STONEBRAKER, John Locke

STONEBRAKER, NELSON, LOCKE, DAVIS

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 10/12/2016 at 15:45:11

SAD AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT

The people of Stockport and vicinity were terribly shocked on Sunday evening when the sad news came of the accidental death of the accidental death of Miss Esther Nelson, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Nelson, of Birmingham, and the terrible injury of her companion, John L. Stonebraker, son of Mr. and Mrs. S.N. Stonebraker, of north of this city, when, in an unexplainable reason, the Ford touring car they were in, left the road, and went in the ditch, climbed the opposite bank, turned over backwards and crushed them, instantly killing Miss Nelson. Mr. Stonebraker died at 10:30 Monday morning from his injuries, almost without regaining consciousness, and was not able to tell any of the details of the accident.

The was not damaged much and was righted and driven the two miles back to Birmingham under its own power.

Miss Nelson was buried on Tuesday and Mr. Stonebraker on Wednesday.

Life History of Mr. Stonebraker.

John Locke Stonebraker, son of Mr. and Mrs. S.N. Stonebraker, was born on May 22nd, 1894, near this city and his boyhood days were spent on his father's farm in the manner in which farm boys usually spend their time. He finished the eighth grade in the country and then completed the academic course at Highland Park College, Des Moines.

At this time the United States entered the World War and John volunteered and entered the navy in which he served faithfully until he was discharged at the end of the war.

He was on the Transport Henderson which carried troops and supplies to France, her port being Brest. He made several voyages on one of which the Transport caught fire when about 700 miles out. The captain gave the crew permission to abandon her but John and about seventy others volunteered to stand by and take her back to port, which they did, having fought fire constantly for forty-eight hours, during all of which time they were all without sleep or food.

At the end of the war he was honorably discharged and for a time taught school, being very successful. In May, 1920, he entered the Farmers' Savings at Birmingham, Iowa, as the assistant cashier, which position he held at the time of his untimely death.

Mr. Stonebraker originally joined Elvin E. Cecil Post 147 of the American Legion and afterwards transferred his membership to the Haney-Brannan Post 81, at Birmingham, on account of his position and the fact that he made his home in that city with his aunt, Miss Jane Locke. At the age of 13 he joined the Methodist Episcopal church at East Union and remained a most faithful member until he was called to his higher reward.

When a young lad he was always anxious to do right. As a young man he was clean and conscientious, without any of the objectionable habits that boys are apt to acquire. He was an excellent student and was loved by all his teachers. One lady, who had been his Sunday School teacher, stated that she could always depend on John; that he always had his lesson and was always earnest and attentive.

He was held in highest esteem by all his business associates, and socially was a general favorite.

He was a good, kind son and brother, and leaves to mourn his loss his father and mother, one brother, Brown; three sisters, Blanche and Margaret at home, and Mrs. Roy E. Davis of Quincy, Mich.; also three aunts, and uncle, several cousins and a host of friends.

The funeral was held at the home of his parents on Wednesday, May 11th, at 10:00 a.m., conducted by Rev. A.L. Jordan, of the M.E. church of this city and in charge of the American Legion with interment in the Winchester cemetery with military honors.

The floral offerings were numerous and beautiful, some coming from organizations with which he was connected, others from relatives and his personal friends.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book G, Page 236, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA