Nelson Frederick Brooker (1927)
BROOKER, ADDY, REIMAN, VAN BUREN, KIRBY, WILLIAMS
Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 2/10/2011 at 08:11:26
Winterset News
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, October 12, 1927
Page 1, Column 3NELSON BROOKER COMMITS SUICIDE
Jefferson Township Farmer Shoots Himself in The Head - Neighbors Find Him Dead on Son's Grave - Father of Eleven Living Children.
Nelson Brooker, Jefferson township farmer, killed himself in the little cemetery near his home at 5:30 o'clock Saturday morning.
Brooker got up Saturday morning about five o'clock and taking a shot gun went to the cemetery where a son was buried and laid down close to the grave. He had evidently placed the muzzle of the shotgun under his ear for his head was shattered beyond recognition.
When Mrs. Brooker got up a few minutes before five o'clock she found the kitchen fire had not been started and that the gun was gone. Suspecting that something was wrong she called Everett Hart and when Brooker could not be found he called her son-in-law, Harry Reiman. The two men went to the cemetery and found Brooker dead. Coroner Al Leach was called but after investigation decided no inquest was necessary.
The Brooker homestead is one of the finest in the county and is close to the junction of North River and North Branch. The family is large, there being eleven or twelve living children several of them very small. It is said that he had been in ill health lately and that his troubles if he had any were largely imaginary. He was 49 years old.
The funeral was held at the home Monday afternoon, Rev. McCallon of the Winterset Church of Christ, officiating.
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Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
October 13, 1927
Pg 1NELSON F. BROOKER COMMITS SUICIDE
Jefferson Township Farmer Ends Life As Result Of Desponcency
Nelson Brooker, a lifelong resident of Jefferson township, died by his own hand at an early hour last Saturday morning.
Arising at an early hour as was his usual custom, he went to the Jefferson cemetery, near the Brooker home, and shot himself with a shotgun. Death was instantaneous.
Coroner A. R. Leech, of Winterset, was summoned, but after viewing the body, decided that an inquest was unnecessary.
It is generally believed that the act was committed while under the influence of extreme despondency, to which he had been subject for some time. Sympathy is universally expressed on account of the extreme sorrow that has come to his wife and children.
Mr. Brooker, who was 49 years old, was the son of the late George Brooker, one of the early settlers of Jefferson township.
Funeral services, attended by an unusually large assemblage, were held at the home on Monday afternoon, Rev. F. C. McCallon officiating. Burial was made at the Jefferson cemetery.
The following sketch of his life was read at the service.
Nelson Frederick Brooker, son of George and Elizabeth Brooker, was born in Madison county, Iowa, on April 1st, 1878, and departed this life, October 8th, 1927, at the age of 49 years, 6 months and 7 days, his entire life being spent near the place of his birth. In the parental home his greatest joy was in waiting on his mother, his love for her being unequalled. On June the 2d, he was married to Daisy Blanche Addy. 12 children blessed this union, all being present at the time of his death, except baby Roy, who preceded him in February 1909, at the age of 15 months.
Members of his family are his wife and children, Mrs. Harry Reiman, Judson and Mrs. Arthur Van Buren, all of Madison county; Mrs. George Kirby, of Kansas City; Norwood, Wilbur, Darlene, Herbert, Bruce, Madeline and Ralph, at home. He is also survived by three brothers and one sister, Clinton, of Adel, Orvand, of Jefferson, Elmer and Mrs. Minnie Williams, of San Juan, Texas, the two latter not being able to attend. He is also survived by eight grandchildren.
He became a member of the United Brethren church during the pastorate of Rev. Raber, a number of years ago. He will be missed by his family, his friends and neighbors. In time of trouble no one could be more loyal than Nelson and no task was too hard for him to do. In his passing we will remember the many kind things he did for us.
Gravestone Photo
Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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