Christopher, Oscar L., 1896-1926

CHRISTOPHER, CHRISTOFFER, ENGEBRETSON, BENDIGSDATTER

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:37

From the Rock Valley Bee, September 10, 1926:

OSCAR CHRISTOPHER KILLED IN AUTO ACCIDENT

The Canton News gives the following account of the fatal auto accident in which Oscar Christopher met his death. Mr. Christopher was employed by the B. L. Thornburg Co. of Rock Valley as salesman for over a year, and will be remembered here.

On Sunday evening at about 9 o’clock occurred an auto accident in the Newton Hills which cost the life of Oscar Christopher, manager of the Stanley Shoe Store of this city. Mr. Christopher received a fractured vertebrae, and died at the Sioux Falls Hospital at about 5:10 Monday evening as a result.

In company with Thomas Kolsrud and Esther Forsmoe of this city, and Nora Hassett, of Inwood, Mr. Christopher was riding in a Ford roadster. They were coming from the Smiley home in Newton Hills, and at this particular place there is a sharp turn, with a culvert or open bridge near the turn, and Kolsrud who was driving the car, failed to make the turn, going off the side of the bridge. The car overturned, wedging itself near the bottom of the ditch, bottom side up.

Kolsrud was thrown out as the car tipped, and alighted on the rock bottom of the ditch some eighteen feet below. How it happened that he was not killed instantly is a mystery to those who have inspected the scene of the accident. It is possible that all that saved any of the party is the fact that the ditch is narrow near the bottom and this kept the car from hitting the rocks below.

Christopher and the girls were caught in the top as it tipped, and although it is not definitely known, it is thought that the two bows in the top of the car which jarred loose as the car struck might have been what injured Christopher. The girls were somewhat bruised, but escaped serious injury.

A party living near the scene of the accident heard the crash, and rushed to their rescue. Drs. Wendt and Parke were called, and it took nearly one hour before they were extricated from the wreckage, and regained consciousness. Christopher asked to be taken home, which was done, but when it was discovered that he was paralyzed he was taken to Sioux Falls Monday morning, but no hope was given for his recovery.

Oscar Christopher was born on the Christopher homestead east of Canton, November 4, 1896. After finishing the rural school he attended Augustana College for three years. After finishing school he secured a position with the D. C. Bragstad Shoe Store, which position he held for three years, joining the navy during the World War. He was with the Navy seven months, during this time reaching England, Ireland and France on the U.S.S. Oklahoma.

After returning from the Navy he again entered the Bragstad Shoe Store, and after this store was sold to Kolsrud Bros. he worked for a time for them. He was employed as manager of the Stanley Shoe Store about two months. Oscar was a member of the Canton Masonic Lodge, [here the newspaper column ends, and no continuation was found]

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From the Alton Democrat, September 10, 1926, Rock Valley news:

Word was received here Monday of the death of Oscar Christoffer who was employed a year ago by the B. L. Thornburg warehouse of Rock Valley….

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The South Dakota Cemetery Index on Ancestry.com has Oscar Lourits Christopher, died 30 Aug 1926, buried in South Lutheran Cemetery, Canton, Lincoln County, South Dakota.

Three public member trees on Ancestry.com show him as Oscar Lauritz Christopher, born 4 Nov 1896 in Lincoln County, SD; died 30 Aug 1926 in Sioux Falls; father Louis Christopher; mother Louise (Lovise) Marie Engebretson or Bendigsdatter.