Ends His Life With A Rifle - Ara H. Steele Closes His Earthly Career By Suicide Sunday Night
Ara H. Steele, one of the most prominent and widely known farmers in this section, committed suicide at his home five miles north and east of Halstead about 8 o'clock Sunday evening by shooting himself throught the right temple with a 22 calibre rifle.
It was noticed by members of the family that Ara seemed depressed most of Sunday, but at the evening meal he seemed to be in his usual good spirits. Following the supper one of the sons started to clean some of the guns about the home and the rifle being missed from its accustomed place which was something out of the ordinary. This caused some apprehension and as the boys started some noise in the vicinity of the barn and upon some of the family going out to investigate, Mr. Steele was found in the implement shed with blood oozing from his right temple. Physicians were at once called from the Halstead Hospital and upon arrival of Drs. Chesky and McMillan with a Nurse, it was evident to the experienced physicians that nothing could be done and that death was the question of a short time. His life hung on by a slender thread for two hours and about 10 o'clock he quietly breathed his last. Coroner Smith and the undertaker were then called and upon the arrival of the Coroner from Newton it was decided, after hearing all the facts in the case, that an inquest was not necessary.
Mr. Steele had worried over financial conditions for some time. Neighbors who are more or less familiar with the true conditions assert that these troubles were more fancied than real as he owned 320 acres of good land, well improved, and also a considerable amount of personal property.
Ara H. Steele was born near Warrington, Ind., May 9, 1878 and had therefore passed his 45th yar of age. He came to Halstead with his widowed mother in 1885 and at once was taken care of at the home of the late William Charlton where he had been regarded as one of the family. The Charlton farm on which he had since lived became his own property a number of years ago. He had been engaged in the hardware business at Hesston for a short time and it is thought that was the beginning of the financial worry.
He was married, Nov. 24, 1898 to Miss May Boyer, his now bereaved widow. From this union there are seven children, the youngest being but four years of age. The chldren are Mrs. John Crandall, who lived on the adjoining farm, Alvin Steele, who graduated from the Newton High School last spring, Eldo, Wayne, Kenneth, Arline and Bobby. He is also survived by two brothers, Benton Steele of Sedgwick, and John Steele of this city. Two sisters, Mrs Charles Cutter of Watonga, Okla., and Mrs Claude Viersen of this city are among the relavites who will keenly feel his death in such a tragic manner.
The deceased was genearaly regarded as one of our substantial and well balanced young farmers who took an important part in the affairs of the community in which he had lived since early childhood. He was a good citizen, good neighbor, a kind and indulgent husband and father and his death has cast a gloom over the entire range of his acquaintance in this portion of the county. In the hour of sorrow which has saddened the home, the family has the deepest sympathy of all who know him.
Mr. Steele carried a considerable amount of life insurance, but the extent of which is not now known but supposed to be something like $12,000. Of this he had a policy for $5,000 in the Illinois Life Insurance Co., for which Bachman & Smith are the local agents.
The funeral will be held from the late home this Wednesday afternoon at 1:30, conducted by the Rev. H. L. Trice, Pastor of the Hesston Evangelical Church, who will be assisted by Rev. A. R. Hardy, Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Newton.
Are you a Steele descendant? If so you can be a member of the Steele Family Exchange Site powered by My Family. Lots of information is shared with photos & Steele history. To get an account please email: Robin Biddle at [email protected] and she will let you know what is needed to become a member. It is free to join.
Suggested by Janet Steele Personette
Ara H. Steele, one of the most prominent and widely known farmers in this section, committed suicide at his home five miles north and east of Halstead about 8 o'clock Sunday evening by shooting himself throught the right temple with a 22 calibre rifle.
It was noticed by members of the family that Ara seemed depressed most of Sunday, but at the evening meal he seemed to be in his usual good spirits. Following the supper one of the sons started to clean some of the guns about the home and the rifle being missed from its accustomed place which was something out of the ordinary. This caused some apprehension and as the boys started some noise in the vicinity of the barn and upon some of the family going out to investigate, Mr. Steele was found in the implement shed with blood oozing from his right temple. Physicians were at once called from the Halstead Hospital and upon arrival of Drs. Chesky and McMillan with a Nurse, it was evident to the experienced physicians that nothing could be done and that death was the question of a short time. His life hung on by a slender thread for two hours and about 10 o'clock he quietly breathed his last. Coroner Smith and the undertaker were then called and upon the arrival of the Coroner from Newton it was decided, after hearing all the facts in the case, that an inquest was not necessary.
