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Submitted: 11/8/13 • Approved: 11/17/13 • Last Updated: 3/13/18 • R15642-G15642-S3
January 30, 1842 - 2 July, 1931
Burr Oak Herald
July 9, 1931
Robert Richland Skeels
Prominent Pioneer Citizen is Gone
Picture if you will, a young man, strong, energetic, determined, walking into the little village of Burr Oak, March 1, 1872, having made the journey on foot with heavy baggage from Scandia, Kansas, which was the farthest he could come by rail. He settled on the farm on White Rock Creek five miles northwest of Burr Oak, and moved his family here the following fall. He resided there two years and returned to Illinois in 1874, only to come back to the same farm in 1881. He hauled lumber from Waterville by ox team to erect a home in the Far West. There was something in the wild west that appealed to Mr. Skeels. He loved the out door life, the green earth, the face of town and country, the unspeakable rural solitudes and country, the sweet security of the streets. The sun and the sky, and breeze, and the solitary walks, and the summer holidays, and the juices of the wild meats, and society, and the the candlelight, and the fireside conversations. When he worked, he worked strenuously and when it was over, there was recreation to his liking. He loved a horse, a dog, and a gun, and in those days, ample opportunity was given for them all.
In the sod-house and dug-out days, friends were friends and neighbors were neighbors. Everyone who entered this home received a warm reception.
Later on when other villages in the country sprang up, Rev. Breel who was the first pastor of the Burr Oak Charge, made frequent visits to the home, and in turn with an ox-drawn wagon sojourned to their place near Jewel Centre, and on every occasion, the Skeels family sang this familiar hymn, "Home of the Soul. He took an active part in all enterprise of an uplifting nature. He was a charter member of the first M. E. Church. This organization was located one mile east of Burr Oak, and he remained a useful and loyal member to the last.
Few men indeed have filled so many varied and worthy places of trust in this county and town as did he, acting in the capacity of County Commissioner over a period of fifteen years, trustee of the school boards in every district in which he lived, filled every office in the church, and was director of the old time singing schools before the use of instruments was known. Not only did he have a fine voice, but he enjoyed and was a good judge of music. It is hard to say in a few lines what it took one long life to fill. He was heir to all of the hardships that befell the early settlers, the Indians, grasshoppers, prairie fires, hot winds in the summer and hard blizzards in winter, but undaunted, he carried on, having faith in himself, his country, and God. "Those coming first build up for those who follow, paving the future though they know not of it."
Robert Richard Skeels was one of three children, born to Henry Skeels and wife in Onarga, Illinois, January 30, 1842. Mr. Skeels had been married three times. He first wedded Susannah Riner, September 1861, and to this union two children were born, Mary Grubbs of Sterling, Colo., and Dan H. of Burr Oak. These good people were also foster parents to orphan relatives, Annie and Emmett Kennison and Jake Kiser. After his wife's death in 1892, Mrs. Frances Darling of Burr Oak became his wife. She, too, died in 1907. Mr. Skeels and Mrs. Sarah Beanblossom were united in marriage in 1911, she preceding him in death by only a few months.
Uncle Robert's life had been despaired of for some time, and after fitfully flickering for some time, the candle of life was snuffed out, the loving heart ceased to beat, and the proud spirit took its flight to that God whom he loved and feared and served on the evening of July 2, 1931, at the age of 89 years, 5 months, 2 days. He leaves to mourn his going, his son and daughter, three-grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren who, with a host of other relative and friends was limited in number to the circle of his wide acquaintances.
So passes another of the few pioneers of this section of the country who are left.
A man who radiated the sunshine of good cheer and good fellowship, a man who always had time to aid any good work for moral and material advancement of the community, giving to such work not only of his means, but of his valuable time.
A public spirited citizen, a loyal friend, a devoted husband and father, a Christian gentleman and an honest man.
The funeral services were held at the M.E. Church Sunday afternoon July 5, conduced by Ira Wagoner, assisted by Kermit C. Walker. Suitable music was rendered by the quartet and internment was made in the Burr Oak Cemetery.
Photo Courtesy of Ellie Sparks
Contributed on 11/8/13 by jeannebedwell
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Record #: 15642