William Royal Oake (1844-1914)

OAKE, BARRICK, ELLIS, KEELEY, BENJAMIN, RICHARDSON, STRONG, HOUSTON, SWIHART

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 7/1/2011 at 09:45:29

Maquoketa Excelsior-Record, April 16, 1914

TAPS SOUNDED FOR WILLIAM ROYAL OAKE
Prominent Sabula Resident and Civil War Veteran Answers the Final Summons

William Royal Oake of Sabula, Iowa, a Civil War veteran and a well known citizen of Jackson County, died at his home April 9, 1914. His end came suddenly, but peacefully. He rose that morning feeling as well as usual, and after breakfast sat down to enjoy his pipe for a moment. His wife noticed after a while that his head had dropped forward and going up to him, failed to arouse him. She then called in some of the neighbors and they bore him to a couch, and while Mr. Oake breathed naturally, he quietly slipped away, entering that great sleep which knows no harsh awakening.

William Royal Oake was the only surviving member of a family of eight children. He was born in Cambridgeshire, England, on February 26, 1844, and was therefore at the time of his death, a little over seventy years old. When but a child of eight years he emigrated with his parents to this country and settled at Sabula in 1844. At the age of eighteen years he enlisted in Company A, 26th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. S. R. Williams and Col. Milo Smith, of Clinton.

He took part in some of the greatest battles between the North and the South, and was one of the bravest soldiers that fought under the old flag, participating in such battles as Vicksburg, Arkansas Post, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. On April 9, 1863, while on a scouting expedition, he and nine of his comrades were captured, and for six months was confined at Libby Prison. When released from Libby Prison on an exchange for other men, he rejoined his regiment and served to the close of the war, being honorably discharged at Washington, D. C., June 6, 1865, with a creditable record.

In 1878 he moved to Kansas with his family, where he remained until 1881, when he returned to Sabula where he has continuously resided. In 1890 he was made postmaster and served four years. He was identified with the business and industrial life of Sabula for many years. In 1894 he took up the insurance business, which he continued to the time of his death. In his political views he was a Republican, but neither narrow or bigoted in his views he supported the best man for the office and did not forget a friend even if he was on the other side.

Mr. Oake held many positions of trust in his hometown, having served the community as councilman and Mayor, and was at the time of his death town assessor, which position he held for 12 years. He was a member of the Modern Woodmen and Woodmen of the World. He was also a willing and active worker in the Grand Army of the Republic, of which he was a member.

On July 15, 1866, Mr. Oake was married to Miss Mary A. Barrick, also a native of England, who has been his faithful and devoted companion for life. To them were born five children, three of whom survive, namely, William Oake, a physician residing at Elburn, Illinois, George W. Oake, a buthcher of Seattle, Washington, and Frank Royal Oake, a cattle buyer of Delmar, Iowa. It was in his family relation where Mr. Oake reflected the best qualities of his character. The rules which governed his conduct and shaped his life, are those which command regard in every land and clime, and he leaves a host of friends who are not only willing, but eager to testify to his strength of character and his sterling worth.

Those from Maquoketa who attended the funeral were J. W. Ellis, Frank Keeley, Harvey Benjamin and A. W. Richardson, who also acted as pall bearers. Levi Strong and Thomas Houston of this city and David Swihart of Sabula are among the few survivors of Company A, 26th Iowa Volunteer Infantry.

William Royal Oake grave
 

Jackson Obituaries maintained by Nettie Mae Lucas.
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