SKETOE, Joseph

SKETOE, SHORT, WEST, DAVIDSON, HOLSINGER, SAGE, BROWN, BOYSELL, GARDNER

Posted By: Administrator
Date: 2/6/2006 at 11:49:59

The Fairfield Tribune, Wed., May 6, 1891, Page 4, col. 3.

DEATH OF JOSEPH SKETOE. Another of the old residents of Des Moines township recently passed away. Joseph SKETOE, whose death occurred at his home in that township on Monday, April 20, was aged 71 years, one month, and ten days, and had been a resident there since 1843. He was one of the substantial men of that part of the county and held in high estimation by everybody. Mr. SKETOE was born in Kentucky, March 10, 1820. When a child he was given to Samuel Short to raise. In 1830 he moved with Mr. SHORT to Illinois, where he remained on a farm until 1840, when he came Iowa, stopping at Augusta, in Des Moines County, and soon after went to work at a saw mill in Lowell, Henry County. The fall of ’40 found him again in Illinois, and the spring of 1841 in Kentucky. After staying there for a year he came back to Mr. SHORT’s in Sangamon County, Ill. The next spring, 1843, in company with Jesse B. WEST and Daniel DAVIDSON, Mr. SKETOE came again to Iowa, when he settled in Des Moines Township and engaged in farming, and there he lived until his death.

Mr. SKETOE was married April 6, 1846, to Sarah HOLSINGER, of Liberty Township. To them were born twelve children – eight daughters and four sons. Of these, two sons and two daughters died in infancy. One son and one daughter died after reaching maturity. The other son, John J., is a school teacher now living in Polk County. Mrs. Luella SAGE also lives in Polk County; Mrs. Jane BROWN in Ottumwa; and Mrs. Sarah BOYSELL in Wapello County, near Batavia. Mrs. SKETOE died about ten years ago. Some five or six years ago Mr. S. was married a second time, to Mrs. Hannah GARDNER. After the death of his first wife, Mr. SKETOE quit farming, and since then has been station agent, merchant, and postmaster at County Line. For the past two years his health has been very poorly. He was a good man and his death is mourned by many friends.