Mr. Steele had worried over financial conditions for some time. Neighbors who are more or less familiar with the true conditions assert that these troubles were more fancied than real as he owned 320 acres of good land, well improved, and also a considerable amount of personal property.
Ara H. Steele was born near Warrington, Ind., May 9, 1878 and had therefore passed his 45th yar of age. He came to Halstead with his widowed mother in 1885 and at once was taken care of at the home of the late William Charlton where he had been regarded as one of the family. The Charlton farm on which he had since lived became his own property a number of years ago. He had been engaged in the hardware business at Hesston for a short time and it is thought that was the beginning of the financial worry.
He was married, Nov. 24, 1898 to Miss May Boyer, his now bereaved widow. From this union there are seven children, the youngest being but four years of age. The chldren are Mrs. John Crandall, who lived on the adjoining farm, Alvin Steele, who graduated from the Newton High School last spring, Eldo, Wayne, Kenneth, Arline and Bobby. He is also survived by two brothers, Benton Steele of Sedgwick, and John Steele of this city. Two sisters, Mrs Charles Cutter of Watonga, Okla., and Mrs Claude Viersen of this city are among the relavites who will keenly feel his death in such a tragic manner.
The deceased was genearaly regarded as one of our substantial and well balanced young farmers who took an important part in the affairs of the community in which he had lived since early childhood. He was a good citizen, good neighbor, a kind and indulgent husband and father and his death has cast a gloom over the entire range of his acquaintance in this portion of the county. In the hour of sorrow which has saddened the home, the family has the deepest sympathy of all who know him.
Mr. Steele carried a considerable amount of life insurance, but the extent of which is not now known but supposed to be something like $12,000. Of this he had a policy for $5,000 in the Illinois Life Insurance Co., for which Bachman & Smith are the local agents.
The funeral will be held from the late home this Wednesday afternoon at 1:30, conducted by the Rev. H. L. Trice, Pastor of the Hesston Evangelical Church, who will be assisted by Rev. A. R. Hardy, Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Newton.
Are you a Steele descendant? If so you can be a member of the Steele Family Exchange Site powered by My Family. Lots of information is shared with photos & Steele history. To get an account please email: Robin Biddle at [email protected] and she will let you know what is needed to become a member. It is free to join.
Suggested by Janet Steele Personette
Ends His Life With A Rifle - Ara H. Steele Closes His Earthly Career By Suicide Sunday Night
Ara H. Steele, one of the most prominent and widely known farmers in this section, committed suicide at his home five miles north and east of Halstead about 8 o'clock Sunday evening by shooting himself throught the right temple with a 22 calibre rifle.
It was noticed by members of the family that Ara seemed depressed most of Sunday, but at the evening meal he seemed to be in his usual good spirits. Following the supper one of the sons started to clean some of the guns about the home and the rifle being missed from its accustomed place which was something out of the ordinary. This caused some apprehension and as the boys started some noise in the vicinity of the barn and upon some of the family going out to investigate, Mr. Steele was found in the implement shed with blood oozing from his right temple. Physicians were at once called from the Halstead Hospital and upon arrival of Drs. Chesky and McMillan with a Nurse, it was evident to the experienced physicians that nothing could be done and that death was the question of a short time. His life hung on by a slender thread for two hours and about 10 o'clock he quietly breathed his last. Coroner Smith and the undertaker were then called and upon the arrival of the Coroner from Newton it was decided, after hearing all the facts in the case, that an inquest was not necessary.
Mr. Steele had worried over financial conditions for some time. Neighbors who are more or less familiar with the true conditions assert that these troubles were more fancied than real as he owned 320 acres of good land, well improved, and also a considerable amount of personal property.
Ara H. Steele was born near Warrington, Ind., May 9, 1878 and had therefore passed his 45th yar of age. He came to Halstead with his widowed mother in 1885 and at once was taken care of at the home of the late William Charlton where he had been regarded as one of the family. The Charlton farm on which he had since lived became his own property a number of years ago. He had been engaged in the hardware business at Hesston for a short time and it is thought that was the beginning of the financial worry.
He was married, Nov. 24, 1898 to Miss May Boyer, his now bereaved widow. From this union there are seven children, the youngest being but four years of age. The chldren are Mrs. John Crandall, who lived on the adjoining farm, Alvin Steele, who graduated from the Newton High School last spring, Eldo, Wayne, Kenneth, Arline and Bobby. He is also survived by two brothers, Benton Steele of Sedgwick, and John Steele of this city. Two sisters, Mrs Charles Cutter of Watonga, Okla., and Mrs Claude Viersen of this city are among the relavites who will keenly feel his death in such a tragic manner.
