BOOKER, Harry F. 1856-1899

BOOKER, BLAIR, SMITH

Posted By: Richard K Thompson (email)
Date: 12/25/2009 at 09:34:50

Fairfield Ledger
May 31, 1899

HARRY BOOKER HAS PASSED AWAY.

Harry F. BOOKER, a prominent citizen and business man of Fairfield, died in Chicago Sunday morning about 11:25. He had gone to the Homoeopathic hospital, that city, less than a week before to submit to an operation for appendicitis. The operation was performed Wednesday, and, while it revealed a great degree of inflammation in the appendix and surrounding tissue, the surgeons did not apprehend that serious consequences would follow. Saturday, however, an alarming dilation of the stomach was produced by an obstruction of the intestines, and it was found necessary to re-open the wound. Mr. BOOKER died while on the operating table. It was said that he was fully conscious of his condition, and that he submitted bravely to the trying ordeal.

Mr. BOOKER was born at St. Clairsville, O., September 18th, 1856, and was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel F. BOOKER of this city. With his parents he came to Jefferson county in 1865, and his boyhood days were spent on a farm east of Fairfield. After several years experience in business affairs in the old mining town of Perlee and in this city, he entered the employ of J. S. Richardson, the clothier, in 1880. Three years later he purchased an interest in the business, and in 1890 became its sole proprietor. Mr. Booker was a singularly successful business man. He was energetic, pushing, enterprising, and there was method in all his labors. Not only did his own affairs prosper under his management, but he was quick to see advantages in public affairs and ready to repond to any demands made upon him to advance the interest of city and community. He was one of the younger business men of Fairfield who had always borne his full share of public burdens, and to whom in great measure is due the present prosperity of the community.

Mr. BOOKER was married to Miss Alice BLAIR June 28th, 1883. Mrs. BOOKER accompanied her husband to Chicago and was there when the sad end came. The ordeal through which she has beeen passing is a terrible one, and she is almost prostrated by the anxiety of the months which have elapsed since her husband's first dangerous illness and the burden of grief which has now come upon her. The tender sympathy of the community has gone out to her and to all members of the stricken family.

There is something unusually depressing in the death of a man like this one. It extends to the entire communty, because Mr. BOOKER was a man of wide acquaintance and popularity. He had a cheery greeting, a kindly word for everyone. He was a good fellow in the best sense of the term, a man of the kindliest impulses, a staunch friend, a genial companion. While domestic in his tastes, he was fond of social affairs, and his home life was singularly pleasant. He was so much to his family, the demand for his kindly service, his counsel and his sympathy were so great at this time, there was so much of a useful life before him that his death seems a most cruel blow.

Mrs. BOOKER returned to this city Monday morning, accompanied by her sister, Mrs. E.R. SMITH, who was called to Chicago Sunday afternoon. The remains of Mr. BOOKER arrived Monday evening in charge of Mr. SMITH. Funeral services were held at the family residence on West Washington street this morning at 10 o'clock. Rev. J.F. Magill delivered the sermon, and the Congregational church choir rendered the music. Business in the city was very generally suspended during the hour of the funeral, shops, stores and offices being closed.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

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Added by Admin, July 2020 --

"The Fairfield Tribune"
Wednesday, May 31, 1899
Page 7, Column 3

Death of a Prominent Business Man.

The weight as of lead has been on the hearts of the people of Fairfield since Monday morning, when the startling news was made public that H. F. BOOKER, one of the most prominent business men of the city, had died about noon the day before while undergoing a second operation for appendicitis in Chicago. The news came as a shock which has depressed the whole community far more than any death in recent years, and the depression has been one that has clung to everybody and refused to be shaken off.

The death was perhaps not wholly unexpected, for when a human being subjects himself to a surgical operation, the public has learned to at least feel much apprehension. But Mr. BOOKER was in the prime of life. If he was weakened by disease the public at least did not so understand it. and hence the startling announcement that this personage that we had known so well, that had been so familiar on our streets, was no more to be among us, could not be accepted with the same composure with which most deaths are received.

