Charles A. Root 1877-1923

ROOT

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 12/5/2010 at 14:43:10

Chas. A. Root Dies Suddenly in Sanitarium
Word Received Sunday Morning of Sudden Death
Had Been Sick Some Time
One Time County Auditor Here and Very Prominent in Political and Social Affairs

A telegram received by Mack J. Groves Sunday afternoon brought the sad news of the death of Chas. A. Root which occurred Sunday [March 11, 1923] morning in a hospital in Chicago where he had been receiving treatment for several months. Very few Estherville people knew of his serious illness and the news of his death was a great surprise. He had been in the hospital for nearly a years but it seems little could be done for him in the way of relief. He realized his condition soon after returning from California and received treatment here from local physicians before going to Chicago. His death is mourned by many Estherville people who had known him long and well. He came to Estherville with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A.D. Root, in the spring of 1891, when but a lad of only fourteen years. He was educated and graduated in the Estherville schools and graduated from the Estherville schools in the class of ’93, composed of only four, three young ladies, Misses Margret Neville, Anna Davis, Mae Jones and himself. After graduating he was employed in the different stores as clerk for some time and later went to Fergus Falls, Minn., as assistant cashier of a bank in which many Estherville people were interested. He remained there several years and later returning to Estherville and in 1910 was elected auditor of Emmet county which office he held until June 1916 when he resigned to go on the road for an adding machine company and made his headquarters in Minneapolis. Since that time he has not been a resident of Estherville but visited here occasionally and kept in close touch with his many friends. Two years ago he went to California but remained only a short time and returned to Estherville where he spent several months before going to the sanitarium in Chicago. Mr. Root was a man of strong convictions. When he made up his mind to do a thing that’s what he would do and his word was as good as a bond. His friends were legion and admired his courage and straight forwardness of manner. His remains were brought here this morning for burial beside his father and mother and funeral services were held in the Elks’ home at 2:30 this afternoon, conducted by the members of this order. Only one member of the Root family is left to mourn his untimely death, that is Frank O. Root who came here with the remains from Chicago where he now resides. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, March 14, 1923)

Chas. A. Root, Formerly Co. Auditor Here Dies At Sanitarium

The remains of Chas. A. Root were brought this morning for burial, he having passed away in the Maple Wood sanitarium at Jacksonville, Ill., by acts of his own. The funeral services were held from the Elks home in this city this afternoon and the remains laid to rest in Oak Hill cemetery.

Chas. A. Root came to this city with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A.D. Root, from Greene, when he was a small boy. He was educated in our public schools and graduated there from in 1895. He was employed in the post office in this city for some time and had at one time been engaged in the banking business. He served this county for six years as county auditor. After retiring from the auditor’s office he went to Minneapolis and resided. He was for a time engaged in the oil business. He returned to this city and from here went to California to reside. After remaining there for a time he came back here for a few months. He became ill at mind and left here for Chicago. His brother, Frank, was very attentive to his wishes. He finally went to a sanitarium at Jacksonville for treatment and it was while here that he passed away on March eleventh. Chas. Root was a man of fine personality, well liked by all. Not aggressive but was looked upon as a young man of good judgment. He was never married but seemed to be a home like man. At the time of his death he had reached forty-five years of age. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, March 14, 1923)

Chas. Root Commits Suicide at Sanitarium
Was Former County Auditor Here and Held in High Esteem By All

The funeral services of Chas. A. Root were held this afternoon at 2:30 from the Elks Club Rooms. Mr. Root is well remembered here as a former resident and County Auditor for a number of years. He entered the Auditor’s office on January 1, 1911, and continued in service for nearly six years, he having resigned shortly before the completion of his third term. The most of his time since that date was spent in California and more recently at Maplewood, in Jacksonville, Ill., near Chicago, where his death occurred March 11th from suicide by hanging, at age of 45 years.

He was the eldest son of the late A.D. Root, who will be remembered as one of the prominent business men of Estherville and connected with the Root Lumber Company, which has now become the Harker-Beauman Lumber Co. One other son, Frank, is still living in Chicago. Charles never married but travelled the paths of life alone. It is interesting to note that he was graduated from the Estherville High School just thirty years ago, being in the class of 1893.

He was a well known resident of this community, having spent most of his lifetime here. He was much esteemed by the members of the Elks lodge as one of the most active and faithful members of that organization. His body arrived from Chicago this morning, and the Elk’s had charge of the funeral at 2:30 this afternoon. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, March 14, 1923)

Card of Thanks – We wish to thank the many kind friends of Estherville for their many acts of kindness during our late bereavement. – Mr. and Mrs. Frank O. Root (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, March 21, 1923)