DOCKEN, Gabriel Theodore 1875-1950

DOCKEN, ASLESDATTER, THIDEMANDSON, THOMPSON

Posted By: Deidre Badker (email)
Date: 10/2/2012 at 17:21:02

#1:

Gabriel Theodore Docken was born May 13, 1875, at the Shady Nook Farm in Cedar township, Mitchell County, Iowa, to Gunhild Aslesdatter and Thidemand Thidemandsen Docken, the seventh of their eleven children. Gabriel took over the responsibilities of the "Shady Nook" farm north of Meroa, Iowa at an early age and lived there his entire life.

A new frame house was built on the site in 1895. The log house was moved nearer the creek and served as a granary. In the year 2000, it was restored and kept as a sample of pioneer life and can be toured at it's new setting in Meroa, Iowa, directly across the road from the Rock Creek Lutheran Church and next to the restored Walnut Grove #7 rural school house.

In the early 1900s, a new barn was built. During the winter months, Gabriel helped the neighbors by doing their butchering of farm animals. He was also custodian of the Rock Creek Lutheran Church for about 18 years. Gabe was a self-educated musician. His violin was heard at the husking bees and squares the young folks of the neighborhood enjoyed. He never married, nor had children.

Gabriel Theodore Docken died July 23, 1950 at Meroa, Cedar, Mitchell, Iowa and was buried at the Rock Creek Lutheran Cemetery, Meroa, Cedar, Mitchell, Iowa.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#2:

Obituary from the Waterloo Courier - July 1950:

Gabriel Docken, 75, bachelor farmer southwest of Osage, Iowa, died in his sleep during the night Sunday. He was found Monday morning by his sister. Funeral rites pending.

He was born May 13, 1875, to Tidemand and Gunhild Docken, Mitchell County pioneers on the homestead where he lived his entire life.

He leaves three sisters: Mrs Sever Maakestad, Mrs. Olava Pedersen and Miss Thea Docken, all of Osage; two brothers: Ole of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Elvin, Osage, Iowa.

Preceding him in death were five sisters: Mrs. Guri Shoger, Mrs. Carrie Brager, Mrs. Nettie Iverson, Miss Ida and Miss Christine Docken.

Found in the 1880 to 1940 censuses living at Cedar, Mitchell, Iowa:

1880: Tiedemas Tiedemanson, 60, Julia Tiedemanson, 36, Ole Tiedemanson, 19, Martha Tiedemanson, 13, Antonetta Tiedemanson, 11, Oleva Tiedemanson, 8, Gabriel Tiedemanson, 5, Ingwer Tiedemanson, 2.

1885: Tediman Thompson, 64, Julia Thompson, 45, Mattie Thompson, 18, Nettie Thompson, 15, Olias Thompson, 12, Theodore Thompson, 8, Mary Thompson, 7, Teach Thompson, 1.

1900: Gunhild Docken, 60, Gabriel I. Docken, 25, Olava Docken, 28, Chrestine G. Docken, 19, Thea Docken, 16, Elvin J. Docken, 13.

1910: Granvil Dokken, 70, Gabriel Dokken, 34, Christine Dokken, 29, Thea Dokken, 21[26], Alvin Dokken, 22.

1915: G. T. Docken, age 39.

1920: Gabriel T. Docken, 44, Gunile Docken, 79, Ellef J. Docken, 33, Thera J. Docken, 36.

1925: Gabril F. Docken, 49, Thea Docken, 41.

1930: Gaberil T. Docken, 54, Thea Docken, 46.

1940: Gabriel T. Docken, 64, Thea Docken, 57.

(Censuses transcribed as found without fixing spelling errors.)