William Henry OLER

OLER, SHOEMAKER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:42

18 August 1867 ---- 25 June 1933

Services for W. H. Oler held Wednesday.

Pioneer Auctioneer and Farmer Claimed Suddenly by Death Sunday, June 25.

William H. Oler, 65, a pioneer auctioneer-farmer, and a courageous citizen of this community [Watonga, Oklahoma], died in a hospital at Enid Sunday, June 25, following a brief illness. Mr. Oler's death was attributed to acute appendicitis, although he had been in failing health during the past three months.

Mr. Oler had resided on his farm southeast of Watonga since coming to this country in 1902. In early life he began his career as an auctioneer as a sideline to his agricultural interests, but he soon gained fame as an auctioneer and it is estimated that he handled more than 1000 sales in this county alone during the past 20 years.

Mr. Oler was a man of splendid disposition and had friends through out this county. He was successful in his business venture, loyal to his friends, attentive to those cares which expressed a true love for his home life; his life was known to have possessed many virtues. A good man has passed away.

In October, 1888 he was married to Gertrude L. Shoemaker at Oregon, Ill. To this union seven children were born, all of whom survived their father. After about 4 years after their marriage the Oler's moved to Iowa, locating near Dows. Here they made their home, with the exception of a short period spent in California, until they came to this country ... was one of the largest funerals in the history of Watonga ...

Those serving as pallbearers were: Ira Burford, Abe Chaplin, Ed Wheelock, Nate Courtney, George Daugherty, and W. H. Phillips. The Keller funeral home had charge of the funeral arrangements.