Boomer, George Oscar, 1860-1905

BOOMER

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/14/2014 at 23:33:30

Friends of Oscar Boomer were painfully shocked to hear the news of his sudden death Saturday evening [December 9], at the Lyons house, Rock Rapids. Oscar, at the solicitation of his friends, had planned to spend the winter in California and was only waiting till his health would permit him to start on the journey. While in conversation with two traveling men sitting in the office of the hotel, he sank down in his chair and expired of heart failure.

Having spent the larger portion of his life here and his parents and two sisters having been buried in Hope Cemetery, it was but natural that he should be laid to rest beside them in death. The funeral services at Rock Rapids were conducted under the auspices of the Knights of Pythias lodge. The remains were brought here and services were conducted in the Methodist Episcopal church Tuesday afternoon, by Rev. W. H. Lease, assisted by the Rev. J. W. Mahood, former pastor of the church.

The funeral was largely attended. The deceased's brothers, Walter, Abner, Will and Ed, and sisters, Mrs. Edmonds and Mrs. Rowe, with their families were all present. The pall bearers were George Spence, E. H. Reiman, John Cornforth, Fred Hall, R. T. Fobes and George Vickers, all old-time friends. The deceased was an honorable, upright man in all his ways. He was steady, industrious and successful in business. The Bee joins in extending sympathy to the bereaved ones.

Source: Rock Valley Bee, December 15, 1905: Hull Happenings.

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Sunday morning the friends of the Boomer family received the sad message that Mr. G. O. Boomer had passed from life. Oscar was for many years a resident of Hull--eight years of which he was in the furniture business with his brother William--but for the last four years he has been in the same business at Rock Rapids--at which place he died. We regret that we can give no particulars of his illness and death; but the Index family sincerely extend their sympathy to the bereaved brothers and sisters--six of whom, William, Edward, Ab and Al and Mrs. Rowe and Mrs. Edmonds were present at the funeral last Tuesday.

Source: Hull Index, December 15, 1905.

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George Oscar Boomer.

From the Rock Rapids papers we glean the following in regard to the death of Oscar Boomer:

"Oscar Boomer, one of the well known business men of Rock Rapids died very suddenly Saturday evening at the Hotel Lyon, where he has made his home for the past year. In company with a number of gentlemen Mr. Boomer was sitting in the lobby of the hotel and conversing on topics of general interest. He had just expressed himself on some matter under discussion, when one of the party noticed his head fall back, and calling attention to the fact, stepped to his side and at once told the others present that life had passed out.

Those present were loath to believe that this was the case and landlord Fisher hastened to secure and apply restoratives, while a telephone message was sent for a physician. In the meantime Mr. Boomer was removed from the chair and placed in a comfortable position, and when Dr. Co?am [blurred] arrived he pronounced him beyond help. He had not uttered a sound after speaking to the persons with whom he was conversing, and there was no indication of the approaching end. Mr. Boomer had been in poor health for several weeks past, but on Saturday had expressed himself feeling much better and had eaten a hearty supper. He was about town during the afternoon and evening. His death occurred at 9:30 and as soon as possible the body was conveyed to the home of his brother, W. M. Boomer.

George Oscar Boomer was born December 3rd, 1860, at Hawksville, Waterloo county, Ontario, Canada. In 1881 he came with his parents to Sioux county, settling on a farm north of Hull, and in 1894[?] he engaged in the furniture business with his brother, William. They remained there until 1903 when they sold out and purchased the furniture store from A. R. Bell.

He is survived by four brothers and three sisters. Mr. Boomer, although having been a resident of our city but two years was universally liked by our citizens. He was quiet, unassuming, and a splendid business [remainder of article is blurred out]

Source: Hull Index, December 22, 1905.

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The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Boomer, George O., b. 8 Dec. 1860, d. 9 Dec. 1905, Hope Cem Hull IA.