Salem Cemetery Lot No. 22: Saml. Gookin, Owner

Although Samuel Gookin is the owner of record of Salem Cemetery Lot. No. 22, it is shared by closely related members of the Russell family, Samuel's in-laws. His parents and two brothers, Langdon and Martha (Marshall) Gookin, Marshall and Alexander, are buried in Lot No. 21, just to the east.

The tombstone at far left in the photo above marks the grave of Mary (Larrick) Russell, Samuel's mother-in-law. Buried south of her in an unmarked grave is her husband, Reuben. Next is the tumbled tombstone of John and Margaret (Gookin) Russell, obscured by a volunteer mulberry tree that needs to be removed. He was Mary's and Reuben's son; she, Samuel's sister. The first  to be buried on the lot share the next small weathered tombstone some distance south --- an infant son of John and Margaret and an infant daughter of Samuel and Lydia, both of whom died on March 12, 1863. Finally, the tall gray stone at the south end of the lot marks the graves of Samuel and Lydia (Russell) Gookin and another of their infant children.

The Gookins arrived in Lucas County from Ohio during 1852 and settled about half a mile south of Salem on property that stretched all the way to the Chariton River. The Russells arrived, also from Ohio, during 1856 and settled to the east in Washington Township some two miles south of the eventual location of Russell, which dates from 1866-67.

The Methodist Episcopal congregation organized at Salem perhaps as early as the 1850s was the only church of that denomination in the vicinity and drew many from the area that would become Russell. It may have been through Salem church that the Russells and the Gookins became so intimately acquainted.

The town of Russell, by the way, is not named for this Russell family although a legend to that effect developed. It was in fact named for H. L. Russell, trustee for the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad, who platted the town but never lived in it.

MARY

Wife of

REUBEN RUSSELL

DIED

June 18, 1875

Aged 70Yrs, 7M, 22D

There is no official record of Mary's death in Lucas County, nor a complete obituary in surviving county newspapers. An undated clipping, probably from an issue of The Chariton Patriot published shortly after her death, does note it, however: "Mrs. Russell, wife of Mr. Reuben Russell, one of the oldest citizens of Benton township, and living two and one-half miles south of Russell, died on Friday last."

REUBEN RUSSELL

Died Aug. 17, 1886

Reuben's grave is not marked, although you can see still where it is. He was living with John and Margaret Russell when the 1880 federal census was taken and perhaps died in their home six years later, too. In addition to John and Lydia, both buried here, the Russells had another child, Rebecca, who married Adam LaFollette on 1 November 1857. The LaFollettes, too, lived in Washington Township, but are buried in the Russell Cemetery.

Reuben's death seems to be formally recorded only in The Chariton Herald of Aug. 19, 1886, where the following brief mention is found:

"Mr. Reuben Russell, an old resident of this county who came to Washington township in 1856, died on Tuesday morning in his 78th year. He was buried at Bethel graveyard."

The date of death I've used here is based upon the fact this  notice was published on Thursday, Aug. 19, with the implication in it  that Reuben had died two days earlier, on Tuesday the 17th. The reference to "Bethel graveyard" is a mistake. "Bethel" was an early name for what now is known as Ragtown Cemetery, a mile southeast. That cemetery may have been associated with an early Baptist congregation perhaps called Bethel that was discontinued after First Baptist Church was established in the new town of Russell. Some years later, when Bethel United Evangelical Church was built near the McDermott or Sargent Cemetery in Cedar Township, that cemetery was given the name Bethel. The result can sometimes be confusing.

JOHN RUSSELL

Jan. 10, 1832

July 14, 1909

MARGARET, His Wife

Nov. 21, 1834

Jan. 3, 1912

Although not broken, a split in the base of the tombstone marking the graves of John and Margaret (Gookin) Russell has caused it to fall apart and collapse. The major part of the stone now is standing on its head and is partially obscured by a volunteer mulberry tree

OBITUARY: JOHN RUSSELL

Chariton Patriot, July 22, 1909

John Russell was born in Nobe county, Ohio, Jan. 10, 1832, and died at his home in Russell, Iowa, July 14, 1909, aged 77 years, 6 months and 4 days. His death comes as a release from the intense suffering of the past few days. For two years he had been a sufferer, but he bore it with great patience. He resided in Ohio until twenty-two years of age, when he came with his parents to Lucas county, Iowa, where his home had been ever since. His parents were among the first settlers, the town of Russell being named after his father (not the case, FDM).

He was married in 1857 (perhaps 1856) to Margaret Gookin, who survives him, with a son and a daughter, Albert E. Russell of Chariton, and Cornelia C. Russell of Russell; also a sister, Mrs. A. LaFollette, is left to mourn his departure. His remains were placed in the Salem cemetery beside those of his son, Alexander, who died in infancy. May the grace of the infinite God keep from day to day his bereaved ones and comfort them by his loving care.

OBITUARY: MARGARET RUSSELL

Chariton Herald Patriot, Jan. 11, 1912

Mrs. Margaret Russell died at her home in Russell on Wednesday, Jan. 3, after an extended illness. She had been a sufferer for a number of years and was confined to her home most of the time. Her daughter, Miss Callie, was with her and was always ready to administer to her every want with faithful and loving hands. The funeral services were held at the home of the deceased on Friday at 10 a.m. conducted by Rev. G. Wood, assisted by Rev. P.A. Tinkham. Interment was made at the Salem cemetery beside her husband who died July 14, 1909. Thus one of our most honored and respected pioneers has passed from our midst but her memory will ever be cherished by a large circle of relatives and friends.

