Doolittle, Horatio 1844-1919

DOOLITTLE, RAND, WEST, WELLINGTON, PEABODY

Posted By: Geo Clinton (email)
Date: 4/18/2016 at 15:33:07

Storm Lake Pilot Tribune - March 14, 1919 - Hosts of friends in this city were greatly shocked when it became known that H Doolittle, Civil war veteran, had died at the home of his daughter, Mrs Charles West at Presho, SD on March 9. Close friends knew that he was in poor health but they believed that this rugged old soldier would survive for some time to come. For years he has been a sufferer from asthma against which he has indeed fought a good fight but his death came to him last Sunday.

Horatio Doolittle, son of Reuben and Caroline Doolittle, was born October 29, 1844, near Cleveland, Ohio. When he was about fourteen years of age, he moved with his parents to Mokeena, IL., from which place he enlisted in the 100th Illinois infantry in 1862 and from which he was discharged the following year on account of physical disability.

On February 25, 1868, he was united in marriage to Olive E. Rand at Mokeena. The following spring they moved to a farm near Kentland, Ind. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle, two sons and two daughters: Clarence Herbert, who died at the age of eleven years; Mrs. Charles West of Presho, S.D., at whose home he died; Mrs. F. Wellington of Worthington, Minn., and Walter Doolittle of Sibley, Iowa.

The family continued to make their home in Indiana until their removal to this city in 1906, which has since been their home and where Mrs. Doolittle passed away on Christmas morning. Besides those named above, Mr. Doolittle leaves one sister, Mrs. E. Peabody of Coppersville, Mich.; eight grandchildren, Helen and Hilda Doolittle, Harry and George West, Donald, Robert, Carl and Horatio Wellington. He also leaves four great-grandchildren.

During most of his life, Mr. Doolittle was engaged in farming although he had been an excellent carpenter and builder. He was of a constructive turn of mind and devoted to the great game of chess, which more than any other appeals to men of his temperament. He was a God fearing, honest and upright man commanded the utmost confidence and esteem of all who knew him. During his years of residence in this city, he was active in the Grand Army post of which he was a member, and in the Presbyterian church, with which he had long been affiliated. In his quiet and unassuming manner, he was a charming companion, and he was widely read, entirely charitable, keen of intellect and peculiarly clean of speech.

The body was brought to this city on Monday morning and funeral services were held at the Lakeside church on Wednesday afternoon, conducted by the Rev. T.A. Ambler, D.D., of Odebolt, under whose ministrations the deceased sat for years in this city. All of the children and many other relatives were present for the obsequies. Interment was made in Lake View Park cemetery.