Louis M. Hogan 1846-1870

HOGAN, KEEGAN, COOPER

Posted By: CHERYL MOONEN (email)
Date: 6/10/2018 at 18:16:06

Dubuque Daily Times, Wednesday, Nov 30, 1870, Dubuque, IA, Page: 4

Death of Louis M. Hogan

From day to day death walks in our midst. We no sooner return from one funeral than we hear someone else is dead, and again the sad services are repeated. The sanitary systems of our city are conductive to health. No epidemic is prevailing-no unusual mortality occurs except what might be expected in a city-yet the hearse, the bell, obsequies and the long procession to Linwood occurring weekly. Remind the mourner no less than the observer, we are mortal and must soon pass on the same road to “that bourne from whence no traveler returns”. That the infant must die is not unusual, that the aged die is to be expected; and that the young or middle aged depart suddenly – by accident or insidious and unsuspected disease is not remarkable, still, the whisper that such a one “is dead” startles the hearer and suggests the solemn thought that death comes to all, and is always nearly unwelcomed.

Louis M. Hogan was born in Scott County, Iowa in 1846 his parents were of the early settlors of the Iowa Territory, and Louis first saw the light of life in the year which the Territory became a state.

Both his parents died when he was quite young, but he was well cared for in childhood by kind friends, and on reaching the age when he should mark out his path of life, he chose to learn some trade of the mechanic arts.

Accordingly, he chose to learn and practice someone of the branches of wagon manufacture, and sought the privilege of doing so in the establishment of A. A. Cooper. He had resided for some time with a brother of Mr. Cooper, and was, perhaps recommended as a proper man for the part of the business he wished to learn. This was only eight years ago. Louis M. Hogan at the age of sixteen then began to work which he continued to the hour of his death. He was soon found, as his employer says, faithful, true, trustworthy and industrious, economical and worthy of all encouragement and credit. He commenced work for Mr. Cooper in 1868, as an apprentice in the wood department of his extensive wagon factory, and by patient application and untiring industry soon mastered his trade. Step by step he advanced upward in the establishment of his employer, until Louis was prompted to the responsible position of foreman, a post which he held to the day of his death.

Having acquired by his industry and economy sufficient means to warrant the support of a family, this good man married a daughter of a fellow citizen, John Keenan, about two years ago. He had a pleasant residence near the place of his business, and so far as human expectation could be relied upon , he had, until yesterday, a half century of life’s enjoyment s and prosperity before him.

But the fatal archer, who never misses his mark, came to him yesterday afternoon at half past two o’clock, while Louis stood at his work handling the lumber which he had just marked off for another workmen, and also working upon it himself, as he sank upon the floor, to the consternation of those present, it was evident that his last hour had come. It was but a few steps to his house, to which he was bourne by kindly hands to the presence of his wife. But in the space of five minutes from the first premonitory symptoms of death, he was no more- not apparently conscious from the moment between the vigor of health and the fatal embrace of death.

Mr. Hogan leaves a bereaved widow and one child to mourn his loss. It is seldom that such a sudden death occurs at any period of life; but it is more startling when a young man, even, Before his prime is called from such a family and such a circle of associates , who loved him-a man with a clear head, a good heart and generous impulses.

He had charge of an important department of Mr. Cooper’s manufactory, a position to which he had attained from an apprentice, and such was the high estimate by which he was held by his employer, that is said his place cannot be easily supplied. The sad mourning of as large circle of personal friends and associates, the sympathy of the whole community for the afflicted wife, and the condolence even of citizens who were strangers to him will follow those who are afflicted by the premature death of that honorable young man – the lamented LOUIS M. HOGAN. He died from the disease of the heart. At least, such is the opinion of the attending physician.

It may be some satisfaction to his acquaintances to know that he had the prudence to insure his life, and that his widow will receive $2,000 on the insurance policy. This, in addition to the profit from the investments of his savings in building a series of brick tenements on the corner of Third and Locust Streets will, it is hoped, provide a competence for the bereaved family.