of loss was felt in the removal of these three worthy pioneers, when all who follow in the footsteps of the Master will be reunited, is such a satisfaction to remaining friends. The platform and railing were beautifully draped, many palms, ferns and flowers in great abundance were arranged so neatly, everything being done that thoughtful friends could do to strip death of its terror and gloom to the bereaved friends, the music rendered was appropriate. The prayer by Rev. Curtis was full of holy unction leading the congregation close to the throne of God, filling their hearts with the inspiring spirit of the Holy Ghost the Comforter Christ promised to send to his disciples. The sermon by Rev. Bancroft was on the fruits of the Christian life as described by Job in the sheaf of corn fully ripe being gathered into the garner, Mr. Bancroft's able and eloquent presentation of the subject was much appreciated.
The interment was made in the Dow City cemetery. The two caskets, two hearses, two companies of mourners with the two obituaries read made a profound impression on the congregation. A large procession followed to the cemetery where the remains were laid away just as the sun was setting on this second day of December, 1906.
Double Funeral Procession - illustrative only
Mrs. S.E. Dow was born at Verona New York, March 28, 1824, and dying at her home in Dow City, Ia., on November 30th 1906, aged 82 years. She was married to S.E. Dow in Michigan Oct. 28th, 1846. They lived together for 60 years and 2 days and she survived her husband just 30 days after this long period together. With her husband she moved from Michigan to Harris Grove, Harrison County, Iowa, where they remained 'till November, 1855, when they came to Dow City, Crawford County, where she has since resided. She was the mother of six children, three of whom died in infancy, one the daughter Alma, wife of Abner Graves, well known and beloved by every one here, having died at her residence in Dow City, March 25, 1902, two sons, Asa and William, who still reside here with their families.
Mr. and Mrs. Dow were the means of organizing a Baptist church here, and of the erection of a comfortable home of worship, of which they were members at the time of their deaths. Mrs. Dow was an amiable woman, of kindly spirit, whose many friends sincerely mourn her loss. She gave herself to the service of Christ early in life, and died in the full confidence of a joyful resurrection, and the blessedness of a home in Heaven. Her virtues and character were portrayed by this writer in the obituary of Mr. Dow furnished in the Review of a month ago.
A Memorial to
Chloe Ann Dow
Born March 28, 1824 at Verona, New York
Died November 30, 1906
at Dow City, Iowa
Age 82 years, 8 years, 7 days
Services at M.E. Church, Dow City, Iowa Conducted by Rev. of Baptist Church, Dow City.
Choir: H.N. Olson, Mrs. E.R. Brake, Mrs. W.N. Schouten, W.N. Schouten
Organist: Winnie Wiggins
Song Selections: Rock of Ages, It is Well Wit My Soul, Jesus Lover of My Soul
Interment at Dow City Cemetery
Pall Bearers: Thos. Rae, Henry Bell, Robert Bell, W.V. Whaley, Wm. Housaon, Geo. Huntington
Floral Tributes
Wreath of white roses, Wm. Deal &
S.A. Deal
Mrs. Chas. Grant
Sheaf of Wheat, Geo. Rae & family
Flowers:
Dr. Carr, Eastern Star
Church Decorations:
Red & White chrysanthemums , roses & other flowers. Three pots of begonias, ferns and many others
___________________________________
It is with mingled pathos and sadness we record the death of Mrs. Edmund Howorth who passed away about the midnight hour of Nov. 30, 1906, twelve hours after the decease of her friend and neighbor, Mrs. Dow, two of the elect ladies of our community who have had such a large share in moulding the character and destiny of Dow City and neighborhood.
Mrs. Howorth was the third child of Isaac and Margaret Goodrich and was born in Mercer County, Penn. January 2nd, 1845, moving with her fathers family first to Ohio, then, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois, coming to Crawford County in October, 1854.
Mr. and Mrs. Howorth were married July 15th, 1862; and have lived happily together for 44 years and five months. Mrs. Howorth is survived by her husband, four sons and four daughters, two sons have died. Edmund at 16 years of age and James a few years ago, of the surviving sons John, Isaac, Daniel and Frank have been with her for many years while the daughters Mary and Lulu have cared for and nursed and protected her through her sickness, while Margaret, the youngest one with her husband, Mr. Fred Butler, in their distant home in the west, have always had a prayerful interest in the dear mother in the Dow City home. The fourth and oldest daughter, Mrs. Clara Gordon, a daughter of former marriage was always unceasing in her endeavors to sooth and comfort the mother who had done so much for her. Several grandchildren are left and many relatives of the Goodrich and Howorth families who are all pioneers of Crawford and Harrison counties, are left to mourn her loss. Mrs. Howorth was an affectionate wife, an indulgent mother, a kind neighbor, strong in her friendships, warm in her attachments, generous in disposition, faithful in all duties of life, warmly attached to the church of her choice, true to her God, filling in all respects the ideal wife and mother, as portrayed in the 31st chapter of the book of Proverbs her sons and her daughters being the pride o her heart and the joy of her declining days. The Baptist church to which she belonged will miss her much, the community will miss her greatly as one of those pioneer ladies who was ever ready to stretch out the hand of friendship and cheer and encourage those struggling to build up a home on our prairies, her memory will be cherished, and to her surviving husband and members of the family we will extend our warmest sympathy, commanding them to the comfort and love of our Heavenly Father who doeth all things well.
The pall bearers acting for Mrs. Howorth were Frank McHenry, A.H. Harper, Clair Butterworth, J.F. Wiley, D.J. Butler and W.B. Evans.
For Mrs. Dow, Robert Bell, William Houston, G.W. Huntington W.V. Whaley, Henry Bell and Thos. Rae.
