Dunning, Theodore 1839 - 1909

DUNNING, HARRINGTON, SHELDON, HUENE

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 8/28/2021 at 23:13:49

Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 23 Sept. 1909. Strawberry Point column.

The many friends of Mr. T. Dunning were pained to learn on Saturday morning of his death which occurred about 9:00 o'clock. For some time Mr. Dunning has been confined to his home, and about three weeks ago took to his bed. During the last several days he has been failing fast and the end had been expected at any moment. Only last summer he went to Battle Creek, Mich., where he took treatment in the sanitarium at that city, and upon his return his many friends had hoped he had been cured of his ailment, but shortly after he began failing and has since been, which only ended last Saturday when death claimed its victim.

Mr. Dunning was prominent in business circles, was president of the Arlington State Bank, having been elected to that office in January, 1898, which office he held at his death. He was also vice president of the Strawberry Point State Bank. He will be missed by everyone who join in extending the heartiest sympathy to the bereaved family.

He was buried under Masonic honors on Monday, Sept. 13, of which order he was a true and faithful member. About sixty of the order turning out to pay their last tributes to him.

Theodore Dunning was born in Wyoming county, N.Y., June 2nd, 1839, aged 70 years, 3 months and 9 days.

His boyhood days were spent in the land of his birth, which he left in 1862, when 23 years of age. His first settlement was upon a small parcel of wild land south of strawberry Point, which he broke and brought into cultivation, and otherwise improved; his team, a yoke of slow-going oxen. He began his business life in Strawberry Point in the early 60s, opening a market, which was perhaps the first in the village. Here he has resided, ever since, and has been actively identified with the business of the country for more than 40 years.

Mr. Dunning was married to Abagail Sophia Harrington about the year 1871, She died April 3rd, 1875, without issue. He was married to Mattie Belle Cooper in Loraine Co., Ohio, June 17, 1880. Three children were born to them, Mrs. Addie Sheldon, of Strawberry Point; Mrs. Harry Huene, of Forsythe, Montana; and William O. Dunning, of Strawberry Point.

Mr. Dunning was a man of genial humor, delightfully companionable when his friendships were established. In those friendships there was little of vascillation, but they were characterized by constancy and firmness. In the presence of need and want among his fellows, his hand was ever open for their relief, without announcement and often without knowledge of those whose necessities were relieved. His business life was marked with activity and industry, always honorable and true to every word or promise. This was perhaps the one pride of his business life. Those who were associated with him most closely , knew best of his kindness of heart and his forbearance toward those who were trying to meet obligations assumed. Owing to this commendable trait of character, he was almost a stranger in the courts of law. In his family life, his kindly disposition was manifest even to the verge of indulgence. An affectionate husband and loving father, his memory will be cherished by those who were nearest his heart.

He was entered as an apprentice in Masonic fraternity Dec. 5th, 1865, and raised to the degree of a master-mason May 12th, 18__. This fraternal relation remained unbroken during the past 43 years.

He had been in failing health some months, and when the final hour came, it was met with calmness and resignation. He passed over as he said to the writer, "without a pain and without a fear."

So closes a life of strenuous activity among us. We will cherish his memory, remembering with satisfaction his manly virtues, forgetting the frailties and mistakes of one who like ourselves was only human. Let him rest in peace.