Lot No. 39 is owned by two families, the north half apparently purchased in 1901 for the burial of Craig Gookin whose grave seems to be the only one located there. The south half was sold to Frank E. and Bertha Oakes, probably upon the death of their infant son during August of 1904. There are four graves on this half of the lot, two infant sons of Frank E. and Bertha, Bertha Oakes and Vera V. Oakes, daughter of Frank E. and Bertha. Frank E. Oakes, who moved to Arkansas after his second marriage, to Bertha, ended in divorce reportedly died there in 1929.
Craig Gookin's story is one of the sadder ones at Salem. A son of Samuel and Lydia A. (Russell) Gookin (Lot. No.22) he married a neighbor girl, Alia Hobson, daughter of Milburn Hobson (Lot No. 17) on 28 February 1892 in Lucas County and they settled down to farm in Benton Township.
At the turn of the 20th century, Craig and his family were among several Russell-area families recruited by residents of Box Butte County, Nebraska, to settle there. The land in western Nebraska was substantially different than the rich and well-watered prairie they were accustomed to, and many were disappointed. Some came home to Russell to live the remainder of their lives. Craig, however, the apparent the victim of severe depression, did not survive. 
GOOKIN
DIED
DEC. 7, 1901
AGED
36Y, 3M, 17D
Dear husband thou has left us
We thy loss most deeply feel
But tis God who thus bereft us
He can all our sorrows heal
Craig Gookin, a former resident of Benton township, but who moved to Hemingsford, Nebraska, last spring, died suddenly at that place the first of the week. The remains were brought here Wednesday noon and brief funeral services were held at the home of his father-in-law, Milburn Hobson, after which interment took place in the Salem cemetery. (Chariton Democrat, 12 December 1901)
Craig Gookin Caused His Own Death by Shooting
The remains of Craig Gookin of Hemingford, Neb., were brought to Chariton on No. 6 yesterday and taken to the Salem church in Benton township, where services were held, conducted by Rev. J. L. Johnson of Russell, and the remains were interred in the Salem cemetery. Deceased was a son of Samuel Gookin of Benton township, and formerly resided here, where he was highly respected by acquaintances. For several years (sic) he has resided in Nebraska. Relatives here received a telegram last Sunday announcing his death.
It was a severe shock to them, for in a letter from his family only a few days previous, they stated that they were all well. When his wife, formerly Miss Alia Hobson, and her brother, Charles Hobson, arrived with the remains, they said he had committed suicide by shooting himself, but they did not know the cause. (Chariton Patriot, 12 December 1901)
Near Hemingsford, Dec. 7, 1901
Mr. Gookin was born near Chariton, Lucas County, Iowa, in 1865. He was the second oldest of a family of ten children, nine of whom are yet living. His mother preceded him to the other world two years ago. The deceased was a son of Samuel and Lida Ann Russell Gookin. The subject of this notice was married to Miss Alia J. Hobson, of Chariton, Iowa, Feb. 28, 1892. He leaves a devoted wife and three small children - Raymond E., Ethel M., and Murrell E., to mourn the loss of a kind husband and affectionate father. For a number of years, Mr. Gookin has led a faithful christian life. After coming to this country in February, 1901, he and his wife brought their church letters to the Congregational church of Hemingford. The deceased leaves many warm friends won by his kind and genial disposition. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Connell. The remains, accompanied by the family, left December 10, for their old home in Iowa. (Chariton Democrat, 19 December 1901, apparently reprinted from the Hemingsford, Neb., Herald)
From the Hemingsford, Neb., Herald, we take the following account of the death of Craig Gookin, formerly of this county, and whose remains were brought here on Wednesday of last week for interment:
The Herald has to record to-day as sad an ending of human life as ever occurred in Box Butte county - made doubly sad because of the pathetic attending circumstances. Rarely, if every in its history, has this county been so shocked as when the intelligence was brought to town last Sunday that Craig Gookin, a respected citizen who resided three miles northeast of Hemingsford, had been found dead about a quarter of a mile from his home with a bullet hole through his head.
Immediate friends of the deceased had noticed for several weeks that all was not right with Mr. Gookin. He came here only last spring, from near Russell, Iowa, and was apparently prospering, having arranged things about his place comfortably for the winter. His stock was in good condition and he had provided abundant feed to carry them through nicely until spring, and he had seemingly made the best of what he freely confessed he thought was a bad bargain. He had often expressed his disappointment in the country, regretting that he had ever left Iowa.
He was an extremely sensitive man, and frequently, when talking with his wife who shared with him his disappointment, he would express the fear that if they would sell out and return to Iowa their friends and acquaintances would ridicule them. He seemed to have morbid fear of public opinion in this respect. Twice, in the presence of his wife, he had threatened to take his own life, but while she realized that her husband was not himself, she thought he was only jesting when he hinted at suicide.
Last Saturday morning, with his gun in hand, a small Winchester rifle, he left the house, after first speaking casually of the children. As hour after hour passed and he did not return, his wife grew alarmed and caused a search to be initiated. Sunday morning about 9 o'clock a neighbor found the unfortunate man lying stretched out, face downward, stark and cold in death, a quarter of a mile from is home. His gun lay under him, his mittens had not been removed, nor his cap. Everything indicated that he had rested his gun, stock downward, upon the ground, leaned over till the side of his head, at a point just in front of the right ear, came in contact with the muzzle of the rifle, and reaching down with his right hand pressed the trigger with his right thumb, and the fatal leaden missile sped unerringly to the mark intended. Death was instantaneous.
