Franklin Douglas Doolittle (1857-1938)

DOOLITTLE, CARLTON, BROWN

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 9/5/2024 at 13:03:19

From Story City Herald March 24, 1928 (page 1)

"DOUG" DOOLITTLE BURIED TUESDAY

He Was First White Child Born in Lafayette Township--Death Came to Him Saturday Morning While He Slept

F. D. "Doug" Doolittle died at an early hour last Saturday morning. He was found dead in bed, death having come to him while he slept, apparently around 4 o'clock.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon in the Grace church with Rev. Bergeman officiating. The honorary pallbearers were George Baldus, Halvor Knutson, Lars Monson, K. F. Johnson, Oscar Askelson and Lew Carr. The active pallbearers were six nephews of the deceased.

A quartet consisting of the Misses Marilyn and Elaine James and Messrs. George Sowers and Arnold Anderson, sang "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," "Somewhere," and "The Old Rugged Cross.'

Interment was made in the family lot in Sheffield cemetery.

Obituary

Rev. Bergemand read the following obituary at the funeral:

Franklin Douglas Doolittle, the son of William R. and Electa F. Doolittle, was born October 25, 1857, in a log cabin on the Doolittle homestead, 2 1/2 miles south of Story City. He was the first white child born in Lafayette township. He passed away at his home 3 1/2 miles south of Story City on March 19, 1938, at the age of 80 years, 4 months and 24 days.

He is survived by his son, Franklin E. Doolittle, 3 grandchildren, Duane, Nayda and Darrel Doolittle. Of a family of ten children, four have preceded him in death. Three sisters, Lillian Carlton, Rolfe, Ia., Electa Brown and Miss Emma Doolittle of Story City, two brothers, R. L. of Webster City and William J. of Story City survive him, besides many other relatives and friends.

The home that he left was a very dear spot to him as he had transformed it from a prairie to the farm home which it now is, by planting every tree and making all the improvements on it himself.