Edward Dawson 1822-1904

DAWSON, BIGGS, FEARNS

Posted By: Leslie Vaughn (email)
Date: 6/26/2002 at 20:18:50

"OLD AGE AND DEATH MET ON THE BORDERLAND

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Another of our Aged and Respected Citizens Obey the Imperative Summons and Succumbs to the immutable Laws of Nature

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The angel of Death which for some time has been hovering over the Dawson home in this city has touched the father's brow and called him home to his Fathers. For a long time deceased had been in delicate health owing to a failing heart, and the relatives and friends had been watching the heroic struggle with deep anxiety, but finally human nature could endure no more and the patient sufferer passed away at his home at 12 m. Saturday, October 8 1904. The funeral services were held at the residence, 723 Walnut Street, Monday, Oct 10, at 9 o'clock a.m. Rev. Lewis Biggs officiating. The remains were taken on the 10:40 train over the Illinois Central to Parkersburg and the remains were reverently laid away in the New Albion Cemetery beside the wife, sons, and a brother who had gone before.

Edward Dawson was born at Coddington, England, near Newark on Trent, Nottinghamshire. At the age of 22, in the latter part of May 1844, he sailed from Dull for the United States, being seven weeks and three days on the voyage landing at Quebec. He sailed up the St. Lawrence to Montreal and going to Kingston, Toronto, Niagara Falls, Buffalo and Cleveland then by team to Trumball County Ohio living in Ohio for about 11 years where he married Catherine Fearns on May 26 1850. In 1856 he moved to Butler County, Iowa where he resided for a period of 40 years, coming to Cedar Falls in 1896. He was the father of 8 children, five of whom are living as follows:

Edward Dawson, of Waverly, now railroad commissioner and a practicing attorney

William Dawson, of Parkersburg, a stock raiser and buyer and at present a county commissioner.

Geo. W. Dawson, a practicing attorney of Waterloo, formerly county attorney of this county.

Fletcher Dawson residing at the parental home

Margaret Dawson, the only living daughter, also residing at the parental home cheering the last days of the aged father and looking after his comfort as only a faithful loving daughter could, sacrificing all in a successful attempt to bring the genial warmth of sunshine into the declining years of a worthy parent.

Deceased was baptized and confirmed in the Episcopal Church in England at the age of 14 years. He led a quiet though industrious life never seeking political honors, though receiving numerous marks of public esteem and confidence. To him the golden rule was more than a mere sentiment and was put to practical use. He was a man of marked integrity with a strong individuality, he met a crisis calmly and never sought to shirk a responsibility; as he lived so he died, strong in his faith, loving humanity and respected and honored by all who knew him. He bore his afflictions with a fortitude that indicated fearlessness and calmly smiled at the death angel as it hovered about his couch, cheerful, loving and considerate to the last. A good man has gone to his reward."