DEXTER, H. T. 1841-1932

DEXTER, LESTER, JOHNSON, SMITH, HANSON, BETSCH

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 6/8/2014 at 01:52:27

[Nashua Reporter, Wednesday, August 31, 1932, Nashua, Iowa]

H. T. DEXTER CALLED TO REST AFTER LONG ILLNESS

Ninety-Year-Old Resident, One-Time Mayor and Justice of Peace, Died Monday

After eight weeks of illness, during which he was confined to his bed, H. T. Dexter fell into his last long sleep on Monday, Aug. 29, 1932, at about 11 o'clock a.m., at the home of his eldest daughter, Mrs. C. L. Johnson.

His had been a busy and a useful life, and even a year ago, at the advanced age of 89 years, he was still agent for the First Fire Insurance Company of New York, and able to transact their business in this locality.

Thompson Hubbard Dexter was born at Fredericktown, Ohio, on Dec. 8, 1841. When about 12 years of age, in 1853, he came with his parents to pioneer in the west. The family first settled in Wisconsin, where he grew to young manhood and then he came further west with the Richard Lester family and settled on a farm near the Wapsie, where they afterward bought a whole section of land for only $14.00.

On Jan. 3, 1864, he was united in marriage with Mary Ann Lester, at New Hampton, Iowa, and later they came to Nashua to make their home. Their companionship lasted for sixty-two years until death claimed her life in 1921.

Mr. Dexter held many positions of trust during his residence of fifty-seven years in our community.

He was engaged in the meat market business for twenty-four years, and was agent for the First American Fire Insurance Company of New York for 36 years, having received from them a gold medal after 33 years of faithful service.

For 13 years he was assessor for this township, for 35 years he was Justice of the Peace, and at one time he was deputy sheriff. For two terms he was elected as mayor of Nashua, which office he filled in a credible manner.

He and his wife were permitted to celebrate their Golden Wedding, surrounded by their children and grandchildren in the year 1915. Since the death of his companion in 1921, he had made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Johnson, where death claimed him.

Besides Mrs. May Johnson, he is survived by the following children: Mrs. Louise Smith and Mrs. Nellie Getsch of Minneapolis; Mrs. Marie Hanson of Peoria, Ill., and C. R. Dexter, all of whom were with him for several weeks to administer to his comforts and needs.

The funeral will be held at the Johnson home today, Wednesday, Aug. 31, at 2 p.m., Rev. Wm. H. Kent, pastor of his church officiating, and the body will be lad to rest near loved ones in Oak Hill Cemetery.