January 29, 2013 - Albert DeHaven's Death

I need to finish writing today by sharing a Nov. 26th, 1937 clipping, following in the wake of the previously mentioned auto accident.

Injuries Fatal - "The auto accident which befell the DeHavens on Wednesday of last week, as reported in our last issue, proved fatal to the elder man (Albert DeHaven).  At first it was hoped that the injuries had been confined to external body and head bruises and cuts, but by Sunday it became apparent that there were internal injuries.  The heart had been seriously affected so that it didn't function properly and the bruises had been so deep that they affected the internal organs.  Everything that medical skill and careful nursing could do was done to save him, but all to no avail and at about 2:30 Monday afternoon the struggle was ended.

Albert DeHaven was born on October 29, 1875 at Pleasantville, Marion County, Iowa, having passed his 62nd birthday less than a month prior to his death.  When he was about 5 years old his parents moved to Calhoun County, locating on a farm near Manson, Iowa.  There he attended both grade and high school.

On February 14, 1894, he was united in marriage to Eva Ivis Iddings.  Five children were born to them; Lola L., later Mrs. Chase Stewart, who died about five years ago; Thomas Paul, Rhea Beryl, M. Jean and Oscar Glenn, all of Wessington.

Until 1908 the family remained in Iowa, moving then to the wide open spaces of the west river country and filing a homestead on land near Capa, in Stanley County, this state, where they lived for 6 years, going through all the experiences of the homestead days.  Their next move was to Forestburg where they remained two years, coming in 1915 (1916?) to Wessington which has been the family home ever since. 

Col. DeHaven was an auctioneer and live stock dealer.  As an auctioneer he was known far and wide and cried sales at far distant points.  He was an aggressive man, always on the go and never happy unless he had something to do.  After his son, Tom, came of age he was associated with his father as an auctioneer and a stock buyer, the two of them transacting thousands of dollars worth of business every month.  During the good times when hogs were grown here on a large scale the DeHavens maintained a market which attracted growers from far outside the Wessington trade territory.  They dealt very extensively in cattle, too, as well as in horses, probably furnishing the railroad with more business than any other men in town.

Col. DeHaven was a Mason; and an Odd Fellow.  He took an active interest in civic affairs and served the city as Mayor for a couple of terms some years ago.  He was especially fond of children and many a youngster around town has been the recipient of his favors and count him as their friend.

He was generous to a fault, responding to every appeal for charity, and while not a church member, he always contributed liberally toward the support of the Wessington churches.

Besides the wife and the children already mentioned he leaves a sister and a brother, Mrs. Maud Billings of Sioux City, Iowa, and Thomas C. DeHaven of Vilas, this state, and 8 grandchildren.

Funeral services were held from the home in charge of the Wessington Masonic Lodge.  Mrs. Wm.Fritz, the minister for the Church of Christ at this point preached the funeral sermon.  Interment was made in the Wessington Cemetery."