It is known now that for two years the deceased had been a sufferer from some form of physical ailment. A year ago his condition became more serious and began to cause concern to his immediate relatives, but it has only been for a few months that real apprehension had been felt even by those who knew him best, and none of this was suspected by the greater number of his acquaintances. Continuing more recently to decline, a week ago last Monday he went to Chicago, accompanied by his wife. Wednesday he underwent a surgical operation at the Chicago Homoepathic hospital, from the immediate effect of which he rallied. But a day or so later the symptoms were not so good, and Sunday it became necessary to perform a second operation at once. He died while under this operation, about noon Sunday, though the first word that the relatives had of it here was when his sister-in-law, Miss Minnie BLAIR, arrived during the night from Omaha, bearing the sad intelligence.

Mrs. BOOKER, the wife, prostrated by the terrible shock, arrived Monday morning, and that evening the remains were brought by Mr. Russell SMITH.

Harry Frank BOOKER was the son of Samuel F. and Narcissa BOOKER and was born in St. Clairsville, Ohio, Sept. 18, 1856. His parents moved to this county in 1865, locating on a far, about five miles east of Fairfield, where he continued to reside until grown. He then became a clerk in C. C. Risk's store, in this city, and afterwards clerked for several years in a store at Perlee, after which he again returned to Fairfield and took a position in the late J. S. Richardson's Cloth-store on the east side of the square. Finding his relationship with Mr. Richardson congenial, he purchased a third interest in the business. Later he became a half partner and finally, in 1890, bought out Mr. Richardson and became the sole owner. He was a born business man and under his management the business grew until a number of years ago he moved into the larger room, on the north side, which the well-known BOOKER clothing store has occupied ever since. No man in Fairfield has ever succeeded in building up a more prosperous business and he has had few if any equals.

Mr. BOOKER was married June 28, 1883 to Miss Alice BLAIR. One child dying in infancy, was born in 1889. He leaves a devoted wife and aged mother who had learned to lean upon him, one brother, Charles, of Cleveland O., Miss Sands, east of town and Clara, who lives with the mother in this city.

No man in Fairfield had more friends than Harry BOOKER. He was liked by everyone, and he was a good example of the faithful, earnest, honest man. He devoted himself to his business and gave it his constant attention. He had a loyal and devoted corps of employes about him and he had their highest confidence and respect. But it was in relation to his wife, his home, and those depending upon him, that he will be thought of most often and most tenderly by those who knew him best.

Essentially a home man he had no other pleasure, but those that sprang from his home, and he was always the gentle and thoughtful husband, the teacher and devoted son, and the strong, helpful brother. For years he has made a happy home for several of those who were near him and to-day their grief is mingled with those who had closer claims upon him.

The funeral took place this forenoon at ten o'clock, the services at the house being conducted by Rev. Dr. Magill. An unusual honor was paid by the business public, showing the esteem in which the deceased was held--every business house in the city being closed from ten to eleven o'clock. There was a very large attendance and the remains were followed by a large concourse to their last resting place in the beautiful Evergreen cemetery.

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"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, June 7, 1889
Page 2, Column 5

PROBATE OF WILL.

To all whom it may concern:

Notice is hereby given that an instrument purporting to be the last will and testament of Harry F. BOOKER, deceased, is now on file in the office of the Clerk of the District Court of Jefferson county, Iowa, and that Monday, September 18th, 1899, at 2 o'clock p.m., the first day of the September term of said court, has been set for the proof and final hearing of the same.

Witness my hand and seal of said court this 1st day of June, 1899.

[L. S.] JOHN H. MERCKENS,
Clerk District Court.
3t23

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

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Original Transcriber Note: Buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Fairfield, Iowa in the BOOKER family plot. Old.P.274. His wife, Alice, and an unnamed (no date provided) child of theirs are buried in this plot as well.