PIONEER CITIZEN SUCCUMBS
AFTER A BRIEF ILLNESS

Lafayette Talkington was born in Jennings County, Indiana, May 27, 1850, passed away at his home in Verden Oklahoma, November, 17, 1938, at the age of 88 years, 5 months and 20 days.

He grew to young manhood in Appanoose County, Iowa, and was united in marriage to Maria Baldwin in the year of 1871, and to this union were born three children, W. H. Talkington. now of Hydro, Mrs. Allie VanBenthusen, of Seymour, Iowa, and S. E. Talkington of Verden.

He left Iowa for Nebraska in 1873 where he and his brother-in-law were the first white settlers, in what is now known as Hitchcock, County, Nebraska, which was eighteen
miles west of any other settlement.

Later they moved to Kansas, and while there in the year of 1886, his wife passed away. He remarried in 1889 to Jane Seapy and to this union were born eleven children, four having preceded him in death.

In 1891 he came to Stroud, Okla and lived there until 1902, when he moved to a farm north of Verden, then in 1918 he moved into town where he has lived until the time of his death.

He was converted when he was a boy in Iowa and after moving to Verden united with the Christian Church.

Grandpa Talkington, as he was commonly known around Verden, loved and respected by everyone.

He was one of the old pioneers of the west and took great pride in telling of his experiences. He was ever ready and willing to render assistance to all who needed him, always thinking of the comfort of others.

His was a heart of gold. He was a loving husband, a kind and indulgent father.

Realizing that the end was near, he made the statement that he felt he had lived a usefull life and wanted to be sure that nothing had been left undone for he was prepared to meet his maker.

He was active until a few days before his death.

Surviving members of his family are his wife, Mrs. Jane Talkington, sons and daughters: W. H. Talkington of Hydro; Mr. Allie VaBenthusen of Seymour; S. E. Talkington, Fred Talkington, Mrs. Susie Frick, Jess Talkington, Mrs. Cora Fowler, Mrs. Inez Smith, Mildred Talkington, all of Verden, and Mrs. Rose Dodson of Oklahoma City.

Twenty-eight grandchildren. 21 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild Bobble Miller, of Hydro of whom he was very proud; one sister, Mrs. Kate Elgin of Centerville, Iowa; three brothers Ott and Jess Talkington of Craig, Colo, George Talkington of Hoxie, Kansas; also a host of other relatives and friends.

(Published in The Centerville Daily Iowegian & Citizen, December 12, 1938)
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