Photos from the life of Charles “Dewey” Stookey 1899-1977
January 11, 2019
Charles “Dewey” Stookey was born in Oklahoma (formerly known as “Indian Territory”) in 1899 to Melvin Lee and Laura Ann (Harris) Stookey. His childhood was filled with sadness as most of his family died from sickness and disease before 1910. Only three of Dewey’s twelve siblings lived to adulthood, married and had families.
This is the only photo I have of Dewey’s mother, Laura Ann (in the doorway) and older brother Alvin (taken in 1904.) Alvin died only weeks after this photo was taken of Typhoid and Laura Ann died in 1906, when Dewey was only 6, of consumption (tuberculosis.).
Dewey’s father, Melvin Lee Stookey, remarried widow Martha Dilbeck about 6 months after Laura Ann’s death. Melvin died in 1908.
After the death of both parents the surviving Stookey siblings Harrison, William, Eddie, Dewey, and Leona lived with their older brother Jacob and his wife Viola. Dewey’s brothers Harrison and Eddie both died in 1910.
Eddie Stookey and younger brother Dewey Stookey abt. 1909. Eddie died not long after this photo was taken (his death was a few days before his 14th birthday.)
On December 7, 1920 Dewey married Cora Shull in Nowata, Oklahoma and the couple went on to have six children.
The Stookey family from left to right: Charles, Opal, Arvona, mother Cora, Donald, father (Charles) Dewey, Robert, Alvin
Dewey managed an oil field in Alluwe, Oklahoma and the family lived in a house provided by the oil company.
Dewey at work in the oil field.
Dewey with daughter Opal (Stookey) Stierwalt and granddaughters Sharon and Linda in the early 1950’s.
In 1970 Dewey and Cora celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
Cora and Dewey Stookey
Cora died in Nowata in 1974 and Dewey passed away in 1977 at the age of 77.
Click on the link above to learn more about Dewey on his Ancestry profile.
Angela C Luster
March 29, 2022My great grandfather was Jacob Stookey.
I’m thrilled to see these pics and hear about his brother’s life. Thank you so much for sharing!