He died Sunday morning at 2:00 o’clock and the town mourns the loss of one of its very first citizens.  A kindly, genial, lovable man, he had ingratiated himself into the affections of our entire people and we presume he had no enemy in all the community.  The town has sat at his bedside for weeks, if not in body at least in thought and mind, waiting anxiously for good tidings of a betterment in his condition: hoping against hope that his dreadful malady might be conquered and that the venerable man might be spared to them for many years to come.  But it was not to be, and he has gone from among us and his familiar presence will henceforth be no part of our little city’s busy life.  Born in Fayette county, Ohio on April 7, 1832, Harmon Henkle was the second child of his father’s family and was eight years of age when he came with them to Iowa.  He was reared and educated in Washington county, pursuing his studies in a log schoolhouse there such as was common at the time.  After arriving at the age of maturity he was married in Washington county in 1854 to Lydia J. Wartenbee, a native of Ohio, who came in early girlhood to Iowa, and who was a faithful and helpful companion.  To this marriage were born five children; three of whom are living: Ella, now the wife of E. M.  Ritchey, of Keota, Watson D. who married Emma Hunter and is a farmer of Van Buren county: and Clara, the wife of E. E. Bower, a general merchant of Keota, carrying on business as a member of the firm of Bower & Sanders. 

  After his marriage Mr. Henkle located in Richmond, Washington county where he followed carpentering until about 1859, when he removed to Iowa county.  There he engaged in farming for two years and in the spring of 1861 took up his abode at a place which has since been called Henkletown, trading his farm property for a saw mill there.  He was then engaged in the manufacture of lumber until the close of the war and in the meantime he also turned his attention to general merchandising, which he followed successfully until his removal to Keota. 

In 1872 this town was laid out and Mr. Henkle became one of its first merchants, erecting the second or third building of the place.  He and his partner removed their stock of goods from Henkletown and conducted a general store in Keota until 1886, and in addition carried on an extensive lumber business under the firm of Henkle, Littler & Co.  This partnership was maintained for several years.  

About 1886 he purchased a third interest in a steam grist mill at Keota and carried on general merchandising in connection with his milling interests, his enterprise contributing materially to the upbuilding and substantial improvement of the town.  In August 1891, he removed his mill to Weiser, Idaho, where he conducted business until July, 1899, when he sold his interest in the mill and returned to his home here in Keota.  

Mr. Henkle has also been a factor in agricultural interests here, owning and operating a farm in Lafayette township, adjoining Keota.  He became interested in banking affairs here as one of the stockholders of the Keota Bank, which in 1890 was transformed into the Sate Bank.  Of this institution he was the vice president for many years and its successful conduct is due in no small degree to his efforts.

  S.S. Wright, who probably knew him as well and as intimately as any man in town, pays this fine tribute to Harmon Henkle’s versatility as a business man:  That he never knew another man who was so thoroughly able to step into any position, in any line of business, and fill it with such ability and credit as was this man.  His capacity in this thing amounted almost to genius.  First of all he was a successful, practical farmer, which of itself is accomplishment enough for one man.  Then he was a good carpenter and builder; he knew how to do things with his hands.  In general merchandising he was thoroughly at home.  Milling had no secrets from him.

He was equally at his ease behind the counters of a bank.  The lumber business was an open book to him.  He was a success at any line of endeavor he chose to follow.  Such adaptability is given to but few men.

  Mr. Henkle was converted in 1886 and on Feb. 10^th united with the Baptist Church of Keota and was a consistent member thereof to the day of his death, holding the offices of deacon and trustee.  He was very kind and liberal, always ready to help the needy.  He was a man who filled a large place in life.  His counsel was often sought, his judgment never questioned.  In his Christian work he was quiet and unassuming.  He made no striking demonstrations but in a quiet way he worked.  He did not talk, but he performed.  He had  virtues which all men could do well to imitate, and because of these things we feel that a kind husband, a loving father, a true friend, a wise counselor and a devoted Christian has been taken from us.

  Mr. Henkle was prominent in Masonic circles and an exemplary brother in that order, belonging to Adelphi Lodge No. 353,  Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons.  He was a staunch Republican in his political views.  His fellow citizens honored him repeatedly with offices of trust.  No man took a more active or helpful interest in Keota than he, and he continually wrought along the lines of the greatest good to the greatest number.  He was totally devoid of ostentation or vain display of any sort, knowing the value of earthly things at their true measure, living his life as simply and unpretentiously as possible.

  He was 72 years, 11 months and 12 days of age at the time of his death.  Funeral services were held at the Baptist church on Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 o’clock, conducted by Rev. George Sneath jointly with the Masonic fraternity and the body was taken to the Keota Cemetery for Burial.  

The Eagle extends its sympathies to the bereaved and sorrowing relatives.