Major Doke

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Page 2 Love Letter

Page 3 Sister Letter

Davis County, Iowa

Thompson Dickson Doke [6 May 1835-8 June 1930]

T D Doke married Matilda "Tillie" Kuffel; and their children are Edith, David E, Albert and Otis C.

1915

1916

1925

1911

1898

IMPRESSIVE RITES FOR MAJOR DOKE

FINAL RITES FOR OLDEST CITIZEN CONDUCTED AT METHODIST CHURCH

The funeral of Major T D Doke was held

Friday at 2:00 in the Methodist church conducted by the pastor Rev. Poole and the Masonic body. The body are right in Bloomfield, Thursday from the Ephriam, Utah, where he died Sunday, June 8 at the home of his son, Odie, who with another son David accompanied the remains to Bloomfield.

The attendance was very large. Numerous representatives from neighboring counties came to give evidence of the esteem in which the deceased was held over a large section of this portion of the state. The Masonic body that ended as a unit conducting the beautiful burial service at the grave with HC brown reading the pallbearers, SC Young, GC Prosser, WP Huffman, James Smith, Author Ray and George W Goode were chosen from the Davis County fair association, the organization which an enlisted his strongest in heartiest support in the days when earnest in united endeavors were required to give it life. The G A R was represented by 5 of the remaining comrades, Capt Battin, Joseph Curl, Amos White, Ben Armstrong and Hiram DeVault. The legion post delegated members to do the military honors, guards keeping watch during the services in the church and that the grave, in the north cemetery. Charles Fellinger, Sam Wray, CC Coy, J.D. Leach, John Tunnell and Lester Dixon, composed the honorary guard that stood watch while the body was lying in state at the church from 1030 until the close of the futile service and then finished a military escort to the grave.

The following fraternal groups that ended the last rites for there were the comrade in a body grand army of the Republic, the woman’s relief car corps, odd Fellows and masons.

Thompson Dixon Doke was born May 6, 1835 in Ohio. When six months old his parents moved to Koscinko County, Indiana, locating near the county seat, Warsaw. Here was spent his boyhood and young manhood. Among close attachments form that the early period was the former vice president of United States, Thomas Marshall, a friendship that continue to all the years afterwards. When the Civil War came Mr. Bill was one of the first to enlist. He entered the service as a member of the 44th Indiana infantry and soon attained the rank of first Leutenant. The regiment remained in the service for years and two months, and saw a hard service, participating in some of the most severe and decisive battles of the war. When muster now Mr. Bill came home as a captain.

In March 1867 he was married to Matilda Kuffel and their wedding journey was a trip west word overland and behind a fine team of horses and an elegant carriage for those days. Have the June Raines interrupted their progress when they reached Bloomfield, or they stopped that the old eagle house, a hostelry, torn down years ago to make room for this house of worship, ( Methodist church ) .

Compelled to remain longer than intended, Mr. Doke investigated the field here, and decided to stay. He never regretted his decision and in all the succeeding years until age deprived him of activity, he was an influential citizen, a part of the community in every respect. He embarked in the livery business, buying and selling wars is in mules. He operated a stage line between Bloomfield and Keosaqua, saw one and between Ottumwa and Bloomfield. The railroad had not reached Bloomfield then. He pursued his location with a few interruptions until he reached the age of 86 when he decided to retire. He did not remain inactive, but believe his time in many community enterprises and in trouble. It can because we spoke emit no word Vally public proposal ever failed to receive the endorsement of Mr. Doak and his influence was always behind whenever planned the community needed to advance its interests.

He was made a Mason while in the field as a soldier in the year 1863 and remained inactive worker to the end of his days, covering a period of 67 years. He became an odd fellow in 1870, remaining true to that body. He was a charter member of the eastern star, faithful in earnest. He was devoted to the principle of the GAR and was an energetic supporter.

When the Davis County fair was reorganized years ago he was instrumental and placing it on a sound financial leases. As an appreciation of his untiring and devoted work he was made an honorary life member. When Bloomfield voted to build the public library he was a polling kid a member of the first board, continuing until his death. For 25 years he was deputy marshal and Marshall of the state fair, and on are coming to him because of his popularity, his devotion to his interests and his excellent horsemanship. He held the same positions with the Davis County fair, until unable to discharge the duties. He was a staunch republican and knew intimately the politicians of the state. He was a warm and personal friend of Governor Carroll. Clark. Kendall and Hamill. He was appointed sergeant at arms for the I was senate when he was 89 years old, continuing for five years. He knew parsley the majority of public men in the state and held the friendship of everyone. His popularity was notable.

He was a great traveler, visiting every state the union at some time in his lifetime and he was a valuable source of information concerning conditions in the localities where he visited. In 1928 expressed the desire to visit the battle fields in the south, especially those in which he had participated. The journey was made in company with his daughter, Miss Edith Johnson. Notwithstanding his age his memory was clear and he readily re called the stirring events of those days. In 1928 and went to the shrine conclave in Los Angeles, California, stopping on the return trip at Ephriam, Utah, to see his son OC. While visiting there he fell, breaking his ankle causing physical difficulties from which he never recovered. He died at the home of his son in Ephriam, Sunday, June 8, aged 95 years and one month, two days. He leaves three sons OC of Ephriam ,Utah; David of Los Angeles, California and Albert of Los Angeles, California and one daughter, Mrs. Edith Johnson of Bloomfield, also two grandchildren, Ruth Jackson of Los Angeles and Edgar B. Johnson of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

With the death of Major Doke, as he was known to everyone, past the last Bloomfield businessman of the sixties and seventies. All the man whom he knew in a business way when he came to Bloomfield and established himself, have gone to their reward. He was like the link connecting the past with the present and his recollection of events transpiring more than ½ century ago relating to this community was relied upon, because he had lived with the city and its environs and not as one apart. He was generous. No distress appealed ever passed by his door because the impulse of his heart was sympathetic. He believed in the old proverb that a soft answer turn of the way round in numerous stories have been told of his quick end to restrict or when someone thought he had a grievance against him and indeed bird to Bette his spite in words. He enjoyed a joke beyond the ordinary man in his last year’s the only stimulant required to rouse his mental facilities again with a humorous story. Instantly he became alert and the same jovial companion as a bold. He left his impressive on the times. He knew the weaknesses of the human family and it did not make him an missing from he knew the uses of adversity and it made him a wise and useful man. He glorified in the health a living example to everyone who complained. He loved the early morning and his inspirations and his days a poll began early that he might feel uplifted and better able to withstand the shocks of the day. He was modest and one for companion for his keen analytical mind sort the true from the false and his speech was cheerful. With the passing of the spine your character Bloomfield lost a landmark taken his place in the home of things and labored faithfully and well.