Elias H Bookwalter Obit
Fort Wayne, Allen Co., Newspaper
April 4, 1917
Recorder of Allen County
Answers Call
Elias H Bookwalter Dies
Following a Brief Illness
Due to Apoplexy
Elias H Bookwalter, Allen County Recorder and for many years connected with The Sentinel, died at 9:20 o’clock Wednesday Evening at his home, 119 West Williams street. Death was due to a brief illness following a stroke of apoplexy. Mr. Bookwalter was 63 years of age and had resided in Fort Wayne for a half century.
The deceased had been on duty in the court hours until Wednesday of last week. It was reported Thursday morning that he was ill and was unable to come to work the remainder of the week. On Sunday he seemed to rally but Monday evening he suffered a second stroke of apoplexy. He lapsed into unconsciousness, in which condition he remained until his death. The members of his immediate family were summoned to his bedside Tuesday as death had been expected at anytime
Politically, Mr. Bookwalter was a republican and at the election last November he was elected to the office of recorder. He entered upon his duties as a county official January 1, 1917. Previous to that time he had been identified with the newspapers of the city. Several years ago he was a pressman on the old Gazette, for years has been connected with the Sentinel. He had charge of the county circulation while connected with the latter paper and in this capacity became widely know throughout Allen County.
Mr. Bookwalter was born in Wabash county, Indiana May 16, 1854 and was the son of Jacob and Elizabeth Bookwalter. He spent his youth on his fathers farm but came to Allen county with his parents in 1858. The family settled on the old Sheridan farmnorth of Robison park. The deceased resided here until 1870 when he came to Fort Wayne and had resided here ever since.
Three years after moving to this city, he was united in marriage to Mis Catherine Perrin to which union was born one child, ClydeRiley Bookwalter. Who passed away in November 1915. Besides the widow he is survived by the aged father who resides iin Indianapolis, three brothers, Charles A Bookwalter, ex-mayor of Indianapolis. John A Bookwalter of Minneapolis and Edward J Bookwalter of Halsted Kansas, and one sister, Mrs. Lucetta J Cook of Seattle Washington
Mr Bookwalter was a member of Harmony lodge I. O. O. F. and Sons of the Veterans. Among his friends, Mr.Bookwalter was known as “Doc”. His acquaintanceship was almost unlimited in Allen County and he possessed a personality which made for him friends wherever he went. He was a faithful public servant and his death comes as a distinct loss to the entire community. For many years he took part in the preparations for Memorial Day Celebration in Fort Wayne, and was to have assisted this year.
For years, Mr. Bookwalter was engaged in the manufacture of press rollers. For years he was the only man in Fort Wayne Engaged in this kind of work.
Miss Velma Bookwalter, deputy county recorder, is the only grand childe of the deceased. She is the daughter of Mrs. Clyde Bookwalter, formerly Miss Stella Botzum, of Akron, O., who conducts a tea and coffee house on East Wayne Street.
Bookwalter Perrin Cook Botzum