Richard Gorton Hoskins (1933)

BILLETT, GORTON, HILL, HOSKINS, RICHARDSON, STRIBLING

Posted By: Treva Patterson
Date: 2/2/2007 at 10:01:15

The Earlham Echo
Earlham, Iowa
Thursday, April 20, 1933

Obituary - Richard Gorton Hoskins

Richard Gorton Hoskins, only son of Milton and Zilpha Gorton Hoskins, was born at Pleasant Plain, Washington County, Iowa, on February 5, 1875. When a young boy of seven he moved with his parents and young sisters, Martha and Mary, to Waukee, Dallas County, Iowa; there he lived for the following twenty-eight years growing to stalwart manhood. During this period on June 23, 1897, he married Minnie Elfletta Stribling and of their union there were born here three daughters, Helen, Lois and Lucile. In 1911, the family moved to Earlham, where another daughter, Esther was born. Ten years ago, tragedy came to the family in the form of the passing on of the beloved wife and mother. On June 6, 1928, Mr. Hoskins was married to Joy Richardson, with whome he lived happily at Earlham until he departed this life on April 12, 1933, aged 58 years.

Mr. Hoskins had been in failing health for the last three months. He struggled hard to regain his health and to the last showed the patience, kindliness and appreciation for everything done for him, so characteristic of him throughout his life.

Mr. Hoskins was a birthright member of the Friends Church and has remained loyal and active in that faith, the beautiful simplicity of which was exemplified by him at all times. He was much admired by all who knew him, and was known especially for his sturdy strength of character. He maintained a keen interest in the affairs of his community and served ably in different public offices.

Surviving Mr. Hoskins are his wife, his daughters: Mrs. George Billett, Lois, Lucille and Esther, a tiny granddaughter, and a niece, Mary Hill. Those who knew him most intimately loved him dearly. To them his place can never be refilled. But in their keen feeling of loss they can be consoled by the memory of the splendid life he lived. That memory cannot pass.
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Earlham Echo
Earlham, Iowa
Thursday, April 13, 1933

MR. R. G. HOSKINS DIED WEDNESDAY

Death Comes After More Than Year’s Illness With Heart Disease. Had Long Been Prominent in Civic Life Here. Funeral Services Will Be Held Friday Afternoon at the Friends Church.

Mr. R. G. Hoskins, who for more than two decades had been active in the civic life of Earlham, died at 3:00 a.m. Wednesday at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. He had been removed to Des Moines a week ago and had suffered with severe heart attacks for more than a year. These attacks had confined him to his home here for several months, where he was under the care of specialists.

The body was taken to Harbach’s Funeral Home in Des Moines. Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2:30 from the Earlham Friends Church. Interment will be here.

Mr. Hoskins at various times dealt in livestock here and operated farms in this vicinity. He was a director of the Citizens State Bank. He served one or two terms as mayor of Earlham and was always intensely interested in civic affairs. He was Republican Committeeman from this precinct and represented his party in state meetings on a number of occasions.

In March, 1923, Mr. Hoskins’ wife, brother-in-law and sister Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hill were killed in the 50-foot drop of an elevator at the Randolph Hotel in Des Moines. Misses Mary Hill, Helen, Lois, Lucile and Esther Hoskins were also in the elevator and never entirely recovered from the injuries received. Mr. Hoskins was not in the elevator when it plunged nine stories but was one of the first to reach the scene. His heroism and superhuman strength in lifting the bodies from the battered elevator cage in the hotel basement are still well remembered. Damage suits against the Randolph Hotel Company and Otis Elevator Company were successful but never replaced the lives that were lost.

Five years ago Mr. Hoskins was united in marriage to Miss Joy Richardson, the nurse who attended his children. For the past two years he has been connected with a coal and land company in Des Moines. Mr. Hoskins is survived by his wife and four daughters, Mrs. George Billett, of Elmhurst, Ill., Lois and Lucille, of Whittier, Calif., and Esther, of Earlham.

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