Jesse Rooker Sr. (1798 - 1899)

Born 7 May 1798 in England

Ancestors

Died 7 Aug 1899 at age 101 in Pithole City, Venango, Pennsylvania, United States

Biography

Jesse was born in 1798. He was the son of Joseph Rooker. He passed away in 1899.

Neighborhood News - Pleasantville, Aug 25 - We believe we have the oldest man in our county here. Jesse Rooker was 100 years old on May 7, 1898.^[1]

OVER 100 YEARS OLD - Death of Jesse Rooker of Pleasantville, Which Occurred Monday - Pleasantville, Aug 7 - Jesse Rooker died at the home of his son, James Rooker, in this place this afternoon at 3:30 o'clock. Old age was the cause of death. Jesse Rooker was born in England and came to this country when very small. He lived for many years in White Hall, Vermont. Mr Rooker could remember plainly the war of 1812 and the battle of Lake Champlain. The only record of his age known is what he told himself that he was 11 years old at the time of the war of 1812. Mr Rooker lived in Pithole at the time of the oil excitement there and made and lost a great deal of money at that time. He has been living for a great many years with his son James Rooker in this place. Mr Rooker raised a large family of children of whom the following survive him: Mrs Philine Babcock, of Cleveland, O; Mrs James Gridley, of Sturgis, Mich; Mrs Caroline Waite, of Stockton, NY; Nelson Rooker, of Ostego, Mich; Jesse Rooker, of this...[one line seems to be missing here]...ville, O; and James Rooker, of this place. Mr Rooker was considered to be the oldest man in Venango county. Funeral announcement later.^[2]

Brevities - The funeral of Jesse Rooker, who died Monday in Pleasantville, will be held at the home of his son, James Rooker, this morning at 9 o'clock. The Rev Mr McIntyre will conduct the services and the interment will be in Pithole cemetery.^[3]

Old Pithole Cemetery - Helen J Morrison - Special to the Herald - Pleasantville, Oct 13 - Down along Pithole creek below the stone arch bridge in a secluded little nook, protected by the thorn trees approached by a low marshy carpet of softest moss and wild grass, lies the little burial plot of early settlers of Pithole. The graves are few, and aside from those of the Helmdon and Jesse Rooker families, which are securely fenced in, are pitifully neglected and in a few more years will be entirely obliterated unless steps are taken to preserve them. Each stone marks a tragedy, apparently, so short are the records of the lives of almost every one interred. To many readers of this column, the names will recall to mind incidents and circumstances long since forgotten. Inside the substantial fence, which is very badly rusted, and will eventually fall to decay unless cared for, is the large and well-chosen monument of the Holmdon family, but the small scroll bearing the record has been obliterated by the years of weathering. Smaller markers alongside read George W, son of Walter and Philena Holmdon, died 1852, aged 2 years.

Another reads John A Holmdon, died 1854, aged 28 years and below is inscribed: 'Farewell, my wife and children all, From you a father, Christ doth call, Mourn not for me, as it is in vain, To call me to your sight again.' On a little column-like stone, scarcely a foot high, is the inscription, Ann, daughter of John A and Betsy Holmdon, died 1851, and on another, Walter R Holmdon, died 1861, aged 12 years. This is all of the markers to the Holmdon family, but within the inclosure is Lusannah, wife of Jesse Rooker, born 1802, died 1862. Another marks the grave of little Mary, daughter of J R and F M Rooker, no date being discernable on this stone. Outside the inclosure and with most of the markers fallen, are the following: Francis G Deyo, died 1867, aged 34; Fanny M, daughter of C and B E Stockley, died 1872, aged 9 years; Robert C Grove, died Feb 16, 1859, aged 20 years; Clementine, daughter of P and Nancy McKissick, died 1851, aged 4 months, and Elizabeth, daughter of Putnam and Nancy McKissick, died 1850, aged 11 months; Ida M Ball, died 1864, aged 21 years; Sophronia, daughter of C M and C E Ball, died 1852, aged 8 years; Sarah J, died 1850, aged 10 years, on Sept 22, and Elizabeth M, died 1850, aged 1 year, on Sept 15, daughter of Clinton M and Cynthia E Ball. By this record it will be noted that this family lost four daughters, the last two named evidently by epidemics that swept the country in the early 50's. This is all, and recent marks show where two graves have been opened, the remains doubtless having been removed to other places. Their (sic) is no burial ground near the Pithole church and it seems strange that of the once large city situated there, that there had not been some sort of more extensive burial ground established nearby. No doubt the city came and went so quickly, and those who answered the summons, while living there, were interred by loving friends elsewhere, no doubt in a more permanent and longer established 'home.'^[4]

Sources

• FindAGrave Memorial #96311438

1. ↑ Titusville Herald, Aug 26, 1898, p. 2
2. ↑ Titusville Herald, Aug 8, 1899, p. 3
3. ↑ Titusville Herald, Aug 10, 1899, p. 3
4. ↑ (Titusville Herald, Oct 14, 1922, p.4