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Submitted: 11/8/13 • Approved: 11/17/13 • Last Updated: 3/13/18 • R15645-G15642-S3
November 15, 1865 - July 18, 1939
Burr Oak Herald (Kansas)
July 22, 1939
D. H. Skeels Rites this Eve
Prominent Farmer, Aged 73, Had been in Ill Health for Some Time
Only a few minutes after he had returned from a trip to Burr Oak, D. H. Skeels, 73, prominent farmer and stockman of the Otego neighborhood, died Tuesday morning. He has been in ill health for some time, but had been around and attending to business matter up to the time of his death.
Funeral services will be held this evening at 7 o'clock, at the Burr Oak Cemetery with Rev. C. R. Vasey officiating.
DANIEL HENRY SKEELS
Daniel Henry, only son of Robert and Susan Skeels, was born near Onarga, IL on Nov 15, 1865. With his parents and his only sister, Mary, and a few friends of the family, they traveled overland by ox team, bringing all of their worldly goods and located a home on White Rock Creek, five miles southwest of Burr Oak. They had their early privations and difficulties, along with all other new settlers. When their crops were completely destroyed by the grasshoppers--in the Grasshopper year--they returned to Illinois, where Mr. Skeels received his education, including a course in the Onarga Business College.
When Daniel Henry was 17 years old, the family returned to Jewell County and bought back their former farm home. When his parents moved to Burr Oak, Dan had full control of the farm, where he continuously resided for 48 years.
In 1887 Dan was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle Drake of Edmund, Kansas. One daughter, Vera, was born to bless their home.
Mr. Skeels united with the M. E. church in early manhood, gave liberally to its upkeep and enjoyed its fellowship. He attended church services regularly as long as his health would permit. He was conscientious and honest in all of his dealings, loved his neighbors and friends, and constantly sought to be of service to others.
He loved his family better than anyone else in the world, but he was also a great lover of children and many a mother's baby was lulled to sleep by his crooning of some tuneful lullaby. His affection for dumb animals, particularly the horse and the dog, was unusual.
He traveled but little, but broad reading and much study gave him an understanding of many things. Few men have so many admirable characteristics and his place will not soon be filled. Some years ago he suffered a nervous breakdown which gradually broke down his health and strength and made him an invalid for several months. He passed away quietly at his home on the morning of July 18, 1939, at the age of 73 years, 8 months, and 3 days. His going will be sadly missed by his faithful wife of the home, his daughter Mrs. William Brandt, and grand-daughters Helen Ann and Rosalee of Colorado Springs, Colorado, by his sister Mary Grubbs of Sterling, Colorado, and by other relative and a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
Appropriate funeral services will be held at Burr Oak cemetery this evening at 7 o'clock in charge of Rev. C.R. Vasey, the procession will leave the Merritt Funeral Home at 6:30. Music will be furnished by a double quartet, consisting of Mesdames Florence Pixler, Frances Davis, Lora Modlin, and Lillie Mann and Messrs Donald Modlin, Alfred Craighead, Dallas Davis and W. L. Mc Cormick. A vocal solo will be sung by W. M. Green of Jewell City. The hymns selected are: "A City Foursquare," Mercy," and "O, Love that Will Not Let Me Go." The pallbearers are Messrs Clarence Fearing, Charles and Emmet Lewis, A. B. Tegley and Laurel Pixler.
Photo Courtesy of Ellie Sparks
Contributed on 11/8/13 by jeannebedwell
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Record #: 15645