Stoel, Oscar Aaron (1842-1923)

STOEL, KELLY

Posted By: Linda Linn (email)
Date: 3/14/2011 at 17:27:26

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
4-17-1923

WAS A PIONEER OF AKRON

O. A. Stoel Settled Here Forty-six Years Ago

O. A. Stoel, one of the first settlers in Akron, died at his home on April 6 from hardening of the arteries. Mr. Stoel was well known to many LeMars residents. He was one of the members of the Soldiers Relief commission in this county. The Akron Register says of his death:
Oscar Aaron Stoel was born at Burlington, Wisconsin, December 2, 1842, where he spent his boyhood. When the Civil war broke out and threatened this union of states, his patriotic impulses caused him to enlist in the 12th Illinois cavalry, wherein he served his country for three years and three months and then received his honorable discharge. Forty-six years
ago, or about the year 1877, he came west and located in Akron, then called Portlandville, and has made this place his home ever since, engaging for many years In carpenter work and as a stone and brick mason. In the early 80's he was landlord of the old Plymouth Hotels selling out to C. M. Hilliker in November, 1882. Mr. Stoel was one of the charter members of James Biddlecome Post, No. 461, Grand Army of the Republic, of Akron, and was elected outside guard at its organization in the spring of 1889. He was for many years prominent in local Odd Fellow and Masonic orders, holding the office of tyler of Freedom lodge, A. F. & A. M., for about thirty years. He was also a thirty-second degree Mason, holding membership in Sioux City Consistory, No. 5, of the Scottish Rite. On the 19th of this month he would have been married thirty years, and those who survive to mourn his departure are his wife and five children—Nellie Viola, Carrie Pearl, Jay Calvin and Paul Clifford Stoel, all of Akron, and Nathan John Stoel, of Longmont, Colorado. There is one surviving sister, Mrs. Mary Kelly, of Rockford, Ill, who was present at the funeral, and one brother, Wm. Stoel, of Burlington, Wis.

Mr. Stoel was a kind husband and father and a good neighbor. A staunch exponent of liberty and Justice, and not at all backward about expressing his opinions and convictions, he made
some enemies and many firm friends. While a certain bruskness appeared to mark his personality, one friend remarked that the roughness was all on the outside. He
was as big in heart as in stature and possessed a sympathetic nature that
went out unhesitatingly and truly to those in misfortune or distress. His word was as good as his bond and those who knew him best respected him most. He will be greatly missed from the walks of life that new him so many years.

The funeral was held with military and Masonic honors and largely attended by a host of neighbors and many from surrounding towns.

Civil War Record
 

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