EASTER, Charles W.: Died 1926

EASTER, HOOK, BARNARD, WOODS

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 10/23/2016 at 19:55:11

**Handwritten: 1926

TRAGIC DEATH OF CHAS. W. EASTER
Prominent Business Man Killed While at Work in Field on Friday

"In the midst of life we are in death," was again demonstrated by the sudden passing away of Charles W. Easter, president of the Bonaparte State Bank, on Friday evening, Nov. 5th.

Mr. Easter had gone to his farm near Harrisburg to assist his son, James, in some repair work on a building. James was called to the home of a neighbor to assist in sawing wood, and C.W. decided to keep himself busy by hauling a load of fertilizer.

Mrs. Jas. Easter noticed that he left the barns with a load about 3:30 o'clock in the afternoon. When it began to grow dark and he had not returned she became alarmed and sent her daughter, Roberta, to locate him. "Robbie" soon came running home to tell her mother that she had found him in the field lying on the ground and that she thought he was dead.

Brice Hufford, who was husking corn on the place, had just arrived with a load, and he was sent to take care of Mr. Easter while Mrs. Easter called help, and the Page ambulance.

No one will ever know just how the accident occurred, but it seems that the team became frightened, and threw him from the spreader so that one of the heavy wheels struck his head, for his skull was fractured and his left arm broken. I was also evident that he had lived only a few minutes. There were no marks or bruises of consequence on his body. The team and spreader were located at some distance from him.

Tracks of the spreader indicated that the horses had left the track about thirty yards before Mr. Easter fell or was thrown from the machine. They were going down quite a grade at the time and it is possible that some part of the harness broke, allowing the machine to crowd the horses and causing them to become frightened. The horses and spreader were found in a ditch or ravine about two hundred yards from Mr. Easter, and the horses were still hitched to the machine although it was standing on end in the ditch.

Mr. Easter was seventy years of age and in good health. He and his son, H.J., had but recently returned from a visit in Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia exposition.

It can truly be said that the departed has lived well a life filled with purpose and accomplishments. A good citizen, a faithful, considerate neighbor and a loving father has gone to his reward. He leaves to mourn their loss: Three sons and one daughter, name above; two sisters Mrs. Carrie Hook of Pittsburg, Pa.; and Mrs. Mary Barnard of Cumberland, Md.; three brothers: James of Pittsburg, Pa.; Hamilton and George of Spokane, Wash., thirteen grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Those of his immediate family who survive are three sons, H.J., Frank and James; and one daughter, Mary.

Those of the family who came from a distance to attend the funeral were: George Easter of Farmington, Wash., a brother of the deceased; Frank Easter of Seattle, Wash., a son; Mrs. Margaret Woods Easter of Albia, a sister-in-law; and Miss Margaret Morris of (unreadable)...

A short service was held at H.J. Easter home in Bonaparte on Wednesday morning, Rev. Sapp officiated and the regular funeral service at Harrisburg church at ten o'clock Wednesday morning, Rev. Sapp officiating and being assisted by Re. Droz. Interment in Vale cemetery.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book H, Page 3, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA