- Henry's obituary entitled "Death of H. H. LaRue" states:
Early in the evening, H.H. LaRue, who owned an old flat bottom boat, began the work of getting his stock on the bottom out of danger. He was assisted in the work from time to time by T.O. Bell, superintendent of water works, who had gone to the pump station and remained there trying to fill the big tank until the advance of the water made further effort useless. He was then taken off in the boat by Mr. LaRue and the two got all the stock in and started for home. Evidently Mr. LaRue concluded afterwards that he could do some good at the Fair grounds, as he was shortly afterward assisting the unfortunates there. Some of these had taken refuge in the grand stand and were really in a dangerous plight, as the water was ten feet deep in front of them and no one could tell whether or not the structure would withstand the force of the flood. It was after 1 o’clock when this work was finished and Mr. LaRue decided to start for home. He called for some one to help him and Millard Jackson, a young man living east of town, volunteered. Young Jackson says the trip was made without incident until they reached the vicinity of the pump station. Jackson was rowing and LaRue was holding a lantern and directing the course of the boat. The latter then said, "I know where we are now. Look out for the electric wire," referring to the lines running to the pump station. The water was high enough to take them close to it. He had scarcely uttered the words when the boat carried them against the wire. LaRue threw up his hand and the wire touched his hand, burning the flesh to the bone. Death must have been instantaneous. He fell overboard and Jackson made an unsuccessful effort to catch him. Jackson kept shouting to cut the wires and word was finally sent to the electric plant and the lights shut off. The young man then made his way to shore. By daylight the work of recovering the body was begun and it was after 11 o’clock when Wilt Devore, one of a party on a raft constructed for the purpose, found it. It was taken to Boham’s undertaking establishment.
Sad Death of H. H. LaRue
Henry Howitt LaRue, eldest son of Franklin and Amelia (Chapin) LaRue, was born in Stockbridge, Michigan, July 11, 1852, and passed from this life at the age of 51 years, 1 month, and 16 days on Thursday morning, August 27, at about 2 o’clock.
Mr. LaRue was educated in the public schools of Lansing, Michigan, and the Wesleyan University at Bloomington, Ill., having removed with his parents to McLean county, Illinois in 1864. In February of 1873 he with his father removed from Illinois to Mercer township in this county for the purpose of improving tracts of land previously purchased by them.
After farming summers and teaching school winters for several years, he decided to sell his land and go into the lumber business. Realizing the importance of a thorough knowledge of the business in which he had decided to embark he entered the employ of Mr. Ralph Newcomb, and soon rose to be foreman of the yard and when the opportunity came to purchase the Beymer yard he did so and launched out into business for himself, remaining at the same stand for about twenty years. The great Corning fire swept away everything in his lumber yard, but with characteristic courage and energy he began rebuilding as soon as the smouldering embers were distinguished.
He was married to Miss Emeline L. Jennings of McLean county, Illinois in January 1883. To this union were born three children, two of which, Ida A. and Albertus Franklin, together with the mother survive him. The other child Roy Joseph died in infancy. He also leaves a father, a brother, Frank, and two sisters, Mrs. Fred Kennon and Miss Myra LaRue, and a host of other relatives. His mother and four sisters having preceded him to the other side.
He was a faithful, consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, serving the local church in an official capacity for many years. He also served on the city council for several years, doing excellent work in the best interests of the community. Strong in his convictions of right and wrong, courageous in a marked degree, a man of broad education and information, of high ideals and strictest integrity of character. This community as well as his immediate family has met with an inreparrable loss in his untimely end.
The funeral will be held from the M. E. church at 10 o’clock Sunday morning. Interment in Walnut Grove cemetery.
Died
Henry Howitt LaRue, an account of whose tragic death is given elsewhere in this paper, was born at Stockbridge, Mich., July 11, 1852. He was the eldest son of Franklin and Amelia (Chapin) LaRue. His parents removed in 1864 to McLean county, Ill., and he received his education at Weslyan University at Bloomington. In February, 1873, he came with his father to this county for the purpose of improving tracts of land in Mercer township which they had purchased. Several years later he decided to go into the lumber business and entered the employ of Ralph Newcomb. Later he bought the Beymer lumber business yard and for twenty years had been in business at the same location in Corning. His entire yard was destroyed by the big fire of 1896, but he immediately began the work of rebuilding and was soon in business again. He was married January, 1883, in McLean county, Ill., to Miss Emeline L. Jennings and three children were born to them. Ida C. and Albertus Franklin are still living with their mother, Roy Joseph having died in infancy. His father, his brother Frank and two sisters, Mrs. Fred Kennon and Miss Myra LaRue, also survive him.
Mr. LaRue was one of the most useful citizens Corning has ever had. Broadly charitable, always ready to assist in public improvement or private charity, a hard worker for those in whom he interested himself as well as in his own business, he was a man of more than ordinary helpfulness and usefulness. Few men there are who would respond more willingly to appeals of a reasonable nature and fewer still who would bring the energy and the ability to the work after the first response. The work he was engaged in the night he lost his life is only an instance of his disposition to work and work hard for the relief of those in distress and this same disposition was displayed many times during the years of his residence here. He was a member of the city council several years and rendered valuable service in that capacity. The community has lost one of its most valuable members, a man of strong and courageous convictions, of wide information and high character, of wide information and high character, and the terrible manner of his death only adds to the general grief.
The funeral was held Sunday morning from the Methodist church of which the deceased had long been a faithful member. A very brief service was previously held at the house. The services were conducted by Rev. W. H. Shipman assisted by Rev. J. A. Lovejoy at the home, by Rev. C. A. Haskett, who read the scripture lessons at the church, and Rev. M. V. Higbee, who led in prayer. The singing was conducted by a male quartette, consisting of Pierce Metz, J. E. Carmichael, Walter Newcomb and A. Ray Maxwell. The sermon was preached by the pastor, Rev. W. H. Shipman, from the text, "Be ye therefore also ready for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh," to a congregation that filled every part of the church including the aisles and vestibule, and a very large number were unable to get into the church. The pall bearers were Ralph Newcomb, A. B. Turner, I. T. Homan, John Gillet, E. H. Sheppard and F. M. Davis. After the impressive service in the church, the casket was interred in the Walnut Grove cemetery.
|
1852 - 1903 (51 years)
[1, 2, 3, 4, 5] 
