Henry Harrison Mott Papers

"Henry Harrison Mott Dead Last Saturday night at 9:30 the spirit of Henry H. Mott passed from the life of the life eternal. For nearly a year, Mr. Mott had been ill wit heart trouble yet several times during the year he had been able to be about and at times attend to his work as a civil engineer, but for the past month he has failed rapidly and no hope has been entertained for his recovery.

Mr. Mott was born Aug. 7, 1852, at Warren, Ohio; he spent his early days upon the farm. His education was attained in the common school of his home town and at Western Reserve Seminary where he graduated. After teaching for a time he entered the law office of Gen. Robt. Rattliff at Warren, Ohio, and was in due time admitted to the bar before the Supreme Court of Ohio.

On April 27, 1881, he was married to Miss Emma Shoemaker, of Branchville, New Jersey, whom he had met as a student at the seminary. To this union was born a son, Vallie. Shortly after their marriage they planned to make their home in the West, first in Kansas, but later their plans were changed and in June 1882, Grafton became their home, and here they have resided ever since. Mr. Mott gave up the practice of law and ever since coming to Grafton has devoted himself to the profession of civil engineering with preeminent success. During the past ten years he has given much of his time to the problem of drainage in the lower Red River valley.

He was for years an active member of the Baptist church and interested in everything which meant the moral and spiritual betterment of his fellows. Always an uncomprimising foe of the liquor traffic, he entered heartily into the enforcing of the prohibition laws of this state. He was an active member of all the local Masonic bodies and also a member of El Zagal Temple Mystic Shrine, Fargo. He was made a Mason in Warren, Ohio, before coming to North Dakota.

His funeral, which will occur this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, will be under the auspices of Crescent lodge. St. Omer Commandery K.T. will form the escort for the lodge. Rev. A.F. Newcomb, of Chicago, Ill., for many years his pastor and friend, will conduct the services. Internment will be made in the Masonic cemetery of this city.

The widow and an only son survice the deceased."

Source: Newspaper clipping in the family bible, likely from the Walsh County Record