Driskell - Charles A. - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Funeral services were conducted Saturday afternoon at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Jackson for Charles A Driskell pioneer resident of the valley. The rites were conducted by the Rev. ZT Vincent. Harold Kelly sang, There is a Blessed Home and The Lord’s prayer accompanied by Mrs. Jon Stainbrook at the organ.  Charles Alexander Driskell was born at Crawfordsville, Indiana on March 8, 1865.  He joined two uncles engaged in ranching and livestock raising at Henry’s Fork, Wyoming in 1889.  He taught public and private schools for 17 years, the last two years being in Wilson.  In 1896 he united in marriage to Mary Elizabeth Meeks at Mountain View, Wyoming. To this union were born 7 children: four sons, Charles, Jim and Dean who survive and one son, George who preceded him in death; one surviving daughter, Maxine and two other daughters, Marie and Marguerite, now deceased. He is also survived by his wife; two grandsons; six granddaughters; four great grandsons and one great grand daughter. They were engaged in ranching and the sawmill business until 1906 at which time they moved to Ogden, Utah with his brother George established the first moving picture theater there.  From there they went on to Rexburg to open a second theater there. They came to Jackson Hole in 1908 and homesteaded on a ranch which is now a part of the Elk Refuge.  His later years were spent at his home in Jackson where he passed away Jan 9, 1952.  To say that a man was born, grew to manhood, married and fathered a family does not in itself indicate the true measure of the man.  It was thus with Mr. Driskell. Born of sturdy stock, he chose to leave the comfort and security of the Midwest to come out to the raw frontier to engaged in the cattle business.  Later he entered the teaching profession, to serve as a guide and inspiration to youth, as many of his pupils in this neighborhood can testify.  He was a homesteader in this valley and later when footsteps grew feeble and hand trembled, he stood as a symbol of that rugged pioneer spirit that challenged the raw frontier and bent it to its bidding to make a home for themselves and their children.  Pall bearers were John Infanger, Charles Peterson, Jesse Stull, Howard Schofield, Jim McInelly and Wayne Meeks. Honorary pallbearers were Neal Rafferty and Rud Ferrin.  Burial was in the hillside cemetery in Jackson under the direction of the TJ Benson Mortuary. - thanks to Andy