Pioneer Resident Gone

The older members of this community were shocked and grieved to learn of the death of Mrs. Austin Preble Howes, a pioneer woman of Blair, at her home at Long Beach, California, Mrs. Howes has not been well for some years and with Mr. Howes has spent considerable time in California.

A few weeks ago, her daughter, Mrs. W. M. (Helen) Haller and children went out there to be with her and to bring her home, should she be able to come. W. M. received word that the end came Aug. 19 and that the body would be cremated there in accordance with the wishes of the deceased.

Mrs. Howes leaves beside her husband and daughter, three dear little grandsons, whom she idolized and who will miss her greatly. She was one of ten children, three sister and two brothers surviving. They were former Blair people and will be remembered by practically all of the old times here. They are Grant, now Mrs. Ed. Ellsworth, living near Chicago; Lil, now Mrs. Sid Stevens of Chicago; Letha now Mrs. Letha Goodell, of Montclair, N. J.; Wallace of Kansas and John of San Diego, California.

The family lived in the old W. P. Cook residence on West Colfax more than twenty-five years ago.

Mrs. Howes was a woman who made friends easily, good hearted and kind and charitable toward the needy.

She was an ardent suffragist and loyally supported the cause on every occasion. Her beautiful home was many times thrown open to the public in behalf of the cause she loved so well.

Mrs. Howes had been a member of the Woman’s Club for years and whenever she was in Blair, she attended the meetings always taking her part of the program and giving to the others many interesting accounts of places she had visited as she had been east and south and west many times. Her cheerful personality made her a general favorite with all and the members will miss her greatly.

#2 Printed in the August 20, 1919 Pilot

Dr. W.M. Haller received a dispatch this morning announcing that Mrs. A.P. Howes died in Long Beach, California at 11 o’clock last night. Mrs. Howes had been ill a long time, and her friends did not receive encouraging reports, but no immediate alarm was felt, so the news comes as a shock to everyone. Her daughter, Mrs. Haller, and the children had been with her for some time, and had hoped to bring her home this week. No word was received as to the time or place of burial.

#3 Printed in the August 27, 1919 Pilot, Blair, Nebraska

The remains of Mrs. A.P. Howes, whose death at Long Beach, Calif. was reported in these columns last week, were cremated and the ashes scattered among the flowers at her request. Mrs. Wm. Haller and children and Mr. Howes expected to be here today but were unable to leave Los Angeles on account of the railroad strike.

*The first name and maiden name was recorded in the Vig Files at the Danish American Archives. Her father was Wesley Cook and her mother Delinda (Wolcott).

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clipping on file at the Blair Public Library.~~~

FindaGrave # 226400123