SUNDAY'S OBITUARY - Patrick Henry Dawes (1860-1889)

This portrait was being sold by the
Mobile Museum - from an article in the
Mobile Press-Register, 3 Nov 1985

Patrick Henry Dawes was born in Mobile, Alabama, on December 14, 1860. His parents were Patrick Henry Dawes (1830-1880) and Mary Ann (1835-1889), both immigrants from Ireland. He worked as a cashier/bookkeeper for Tonsmiere & Craft, local grocers on Dauphin Street. He also was a volunteer firefighter with Merchants Steam Fire Company No. 4, whose house was located on Conti Street, west of Jackson.

On February 14, 1885, Patrick married Emma Elizabeth Horst (1865-1923), fifth child and oldest daughter of Martin Horst (1830-1878) and Apollonia Weinschenk (1829-1908), both immigrants from Germany and my 3x-great-grandparents. Emma was the younger sister of my great-great-grandfather Charles Frederick Horst (1856-1912).

Together Patrick and Emma had two children, one who died at birth, and one daughter - Zoe  Josephine Dawes (b. December 23, 1887). The couple lived in a house on the east side of St. Emmanuel Street with their little daughter but their life together would be a short one. On November 9, 1889, at 6 in the evening Patrick died. He was just 28 years old. He left behind his wife of 4 1/2 years and daughter Zoe, not quite two.



Mobile Register
10 Nov 1889
[CLICK TO ENLARGE]

DEATH OF PATRICK H. DAWES

   "Mr. Patrick H. Dawes died at six o'clock yesterday evening at the residence of his sister, Mrs. Addie Betrix. He had been in delicate health for some time past, and about a week ago was forced to leave his post of duty. He arrived in the city yesterday afternoon about three o'clock from Montgomery.
   The deceased was born in Mobile December 14, 1860, and the greater portion of his life was spent in this city. He was educated at Richardson's Academy, and about twelve years ago entered the employ of the late firm of Tonsmiere & Craft as a clerk, being shortly afterward promoted to the position of bookkeeper. He remained with this firm until its dissolution, when he became a partner in the firm of Craft & Co. About two years ago he withdrew from this firm and became bookkeeper for F. E. Tutwiler & Co., where he remained a few months, and then accepted a similar position with James O'Brien in Montgomery.
  He was for a number of years a member of the Mobile Rifle Company, and took part in the competitive drills of that company at Nashville, Houston, Dubuque, Mobile and New Orleans.
   He married Miss Emma Horst, who with one daughter survives him. He also leaves a mother, two sisters, Mrs. Addie Betrix, of this city, and Miss Ellie Simpson, of Montgomery, three brothers, E.J. and R.B. Dawes of this city, and W.W. Dawes, of Meridian, and a large circle of friends to mourn his death.
   The deceased was of a quiet and unassuming disposition, and possessed of those qualities of head and heart which endeared him to all with whom he came in contact. The time and place of the funeral are announced elsewhere." (Mobile Register, 10 Nov 1889)

Emma married again, on November 7, 1892 to Charles Monroe Altice (1864-1943), a 29-year-old grocer. They would have three children of their own. Zoe married Thomas Parker Cumberland (1883-1973) on October 7, 1908, in Mobile. They had no children.