Koob, Martin, 1894-1940

KOOB, SCHUSTER, CRABTREE

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/13/2022 at 16:46:31

From the Alton Democrat, March 8, 1940:

Found Man Dead In Wrecked Car

Martin Koob, a cousin of the Herrig family and well known to many in the Alton vicinity, where he lived for some years, died at Iona, Minn., the last of the week at the age of 44. He was found dead in his wrecked car but physicians believe he died of a heart attack while en route to his home from Iona, near which place he was operating a farm.

Mrs. John Reeff of Alton went to Ashton Monday evening and accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Al Jonas to Iona to attend the funeral of their cousin on Tuesday. Mr. Koob is survived by his widow and three children.

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From the Iona Journal, March 7, 1940:

MARTIN KOOB IS VICTIM OF FATAL AUTO ACCIDENT SATURDAY EVENING
CAR HITS ROAD EMBANKMENT NEAR WILMONT; VICTIM KILLED INSTANTLY; FUNERAL SERVICES HELD HERE TUESDAY

Martin Koob, 45, a well known former resident of our community, was the victim of a fatal accident at about 10:20 o’clock Saturday evening, March 2, in an automobile accident on the northern village limits of Wilmont. He had spent the evening in Wilmont having his car repaired at a garage and en route home to his farm, north and west of that city, Koob crashed into a ditch bank at the end of a dead-end road. The car came to rest astride the boundary fence by the side of the road, facing west. Mr. Koob and family moved to a farm near St. Kilian just last week, and [he] was not familiar with the dead-end road.

Nobles county coroner, E. A. Kilbride of Worthington was notified of the accident and reached the scene about midnight. An examination of the body revealed that Koob had suffered a broken neck, fractured upper jaw bone and nose and that death was evidently instantaneous, the coroner deciding that an inquest was unnecessary.

The Reusse ambulance of Fulda was ordered to the scene of the accident and the body was taken to the Reusse Funeral home where it was prepared for burial and at which time the family of the unfortunate man was also notified.

Mr. Koob who spent the greater part of his life in the Iona community, was well liked among his friends, his usual good nature made him popular with all who enjoyed his acquaintance, and because of the tragedy that so suddenly snapped out his life, sincere sympathy is now being extended to the bereaved family.

Martin N. Koob was born June 17, 1894 at St. Donatuis, Iowa. When a boy of seven years he moved with his parents to Murray county and settled in the vicinity of our city. On November 24, 1924, he was united in marriage to Miss Letha Crabtree at the St. Columba church. To this union three children were born. His father, the late Henry Koob, Sr., and two sisters, Gertrude and Mary, preceded him in death.

He leaves to mourn his tragic passing, his wife, one daughter Lois, two sons, Robert and Vernon; his mother, Mrs. Henry Koob, Sr.; five sisters, Mrs. J. J. Ehleringer (Theresa) and Mrs. Jos. Kellen (Rose), both of our community, Mrs. Frank Hunder (Clara) and Mrs. Ray Arens (Margaret) of Wheaton and Mrs. Frank McKenny (Loretta) of Wayzata; three brothers, Peter and Henry of the Iona community and Joseph of Minneapolis.

[Followed by information on the funeral service and a long list of relatives and friends who attended the funeral, including Mrs. John Reif and son of Alton, Iowa, and Mr. and Mrs. John Arens of LeMars.

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RESEARCH NOTES

No information was found as to when he had lived in the Alton vicinity.

His death certificate, 1940-MN-009850 (informant Henry Koob) has Martin Nicholas Koob, a resident of Murray County; wife Letha Crabtree; born June 17, 1894 in Jackson County, Iowa; parents Henry Koob, born in Iowa, and Mary Schuster, born in Germany; occupation farmer; died in Wilmont Township, Nobles County, about 11 p.m. March 2, 1940; found dead with broken neck and crushed chest as result of car wreck, ¾ mile north of Wilmont on a township road (corner) – ran car off blind corner; buried at Iona, Minn.

His FindaGrave.com page shows him buried in Saint Columba Cemetery, Iona, Murray County, Minn. Martin Nicholas Koob, born 17 June 1894; died 2 March 1940; parents Henry Koob (1866-1939) and Mary Ann Schuster Koob (1866-1942); six siblings listed; wife Letha R. Crabtree Koob (1900-1987); children Vernon Joseph Koob (1926-1996), Lois M. Koob Graff (1928-2010), Robert P. Koob (1930-1992), and William Henry Koob (1935-1935).

The Minnesota Official Marriage System shows Martin Nicholas Koob and Letha Rose Crabtree, married in Murray County, Minnesota 25 Nov 1924.

His World War I draft registration card (June 1917) shows him (age 23) a resident of Iona, Minn.; born 17 June 1894 in Dubuque, Iowa; single; occupation, farm laborer, working for his father in Slayton, Minn.; medium height and build, blue eyes, dark hair.