American AcornsPDF page 90, printed page 82
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82 HENRY LEBBEUS OAK feel guilty if I did not devote at least a part of his means to that end and carry out his wishes to the best of my ability. His autobiography concludes : "It would be useless to deny that Mr. Oak as a result of his failures, especially as a writer, is in a sense a disappointed man, leading an embittered and unhappy life ; it is also well nigh cer- tain his unsocial qualities, his inability to gain influence over or the warm friendship of his fellow-men would have prevented any marked success in any sphere of action ; yet considering his con- dition, his radical defect of character, his long list of failures, his lack of practical business sagacity, his inherited tendency to de- spondency, his never-ending insomnia and ill health, and his lim- ited pecuniary resources, he may be regarded as surprisingly free from morbid despair; and perhaps as well contented as the aver- age of men. This is due in part to a sort of philosophic careless- ness respecting most matters, great and small, a habit of mind long cultivated in self-defense and proving in most cases an effective antidote to despondency and misanthropic views of life. If he can win no warm friendship he feels it for many; and in the later years he makes no bitter enemies. He counts on several years more of a not too burdensome life. In politics from being a Republican he has become essentially a "Mugwump," taking a deep interest, but no active part, in the broader political questions of the day. In religion he has long been a thorough Agnostic, yet in sympathy with any religious belief that helps men to be better. He has broken most of the commandments, and is sorry for it. He uses whiskey in moderation and tobacco to excess. If the Oaks of coming generations can find in his life any example to be carefully avoided they are welcome to the benefit, and his life will not have been lived altogether in vain." Mr. Oak died on May 20, 1905, in his cottage at Sieglers, being found dead on his bed, apparently having died suddenly and painlessly. His remains were cremated at the Oakland crema- tory, and his ashes rest in the columbarium of that institution. He never married. Mr. Oak was about 5 feet 10 inches in height, weighing 160 to 165 pounds, well muscled, but with no spare flesh. He had blue eyes, light wavy hair and a thick curly beard, which he generally wore full. He was quick of movement and every motion indicated force and energy. He had fine regular features ; was even handsome, a rarity in his branch of the Oaks. V The writer, the next younger brother of Henry L. Oak, after
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