Earl W. Dowd

Jody Hane2021-02-05T18:46:04-06:00

Name: Earl W. Dowd
Location of Birth: Tower, Minnesota
Date of Birth:
Date of Death: July 5, 1932
Parents:
High School and Class:
College:
Highest Rank: PVT 1CL (Private First Class)
Branch: Army
Other Branch:
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Military Highlights:
Earl served with the Minnesota 56th Pioneer Infantry.

Wars Involved:
World War I

MIA / POW:

Civilian Life:
Information from news article in Itasca Iron News, dated July 8, 1932:

"Earl Dowd Dead
Fractured Skull
Accident Night of Fourth Took Well Known Taconite Man. Left Wife, Four Children
Earl Dowd of Taconite died at 4:00 o'clock Tuesday morning, without regaining consciousness, from an accident that occurred between nine and ten o'clock the evening of the Fourth, in which he sustained a fractured skull.
Developments since the accident are that a second inquest was held Wednesday, conducted by Coroner A. P. Peterson, County Atty. W. B. Taylor and Deputy Sheriff Wm. Crisp, in an effort to learn if anyone saw the passing car that probably hit Dowd, and caused his death. Evidence given Wednesday was such that the county authorities decided that another inquest will be held Saturday, July 16, by which time it is possible that the alleged hit-and-run driver may be in custody, as rather definite information has been given by those who claim to have seen a car pass, turn, and return to the scene of the tragedy.
As nearly as can be arrived at, the story of the accident is this: Earl Dowd, with Dan Chamberlain accompanying him, took Mr. Reed to his home on the Bigfork road. When Reed got out of the car, the steering gear locked and they could not start the car.
Mr. Hecomovich, coming along with his truck, pushed the car some distance. He was in a hurry to get to a dance, and did not wait long. As they were debating what to do, Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Kent drove up, stopping a short distance away to see what was the trouble. Kent got out and the three men tried to turn the car. In so doing, in the dark, it slid into the ditch. Chamberlain and Kent left Dowd sitting on the running board and went back to Kent's car to talk to Mrs. Kent. As they stood talking, a car went by, there was a sound as though of impact, and Mrs. Kent said, "That car struck something." They hurried back to the Dowd car, and found Dowd lying half under the car, between the front wheels, his head and face badly cut, unconscious. It is thought that he got up from the running board and stood on the edge of the road and was hit by the car that Mrs. Kent saw pass.
Mr. Dowd was taken to Itasca hospital in Grand Rapids, where he died Tuesday morning at four o'clock.
Mr. Dowd came to Taconite in 1907 or 1908, and conducted a pool hall and confectionery. He leaves a wife and four children, and a host of friends.
Earl Dowd was a member of the American Legion, and they, with the Moose lodge of Bovey, conducted the funeral services yesterday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock in the village hall at Taconite. Rev. J. A. McGaughey of the Presbyterian church of Bovey-Coleraine preaching the funeral sermon. Burial was made in Lakeview cemetery. Pall bearers were from the American Legion, Jack Carson, Russell Barkla, Jas. Meade, Joe Skorich, Leo Downing, John Griffith. Honorary pall bearers were members of the Moose Lodge, Ole Mangseth, Ed. Loomis, James McNevin, Al. Embury, Floyd Witherelll, John Brown."

Earl is buried in Lakeview Cemetery at Coleraine, Minnesota. (Original - Block 31, Lot 16)

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