 E. C. Howe 1872 - 18 May 1948 The Sunday Gazetteer May 1, 1898 pg. 1 A PUBLIC MISFORTUNE Street Commissioner Patrick J. Howe Dies After a Short Illness The End was Peaceful. Surrounded by Family and Friends. Funeral Ceremony at St. Patrick's Church No event that has happened in this community in years created more profound sorrow than the death of Patrick J. Howe, which occurred at his home on Morton street Wednesday evening. The sickness of Mr. Howe was very brief, death came very rapidly. Although he had reached the ripe age of over sixty-six years he was a well preserved man physically, capable of combating disease. No one supposed how serious his sickness was until the day of his death, when the public heard that he was sinking very rapidly and that the attending physician had abandoned all hope, and told his family and friends to prepare for the worst. Mr. Howe was sick only a little over a week. The immediate cause of death was typhoid-pneumonia. No sick man ever had kinder attention; his children, devoted to their father, gave him every loving and filial attention. They were at the bedside when the hand of sickness was laid gently upon him, and they were there when death closed his eyes in eternal sleep and peace. And then there was the good old wife who had shared his joys and sorrows throughout so many years, who has stood shoulder to shoulder, as faithful in death as when she gave him her hand and heart in the days of auld lang syne. And friends were ready to make every sacrifice for his comfort and were watchful to the end. But the love of children, the deviotion of wife and the sympathy and attention of friends was of no avail. It is given unto all men to die, and Patrick J. Howe paid the debt of nature. Patrick J. Howe was respected in official life. He has been a faithful servant in Denison for a number of years, and as Mayor Lebrecht said to the writer when his death was announced, "There is no one to take his place." His umblemished integrity and sterling worth were never questioned. He never shirked his duty, and his services to the city were worth twice more than he ever was paid. While he was stern and unflexible in the line of duty, his men respected and obeyed him implicitly. No street commissioner has ever approached Patrick J. Howe in a faithful and efficient performance of duty. He revolutionized the entire system of street improvements. The death of such a man is a public calamity, there is none to come after him to take his place. When death smote him he was just ready to enter upon a third official term, twice elected by the council and overwhelmingly elected by the people. Mr. Patrick J. Howe was born in Limerick Co., Ireland, February 7, 1832. He came to this county in 1850, and soon after located in St. Louis, where he served in the capacity of civil engineer for eight years. In 1858 he married Miss Ellen Cullinane. From St. Louis he removed to Jefferson City, Missouri, to fill the position of superintendent of construction on the Kansas & Pacific railroad, with headquarters in Lawrence, Kansas. He removed to Topeka, Kansas in 1876 and purchased a farm where he resided for nine years. Tired of farming he came to Texas thirteen years ago, having sold his Kansas property, and engaged in railroading on the Houston & Texas Central, residing at Corsicana. He came to Denison nine years ago. For a year or two he filled the position of Assistant Baggage Master on the M.K. & T. Ry. here. He was appointed to the office of street commissioner in 1895 and had just been elected to a two year term at the time of his death. The wife and children survive him, four girls and three boys. The girls are all married and reside in Denison, Mrs. M.J. Sweeney, Mrs. Ed Finn, Mrs. A.T. Extrom, and Mrs. Dan McCarty. The oldest son, who is also married, resides in Corsicana, and is engaged in railroading. The other two boys live in Denison and are employed on the M.K. & T. Mr. Howe was buried Friday forenoon from St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Requiem High Mass was said by the Rev. Father Donaghue of Dallas. The funeral was conducted under the auspices of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, of which order the deceased was a devoted and efficient member. The funeral was a spontaneous outpouring of our citizens to pay their last respects to the memory of one whom they had esteemed so highly in life. The mayor and members of the city council, the Denison fire department, and other branches of the city government participated at the funeral obsequies. The 6th Regiment band of the Texas volunteer guards played the death march from Saul to and from the grave. High Mass said for the repose of the soul of the deceased consumed over one hour and was deeply impressive. The walls of St. Patrick never echoed to sweeter music than came from the choir during High Mass. Rev. Father Crowley conducted the services and paid a feeling and eloquent tribute to the worth of the deceased. He spoke of the unostentatious life, and gave an instance of his goodness of heart and charity. He praised his public career and declared that all Denison was indebted to the deceased for the faithful manner in which he had discharged the public trust as street commissioner. The floral tributes were magnificent, and so plentiful that the coffin was literally hid from view under the deluge of flowers contributed by members of the family and sympathizing friends. The funeral cortege was one of the largest and most imposing ever witnessed upon the streets of Denison. Patrick J. Howe was very dear to the hearts of our people. Peace to his ashes. Calvary Cemetery Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message |
