Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1913-02-28
WILLIS HowERroN DEAD.

Another of the old boys who wore
the blue answered the last roll call
last Friday morning, when Willis
Howerton, one of the early settlers
of this county, passed to the other
side, death being due to a paralytic
stroke which he suffered the even
ing previous, previous to which time
he had been enjoying fairly good
health, although for many years prac-
tically an invalid, and his sudden
death was great shock to his many
acquaintance and old friends.
Willis Howerton was born in NJ
remburg, KY, December 3, 1912, be-
ing at the time of his death 20 years,
2 months and Is days Of age. When
but 10 years of age he enlisted in
Co. B., 26th Kentucky Infantry of
the Union army as a private, serving
honOrably and we'll through the en-
tire war and at its close had been
advanced to the rank of a corporal.
Shortly after the close Of the war he
was married and with his wife came
to Barton county in 1872 and located
on a farm north of Dundee, and at
the organization of Liberty township
in 1879 was selected as its first trus.
tee, and during his many years resi-
dence in this locality was at differ.
ent times honOred with various offic.
es which he filled in a conscientious
and pleasing manner.
Mr.. Howerton's first wife died in
1888, and in 1898 he was united in
marriage to Mrs. Dana Engle of this
city. He was one of the charter
members of the Christian church Of
this city and was also a member Of
the Masonic lodge and the G. A. R
Funeral services were held at thu
Christian church in this city Satur
day afternoon under the auspices o.
the Masons and G. A. R., and the
body taken to Pawnee Rock for bur
ial, interment being made there Sun
day morning. He is survived by his
wife, a step-son, Harry Engle, O
Wichita, and three brothers, Thoma,
, and James Howerton of Missouri. an,
+ Redman Howerton of Washington.
Thus has another of the sturdy pic
neers of this great state gone to hi
reward, the reward of those whit
nave fought the good fight and hav,
kept the faith. Willis Howerton wa
a good man and good friend. Quie
and unassuming in manner, he wa
a man with strong convictions an,
the courage to live up to them n,
matter in what position he might b,
placed, he was admired and esteeme,
by all who knew him. 1t had beef
the privilege of the writer to know
Mr.. HOwerton intimately since eal
Hest childhood and we wildly re
member when as a Small boy W,
, Dreathlessly listened to his tales O
: the dark days of the war and of tn,
hardships and privations endured b,
the brave boys who followed tn.
: stars and stripes during those awfu
> years, never however taking any o
the credit for the many valorou
r deeds performed, but those who serv
ed with him during those years sa.
that Drawer or a better man neve
wore the blue. He was always deep
ly interested in the welfare of tn,
entire community, but especially il
the teachings and upbuilding of TIT
young people, and only the Afternoon
; before his death had attended thu
Washington Day exercises in one o.
the rooms and had made a short
talk to the students, encouraging
them to higher ideals and ambitions
for more noble manhood and woman
hood.
The many friends of Mr.. Howerton
Join in sorrow with the family over
the death Of useful and esteemed
citizen.