The deceased was not over 35 years of age, a quiet mannered man and a good citizen. He was an affectionate husband and an indulgent father, according to those who knew him. His wife stated that he had never spoken a cross word to her during their married life. Their domestic relations were of the most pleasant nature.
Evidently the unfortunate man was temporarily insane. A coroner's jury composed of Frank Shimek, Perry S. Malley, Geo Darling, W. J. Bean, Ed Wildy and Elmer Roland, under the supervision of Captain E. P. Sappey, acting coroner, viewed the remains and rendered a verdict of suicide. Undertaker Geo. Darling embalmed the body and all that was mortal of poor Craig Gookin was stared on its journey to its last resting place in Iowa on Tuesday afternoon's east bound passenger, accompanied by the grief stricken widow and orphaned little ones.
The tragic death of the husband and father has forestalled all ridicule, and only grief and sorrow will be depicted in the faces of those who will be at the depot in the old home town to welcome the coming of the living and the dead. (The Chariton Democrat, 19 December 1901)
The south half of Lot No. 39 most likely was acquired by Frank E. and Bertha (Howsare) Oakes when an infant son died during August of 1904. Frank and Bertha had been married on 30 January 1897 in Wayne county. She was about 16 at the time and he was in his 30s, having been previously married in Kansas. They settled in Chariton where he worked as a plasterer and brick and stone mason. The couple had four children, daughters Nellie M. and Vera V., and two sons who died as infants and are buried here. At some point after 1920, Frank and Bertha divorced and he removed to Arkansas, where he reportedly died at Collins in Drew County on 13 June 1929. When the 1930 census was taken, Bertha was living in Chariton and working as a laundress.
OAKES
1904
The Chariton Herald reported in its edition of 18 August 1904 that "The infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Oakes died Saturday afternoon, Aug. 12. Brief funeral services were conducted at the home on Sunday morning by Rev. B.F. Miller, and the body was interred in the Salem cemetery." This death was not officially recorded.
OAKES
1911
Lucas County death records show that this unnamed child was born 26 May 1911 and died 11 June 1911, age 16 days, of an obstruction of the bile duct. The Chariton Patriot of 15 June 1911 reported, "Mr. and Mrs. Oakes, of Chariton, buried their little child in the Salem cemetery Monday morning." And The Chariton Patriot, also of 15 June, carried the following report: "Infant Son Dies: The infant son of Mr. and Mrs. F.E. Oakes died last Sunday, from stomach trouble, and was buried at Salem cemetery on Monday, Rev. Hob(illegible) officiating. The little fellow was only two weeks and two days old. The parents have the sympathy of many friends in their loss."
BERTHA
1881-1950
VERA V.
1908-1979
OBITUARY BERTHA HOWSARE OAKES
Bertha Howsare Oakes was born January 1, 1881, in Warren county. Following her marriage in 1897 at Corydon, she and Mr. Oakes came to Lucas county, and to Chariton in 1895 (sic) where she has since resided.
To this union four children were born, Mrs. Nellie Mae Peterson of Chariton, and Vera Oakes of Des Moines. Two sons died in infancy.
In failing health for the past 12 years she was only confined to her bed for five weeks prior to death, Sept. 17, 1950. She was tenderly cared for by her daughters during her illness.
Survivors in addition to the daughters are two grandchldren, Donald Peterson and Mrs. Floyd Burley, two great granddaughters, Sandra Lee and Margaret Jo Burley; two sisters, Nora Cottrell, of Chariton; Della Lyman, of Davenport; one brother, Mella Howsare, of Chairton, and one aunt, Cora Cart, of Lansing, Minn., and a host of friends.
Beyond the gates of silence pass;
Love does not die, and our hungry lips
Wait poised for their kiss, but alas, alas,
Clods and the sod hide the dear loved form
All we can do is but hide our tears,
So those who love need not suffer for us.
How we would love to bury our lips
In the soft mass of that waving hair,
And rest in those arms that are folded in sleep
Just for one moment oh, God, teach us prayer
God give us faith that our hearts may find
Comfort, and hope that beyond the gate
Of silence we'll meet our loved again
God give us faith and grace to wait.
Funeral services in charge of the Rev. Frank R. Carlson of the First Lutheran Church and Rev. R.W. Swick of the Methodist church, were held Tuesday, Sept. 19, at 2 p.m. at the Miley funeral home. Burial was made in the Salem cemetery. (Chariton Herald Patriot)
Vera Velma Oakes, daughter of Mrs. Bertha Howsare Oakes, was born April 13, 1908, in Chariton and passed away Wednesday, Jan. 17, 1979, at the Chariton Manor at the age of 70 years, 9 months and 4 days.
Miss Oakes spent several years of her life working as a waitress in restaurants. In later years she worked as a nurse's aide caring for the sick and elderly in nursing homes in the area.
She is survived by one sister, Nellie Martz, of Iowa City; one nephew, Donald Peterson, of Iowa City, and one niece, Mrs. Alberta Burley, of Ottumwa and several cousins and other relatives and friends. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at the Fielding Funeral home with the Rev. Eugene Koth conducting. Burial was in the Salem Cemetery. (undated clipping, Lucas County Genealogical Society collection)
1 comment:
Thank you so much for posting this information! Craig Gookin was my great-great-great grandfather. I am so grateful to read personal details about a man who seemed to be loved by those around him. The time you spent on the post is so appreciated! Thanks! If you have any additional information about the Gookin family, I'd appreciated it! My email is oliwallace@gmail.com
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