The deceased was genearaly regarded as one of our substantial and well balanced young farmers who took an important part in the affairs of the community in which he had lived since early childhood. He was a good citizen, good neighbor, a kind and indulgent husband and father and his death has cast a gloom over the entire range of his acquaintance in this portion of the county. In the hour of sorrow which has saddened the home, the family has the deepest sympathy of all who know him.
Mr. Steele carried a considerable amount of life insurance, but the extent of which is not now known but supposed to be something like $12,000. Of this he had a policy for $5,000 in the Illinois Life Insurance Co., for which Bachman & Smith are the local agents.
The funeral will be held from the late home this Wednesday afternoon at 1:30, conducted by the Rev. H. L. Trice, Pastor of the Hesston Evangelical Church, who will be assisted by Rev. A. R. Hardy, Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Newton.
Are you a Steele descendant? If so you can be a member of the Steele Family Exchange Site powered by My Family. Lots of information is shared with photos & Steele history. To get an account please email: Robin Biddle at [email protected] and she will let you know what is needed to become a member. It is free to join.
Suggested by Janet Steele Personette
Ara H. Steele, one of the most prominent and widely known farmers in this section, committed suicide at his home five miles north and east of Halstead about 8 o'clock Sunday evening by shooting himself throught the right temple with a 22 calibre rifle.
It was noticed by members of the family that Ara seemed depressed most of Sunday, but at the evening meal he seemed to be in his usual good spirits. Following the supper one of the sons started to clean some of the guns about the home and the rifle being missed from its accustomed place which was something out of the ordinary. This caused some apprehension and as the boys started some noise in the vicinity of the barn and upon some of the family going out to investigate, Mr. Steele was found in the implement shed with blood oozing from his right temple. Physicians were at once called from the Halstead Hospital and upon arrival of Drs. Chesky and McMillan with a Nurse, it was evident to the experienced physicians that nothing could be done and that death was the question of a short time. His life hung on by a slender thread for two hours and about 10 o'clock he quietly breathed his last. Coroner Smith and the undertaker were then called and upon the arrival of the Coroner from Newton it was decided, after hearing all the facts in the case, that an inquest was not necessary.
Mr. Steele had worried over financial conditions for some time. Neighbors who are more or less familiar with the true conditions assert that these troubles were more fancied than real as he owned 320 acres of good land, well improved, and also a considerable amount of personal property.
Ara H. Steele was born near Warrington, Ind., May 9, 1878 and had therefore passed his 45th yar of age. He came to Halstead with his widowed mother in 1885 and at once was taken care of at the home of the late William Charlton where he had been regarded as one of the family. The Charlton farm on which he had since lived became his own property a number of years ago. He had been engaged in the hardware business at Hesston for a short time and it is thought that was the beginning of the financial worry.
He was married, Nov. 24, 1898 to Miss May Boyer, his now bereaved widow. From this union there are seven children, the youngest being but four years of age. The chldren are Mrs. John Crandall, who lived on the adjoining farm, Alvin Steele, who graduated from the Newton High School last spring, Eldo, Wayne, Kenneth, Arline and Bobby. He is also survived by two brothers, Benton Steele of Sedgwick, and John Steele of this city. Two sisters, Mrs Charles Cutter of Watonga, Okla., and Mrs Claude Viersen of this city are among the relavites who will keenly feel his death in such a tragic manner.
The deceased was genearaly regarded as one of our substantial and well balanced young farmers who took an important part in the affairs of the community in which he had lived since early childhood. He was a good citizen, good neighbor, a kind and indulgent husband and father and his death has cast a gloom over the entire range of his acquaintance in this portion of the county. In the hour of sorrow which has saddened the home, the family has the deepest sympathy of all who know him.
Mr. Steele carried a considerable amount of life insurance, but the extent of which is not now known but supposed to be something like $12,000. Of this he had a policy for $5,000 in the Illinois Life Insurance Co., for which Bachman & Smith are the local agents.
The funeral will be held from the late home this Wednesday afternoon at 1:30, conducted by the Rev. H. L. Trice, Pastor of the Hesston Evangelical Church, who will be assisted by Rev. A. R. Hardy, Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Newton.
Are you a Steele descendant? If so you can be a member of the Steele Family Exchange Site powered by My Family. Lots of information is shared with photos & Steele history. To get an account please email: Robin Biddle at [email protected] and she will let you know what is needed to become a member. It is free to join.
Suggested by Janet Steele Personette
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
