Charles N. Haskell - Later Life and Legacy

Later Life and Legacy

Though out of office, Haskell never left the politics of Oklahoma far from his mind. He entered the oil business following his exit from the Governorship, a profession he would stay in until the end of his life and would earn him a considerable fortune. In 1933, Haskell suffered a major stroke, from which he would never recover. Three months later Haskell would die from pneumonia. Like Thomas Jefferson and John Adams before him, Haskell’s last conscious thought occurred on the Fourth of July. Haskell slipped from consciousness and later died the next day, July 5, in the Skirvin Hotel in Oklahoma City at the age of 73. He would be buried in Muskogee, the city he adopted and loved so much, at Green Hill Cemetery.

Throughout his administration as Governor, Haskell’s practical mind, intuitive knowledge of the law and his insight into what the law should be enabled him to discern the underlying principles of any issue. Though firmly a Democrat, Haskell found the middle ground and usually brought the belligerent partisan forces and rival interests into friendly agreement. Charles Haskell Elementary in Edmond, Oklahoma, and Charles N. Haskell Middle School in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma are named in honor his honor. Haskell County, Oklahoma is also named for him.

In 2007, Oklahoma celebrated 100 years of statehood. Many descendants of Charles Nathaniel Haskell were in attendance.