Margaret Gookin was born in Noble county, Ohio, Nov. 21, 1834, and died Jan. 3, 1912, aged 77 years, 1 month and 13 days. She came to Iowa with her parents at the age of sixteen years and was married to John Russell on Oct. 11, 1856. To this union three chidren were born, Cornelia C., Alexander S., who died in infancy, and Albert E., of St. Joseph, Mo. She united with the M.E. church at sixteen years of age and was a faithful member until death claimed her. She leaves to mourn her loss a daughter and son, three grandchildren, and one great-grandchild, one sister, three brothers and a host of friends. Chariton Herald Patriot, Jan. 11, 1912.

The next stone on the Gookin-Russell lot marks the graves of two infants who died on the same day in 1863, one a son of John and Margaret (Gookin) Russell and the other, a daughter of Samuel and Lydia (Russell) Gookin.

ALEXANDER S.

Son of

J. & M.

RUSSELL

Died

Mar. 12, 1863

Aged 5M

18D

MARTHA

Dau of

S. & L.A.

GOOKIN

Died

Mar 12, 1863

Aged 2Yr

2M, 5D

The final tombstone on the Samuel Gookin-Russell lot, at its south end, marks three graves, those of Samuel and Lydia A. (Russell) Gookin (inscriptions on west face) and their infant daughter, Alma (on the north face).

ALMA

Dau. of

S. & L.A.

GOOKIN

Nov. 9, 1863

June 16, 1864

SAMUEL GOOKIN

Mar. 8, 1833

Jan. 20, 1909

DEATH OF SAMUEL GOOKIN

Chariton Herald, Jan. 21 and 28, 1909

Samuel Gookin, one of Lucas county's oldest and most respected citizens, died at his home in Russell yesterday morning at 8 o'clock, at the age of about 76 years, after an extended illness with stomach trouble. Funeral services, conducted by Rev. D. J. Shenton, of the M.E. church at Russell, were held at Salem church this (Jan. 21) afternoon at two o'clock, and interment took place in the Salem cemetery. Deceased is survived by nine children, Andrew Gookin and Mrs. Paris Holmes, of Riverside, California; John, Mrs. Delman Threlkeld and Mrs. Luther Keller, of this city (Chariton); Lawrence of Nebraska City, Neb.; Mrs. G.C. Holmes, of Dunbar, Neb.,; Mrs. Chas. White and Miss Ella Gookin, of Benton township. One son, Craig, died a few years ago. Three brothers, Thomas, of this city, and Clark and Phil, of Benton township, also are living.

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The deceased had made his home for a number of years in Russell and was highly respected by all who knew him.

Samuel Gookin was born in Noble county, Ohio, on March 8, 1833, and passed away after a brief illness at his home in Russell on January 20, 1909, at the age of 75 years, 10 monghs and 25 days. He with his parents emigrated to Lucas county, Iowa, in 1853, remaining there 18 months and then moving to a farm in Lucas county where he spent the remainder of his life until a few years ago when he moved to Russell. He was united in marriage to Lydia A. Russell on January 16, 1858. To this union were born twelve children, two of whom died in infancy. His wife preceeded him to the better land on March 26, 1900, and his eldest son, Craig, on December 6, 1902. Those living are Mrs. Melissa Holmes and Andy Gookin, of Riverside, Calif., Mrs. Dora Holmes and Lawrence Gookin, of Dunbar, Neb., Mrs. Jessie Keller, Mrs. Mary White, Mrs. Maggie Threlkeld, Ella and Jno. Gookin, all of Chariton, Iowa. He leaves, besides his children, to mourn his loss three brothers and two sisters. They are Thomas, Clark and Phil, all of this county, Mrs. Jane Blue and Mrs. Maggie Russell, of Russell, Ia., Mrs. Blue being with him during his sickness and at the time of his death. He was a kind and loving husband and father, a highly respected citizen, and beloved by all who knew him in business and social circles.

LYDIA A. His Wife

Jan. 2, 1842

Mar. 26, 1900

MRS. SAMUEL GOOKIN

The Chariton Democrat, April 6, 1900

Mrs. Samuel Gookin died at her home in Benton township on Monday, March 26, 1900, after an extended illness with dropsy and heart trouble. Funeral services conducted by Rev. Robinson of Russell were held at Salem church on Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock, after which the remains were laid to rest in the Salem cemetery.

Miss Lydia A. Russell was born in Noble county, Ohio, on January 2, 1842. She came to Lucas county in 1856, and was married in 1858 to Samuel Gookin. They were the parents of twelve children, ten of whom are living, six boys and four girls. They have resided in Lucas county since their marriage and have always been held in high esteem by all with whom they have become acquainted. When quite young Mrs. Gookin was converted and united with the M.E. church and has since lived a faithful christian life. She was a noble, true hearted woman and her death has caused extreme sorrow in the neighborhood where she resided.

She was of a pleasant disposition and by her quiet and sincere demeanor won friends of all with whom she came in contact. Her entire life was devoted to her home and the bereaved ones will feel keenly the loss. To the afflicted ones the community extends condolences.