J. D. Eakin Killed Self

Was Found Dead in the Bath Room of his Residence Friday Morning

Had Been in Poor Health

John D. Eakin, aged almost 76, for almost half a century a resident of Washington county, became despondent of life in ill health and sometime last Friday night shot himself through the brain with a .410 calibre shotgun. His lifeless body was found at about 6 o’clock Saturday morning by his granddaughter, Lora Eakin, at his residence in Arlington.

Mr. Eakin had been in failing health for several years, most of the past winter being confined to the house. He was very social in his nature and liked to meet and mix with others and it is believed that he considered life not worth the living when denied this privilege by ill health that would end in death sooner or later.

He had gone to bed as usual and Mrs. Eakin and the granddaughter heard nothing of the shot, a light charge being used that made little noise. He left no note of any kind to the family as to the cause of his act, but for several days past he had been discussing his business affairs, as though he was contemplating ending his life.

Mr. Eakin was born in Washington county, Virginia. May 13th, 1852 and was married to Miss Florence Buss at Alvord, Va., January 22nd, 1874. In 1880 they came to this county and located first on a farm north of Arlington, where they made their home until fifteen years ago, they bought property and moved into the city of Arlington.

He is survived by his widow, six sons and two daughters as follows: B. H. and S. B. of Long Beach, California, W. B. of Hudson, Ohio, A. D., of Hydro, Okla., F. C., of Willard, Colo., H. M., of Burlington, Wash., Mrs. Will Cook and Mrs. Will Osterman, jr., of Arlington.

The funeral service was held at the Congregational church in Arlington at 2 o’clock Monday afternoon, Rev. F. E. Aeschbacher officiating. The church was filled to its capacity and the wealth of beautiful flowers bore mute testimony to the high esteem in which Mr. Eakin and his family were held in and about Arlington.

The music was furnished by a mixed quartette composed of Mrs. Alvin Anderson, Mrs. Lucy Lawson, Frank Brokaw and Vernon Marshall, singing, “Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me,” “Saved by Grace,” and “The City Four Square.”

The pallbearers were Fred LeWeber, George and Harvey Marshall, Clyde Cook, Tom Dowell and Floyd McCann. Burial was in the Arlington cemetery under Masonic auspices, he having been a member of that lodge for many years.

Mr. Eakin was a familiar figure in the county, having been active in politics for many years. He was a democrat of the old school and was to be seen at every county convention in the old days, being the nominee of that party for a county office a number of years ago.

The bereaved family have the sincere sympathy of their many friends.

#2 Printed in the May 10, 1928 Tribune, Blair, Nebraska

Dies At Arlington

John D. Eakin, County Pioneer, Buried Monday Afternoon

John D. Eakin, of Arlington and well known pioneer resident of Washington County for 48 years, committed suicide by shooting himself through the head with a 410 gauge shotgun sometime during last Friday night. His lifeless body was found by his granddaughter, Miss Lora Eakin, about 6:00 o’clock Saturday morning. He had been in failing health for the last few years and it is believed that worry over his condition caused the act. For the last few weeks he had been subject to despondent spells and for several days he had been discussing his business affairs. He had retired Friday evening apparently in his usual spirits and said nothing that caused any suspicion that he was contemplating such an act.

The deceased was born in Washington county, Virginia, May 13, 1852, and was married to Miss Florence Duff of Abbington, Virginia, on January 22, 1874. In 1880 they came to Nebraska and located on a farm on Bell creek north of Arlington where they lived until 15 years ago when they moved to Arlington. He had been a prominent democrat and until about a year ago he always took an active part in civic affairs.

He leaves to mourn his loss his bereaved wife, six sons, C. H. and S. V. Eakin of Long Beach, Calif., W. D. Eakin of Hudson, Ohio, A. D. Eakin of Hydro, Okla., F. C. Eakin of Willard, Colorado., and H. M. Eakin of Burlington, Washington; and two daughters, Mrs. Will Osterman Jr., and Mrs. M. H. Cook of Arlington. Nineteen grandchildren also survive.

Funeral services were conducted from the Arlington Congregational church at 2:00 o’clock on Monday afternoon, the Rev. J. C. Aschenbacher officiating, after which interment was made in Arlington cemetery.

#3-Published in Enterprise on 10 May 1928

Eakin, John D., 76

Burial in Arlington Cemetery

PROMINENT CITIZEN COMMITS SUICIDE

A MAN HELD IN HIGH ESTEEM AND ALWAYS ACTIVE IN CIVIC AFFAIRS. ILL HEALTH BELIEVED TO BE CAUSE. RESIDENT OF COUNTY 48 YEARS.

PROMINENT IN DEM. CIRCLES

John D. Eakin, well known pioneer resident of Washington county for 48 years, committed suicide by shooting himself through the head with a .410 gauge shotgun some time during Friday night. His lifeless body was found by his granddaughter, Miss Lora Eakin, about 6 o'clock Saturday morning.

Mr. Eakin had been in failing health for the last few years and it is believed that worry over his condition caused the act. For the last few weeks he had been subject to despondent spells and for several days had been discussing his business affairs.

Mrs. Eakin and the granddaughter heard no report of the gunshot. Mr. Eakin retired Friday evening apparently in his usual spirits and said nothing that caused any suspicion that he was contemplating such an act.

A native of Washington county, Virginia, where he was born May 13, 1852, Mr. Eakin was married to Miss Florence Buss at Alvord, Va., Jan. 22, 1874. Six years later they came to Nebraska and located on a farm on Bell creek north of Arlington where they made their home until 15 years ago when they retired and came to Arlington.

Mr. Eakin was a prominent Democrat and until about a year ago always took an active part in civic affairs. He was a familiar sight at the Arlington depot where he went to see the trains arrive and depart. No discussion of the topics of the day about town was complete without him.

The widow, six sons and two daughters, the close surviving relatives. The children are B.H., and S. B., Long Beach, Calif.; W. B., Hudson,Ohio; A.D., Hydro, Okla.; F. C., Willard, Colo.; and H.M., Burlington , Wash.; Mrs. Will Osterman, Jr., and Mrs. Will Cook, Arlington.

Funeral services were held in Arlington on Monday afternoon at two o'clock at the Congregational church, being conducted by Rev. J.E. Aeschbacher. The floral offerings were profuse and beautiful and a large concourse of friends were present to pay their last tribute of respect.

Interment was made in the Arlington cemetery where the Masonic order were in charge.

~~~ Obituaries courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~

Note: death date from tombstone