Kendall County, Illinois Genealogy

Edwin E. Howes

Death Came Suddenly

Kendall County Record, May 28, 1919

Edwin Howes, one of Yorkville's old soldiers, answered Death's call suddenly Saturday, May 24. He had been mowing his lawn at the home in the south end of the village when he felt faint. Getting to the house, he died before assistance could be had. Heart failure was the direct cause of his demise. Mr. Howes had lived in Yorkville about ten years and, with his family, had made many good and lasting friends who join with the bereaved relative in mourning the death of such an excellent character. The funeral was held from the late home Tuesday afternoon, with interment in the Millington-Newark cemetery with his parents. The Rev. E. K. Hester had charge of the service.

Edwin Howes was born in New York state June 20, 1839, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Howes, and came to Kendall County when a boy with his parents. He was the only one left of six brothers and sisters, but surviving are widow, two daughters, Clara E. at home and Mrs. Myrtle Hatch of Downers Grove; two sons, William E. of Saskatchewan, Canada, and Thomas of San Francisco, and nine grandchildren.

Enlisting in the Union Army in 1861, Mr. Howes served throughout the war. He was wounded and captured at Britton's Lane, and was temporarily paroled. He was again captured near Atlanta, July 22, 1864, and was sent to Andersonville. He escaped from this prison after eight months confinement and made his way to the Union lines near Wilmington, North Carolina, in February 1865. Mr. Howes was a brave soldier and took part in 23 engagements.

The marriage of Miss Josephine Keyes and Mr. Howes was solemnized near Grant City, Missouri, September 7, 1873. For a number of years this couple had lived near Naperville where Mr. Howes worked at his vocation as a farmer. About ten years ago he retired and the family came to Yorkville. He was a member of the Baptist Church and was a devoted Christian gentleman. He was active in the local G. A. R.

Notes written by David L. Read, grandson of Edwin Howes' daughter Myrtle (Howes) Hatch.

This obituary may be incorrect in claiming Edwin Howes escaped from Andersonville Prison if James Jennings' diary is correct in stating they escaped from a POW train during a period of prisoner exchange negotiations.

Myrtle (Howes) Hatch lived with her daughter Fern (Hatch) Read, son-in-law Milton, and grandchildren Robert, David, and Mary Read at 4925 Elm St. in Downers Grove, Illinois between 1966 and 1971. Myrtle Howes died June 27, 1972 at Lisle, Illinois.