CROOKS, Harry Chesley 1886-1943

CROOKS, HAVIG, LITTERER, POTTER, ERICKSON

Posted By: Diane M Scott (email)
Date: 7/7/2011 at 10:24:48

Harry Chesley Crooks 1886-1943

#1
BLAST KILLS NASHUA MAN

Nashua – Harry Crooks, about 54, owner of the Crooks service station, was decapitated in the explosion of a kerosene tank here this afternoon. Crooks was attempting to thaw the faucet on the tank with a blow torch when the explosion occurred.
Mason City Globe Gazette, Wednesday January 20, 1943

#2
DECAPITATED BY EXPLOSION
HARRY CROOKS, NASHUA, IS KILLED IN ACCIDENT

Nashua – Harry Crooks, about 54, was killed here at 2:30 Wednesday afternoon in the explosion of a kerosene tank he was working on.

Crooks, operator of a service station, was attempting to thaw the faucet on the tank with a blow torch, when fumes from the tank caused the explosion. He was decapitated.

Theodore Stille, who had brought the tank into the station to be filled, and Merle Crooks, 16, son of the victim, were standing within a few feet of the tank at the time of the explosion but neither was injured.

The force of the explosion was so great, according to one of the observers, that it blew the kerosene tank high into the air and completely across the top of the station.

Crooks is survived by his wife, two sons, Merle, and Donald, of Minneapolis; and three daughters; Lucille, Orchard; Dora, Charles City; and Mrs. Laurence Litterer of Nashua.

Mason City Globe Gazette, Thursday January 21, 1943

#3
PLAN RITES FOR CROOKS

Funeral services for the late Harry Crooks will be held at the Methodist Church Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock, the Rev. James Bird officiating and internment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Nashua.

Mason City Globe Gazette, Saturday January 23, 1943

#4
WWI Draft Registration: September 12, 1918
Harry Chesley Crooks age 32, born December 20, 1886 living in Bruce, Rock Co., Wisconsin, farmer, nearest relative, wife Mae

Harry Crooks was the son of Henry Crooks and Ida (Potter) Crooks. He married Mae Olive Havig, the daughter of Ole and Bertha (Erickson) Havig of St.Ansgar.