O. J. Coolidge

COOLIDGE, VASS

Posted By: Volunteer: Roxanne Riggan
Date: 2/11/2012 at 10:38:49

O. J. Coolidge

Again the death angel came and called one of Bonaparte’s men, being the third in less than a week to answer the sad summons. W. E. Smith, J. N. McDavitt, and O. J. Coolidge were taken in less than a week and their homes in Bonaparte were not more than two blocks apart on the same street.

O. J. Coolidge was suddenly taken very ill just before the W. E. Smith funeral Saturday and grew steadily worse until the end came about six o’clock Monday morning.

He was a traveling man, and during his last trip just a few days before had been injured while boarding a freight train, the engine striking the train and moving it just as he stepped on board. The corner of his grip struck him in the abdomen and his leg was wrenched so that he limped when he walked.

Sunday he became very ill; the members of his family were notified but were unable to reach here before the end, except Mrs. Vass of Des Moines who was visiting him at the time of the death. His death was caused by intestinal obstruction which may have been a direct result of the injury sustained just a few days before.

He was a vigorous man, always in apparent good health; was jovial friendly and kind. He had lived in Bonaparte fifty years. Funeral services will be held at the home Wednesday afternoon at two. An obituary will be published in the next Record

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Scrapbook A, page 324, Keosauqua Public Library; Keosauqua, IA