Stephen Douglas A. Van Dorn, 1860-1942

The Seymour Herald -26 February 1942

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  Stephen Douglas A. Van Dorn, son of Abraham and Manervia Van Dorn was born October 26, 1860 at Hibbsville, in Appanoose county, Iowa, and departed this life Feb. 18, 1942 at the age of 81 years, 3 months and 22 days, at the home of his daughter Mrs. Frank Crooks near Seymour, Iowa.

  He was united in marriage to Jennie Stewart January 1, 1885.  To this union were born six children:  David Abraham of Dillon, Mo., Mrs. Frank Crooks of Seymour, Earnest Eugene of Jerome, Iowa, Ms. Clyde Smith, Mrs. Dolpha Bone of Seymour, William Bryan of Numa, Iowa, and one step-son Bernice Van Sickle.

  His wife preceded him in death March 26, 1901.

  He was a kind and loving father and kept his children together through long years of toil and hardship.  He was both father and mother to his children until they were all grown and married.  He spent all of his life on a farm south of Jerome, excepting a few years in Seymour.

  He was united in marriage to Lillie McCowan Sept. 23, 1916, who preceded him in death March 8, 1927.  After her death, he spent his time among his children.

  He had been in failing health for sometime, but always looked on the bright side of everything.  All was done that kind and loving hands could do, but to no avail.

  He was a great lover of little children; and was blessed with 21 children and 18 great grandchildren.

  Besides the above mentioned he leaves to mourn his passing a host of relatives and friends.

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Just a few days,

  And how we miss him.

Never will his memory fade.

Father is gone, but not forgotten.

  Claimed by the silent grave

  In the grave yard softly sleeping.

Where the flowers gently wave.

  Lies the one we love so dearly.

In his lone and silent grave.

  From this world of pain and sorrow.

To the land of peace and rest.

  God has taken our dear father.

Where he will have eternal rest.

  Rest on, dear father, your labor is o’er.

  Your toiling hands will toil no more.

A faithful father true and kind.

  No friend on earth like you we’ll find.

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Editor's Note: Stephen Douglas A. Van Dorn was buried in Southlawn Cemetery, Seymour, Wayne County, Iowa.

Francis William Crooks, 1881-1947

Unidentified Newspaper Obituary

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Allerton Farmer Dies in Seymour

  Francis Crooks, 66, farmer living southeast of Allerton, died Wednesday morning, Sept. 10, following a long illness. He had been suffering with asthma and heart trouble and became worse Wednesday. Taken to Seymour to consult a doctor, he died at the home of his brother-in-law, E. E. Van Dorn.

  Francis William Crooks, son of Francis and Martha Crooks, was born Feb. 16, 1881 in Carrol county, Missouri and died Sept. 10, 1947 at the age of 66 years, 6 months and 25 days.

  He was united in marriage to Miss Nevada Van Dorn on Feb. 15, 1909 at Jerome, Ia. To this union were born four children: Cleo, Pauline, Geneva and Francis.

  Most of his life was spent in Iowa except 13 years spent at Ipswich, S.D. The family returned to Iowa from there in 1932 and resided near Seymour until four years ago when they moved to a farm south of Allerton.

  He is survived by his widow, two sons and two daughters: Cleo and Mrs. Roy Middleton of Guthrie Center; Mrs. Walter Pritchett of Newton and Francis of the home; also seven grandchildren, three sisters, two brothers and a number of nieces and nephews.

  He was a kind and loving husband and father, and had many friends who admired him for his kindly nature.

  Funeral services were held from the Methodist church in Seymour Saturday, Sept. 13. Music was furnished by Reva Anderson and Lorene Ockerman with Mrs. Harley Merritt at the piano. Pallbearers were Lowell Ockerman, Dale Shriver, Alva Blanchard, Jim Larkins, Lowell Shelly, and Harvey Blancard. Flower girls were three granddaughters, Verna Jean Steen, Peggy Lee Steen and Deloris Middleton. 

  Burial was made in the Jerome cemetery.

Crooks Gravestone in the Jerome Cemetery

Row 5, Block 26, Lot 2

Sandy Becknal, 1891-1960

Daily Iowegian - 8 March 1960

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 Sandy Becknal, of Davenport, former longtime custodian of the Ray C. Walden Post of the American Legion here, died at 10:35 a.m. Saturday, February 6, 1960, at the Veterans Hospital in Iowa City. He had been a patient there since January 3. He was 68 years, six months, and seven days old.

  Becknal was born in Jerome July 29, 1891, the son of William and Dora Houston Becknal. He was a veteran of World War I.

  He was married to Myrtle Houston Joiner, who surives his passing, along with a stepson, Wil ... Iren Joiner, and a sister, Mrs. Ruth Updike of Rockford, Ill. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Mrs. Mable Crooks. 

  Funeral services will be Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at the Johnson Funeral Home, with the Rev. Frank Johnson officiating. Burial will be in the Jerome Cemetery. Military services will be conducted by the Ray C. Walden post of the American Legion.

Crooks-Vandorn Wedding - An Interesting Event Near Jerome Sunday Evening

Semi-Weekly Iowegian - 19 February 1909

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  Jerome, Feb. 19 -- Sunday evening Feb. 14, 1909, at the home of the bride's father, Douglas Vandorn, two miles southwest of Jerome, Frank Crooks and Miss Nada Vandorn were united in marriage at six o'clock by Justice Condra, in the presence of more than thirty relatives and friends, the couple being attended by Ben Sedgwick Jr., and Miss Grace Seathe.  The bride was attired in a beautiful white silk lace trimmed gown.

  Immediately following the ceremony and congratulations the guests repaired to the dining room where a most delicious wedding dinner was served, having been prepared by the bride and relatives.  The evening was spent in a social way and notwithstanding the storm outside joy and good cheer reigned supreme within.

  Mr. Crooks is a miner and has boarded with his brother Ben at his place for the past several months.  Mrs. Crooks is the eldest daughter of Douglas Vandorn and has grown to womanhood in this community.  She has kept house for her father the past several years, her mother having died when she was quite a small girl.  Mr. and Mrs. Crooks are undecided as to where they will locate, but will probably reside in Shawville.

  Those present and the presents were as follows:  Geo. Vandorn and family, berry set; Abe Vandorn and wife, table cloth; Alva Murphy and wife, table cloth and towels; Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Moore and children, water pitcher and bread plate; Mrs. M. I. Moore, cake plate; Mr. and Mrs. Ben Crooks, table cloth; Miss Ocie Moore, salad bowl; Ira Huston, fruit dish; Bert Murphy, pickle dish; Gail Murphy, spoon tray; Fred Murphy, pillow cases; Dal Herrald and family, salad bowl; Mrs. Edna Kinney, desert dishes; Mrs. Ida Jagger, of Gothenburg, Neb., silver knives and forks; Mrs. Ida Murphy also presented them with a child's silver knife and fork.  We extend congratulations and best wishes for future success and happiness.