Dickens, Edward Glover 'Ned' 1815-1894

DICKENS, VAN SICKLE, JENNINGS, LUCE, ELLYSON, LEE, GILL

Posted By: Chuck Runneberg (email)
Date: 7/30/2007 at 23:59:45

North Iowa Times Jan. 25, 1894

Clayton County’s Earliest Pioneer Gone

Edward Glover Dickens died at his home in North McGregor Wednesday, January 17, 1894 in his 79th year. He was stricken with paralysis about one week previous, from which he died. He was conscious to the last moment, but had lost the use of almost the entire body. He had lived in Clayton County nearly 60 years, and was one of the very first settlers.

Mr. Dickens was born near Elmwood,Smith County, Tennessee on July 15, 1815. He was the son of John Dickens. His mother died when he was an infant and he was raised by a neighbor who moved to Illinois and took Edward with them. Edward cme to Iowa in 1832.

He is survived by his wife Mrs. Ann Drusilla Van Sickle Dickens, and sons; William Dickens of Lansing, Ia., Lucius Dickens of Lansing Kansas, Robert Dickens of North McGregor, J. Wesley Dickens who resides in Oregon, C. Clayton Dickens of North McGregor, and daughters; Mrs. Larry Jennings , and Mrs. Ellyson of North McGregor, Mrs, C.A. Luce and Mrs. Lee of Republican City Neb., Mrs Gill of Sibley, Ia., and Miss Mary Dickens still at home.

Proceeding him in death were His son M. Edward Dickens and a step son Henry Harding who was killed in the Civil War. The children were all present except the two sons in Oregon and Kansas

The funeral took place on Friday Jan. 19th, and was largely attended. Devotional exercises were conducted both at the residence and the hall by Rev. Marsha. A fitting tribute to his memory was delivered by Judge Murdock, which will be found in full in this issue of The Times.

“Uncle Ned” as he was familiarly called is no more. He saw Clayton County in her primeval beauty, and watched her progress to a rich and populous county. The scenes of grandeur he must have witnessed in his tramps through forest and glen. He loved the solitude of the forest and was happy and content with but jest enough of this worlds goods to meet natures demands. He sought no public office, neither did he seek to pile up earthly stores. We knew and respected him as we believe all did who knew him.

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Added by S. Ferrall 10/22/2014:

Ned Dickens, who built the first log cabin in this county some fifty-seven years ago, died at his home near North McGregor, on the 17th, aged 79 years.

The funeral was held on Friday and was attended by a large concourse of friends. Judge Murdock delivered an address over the remains of his old friend.

~Elkader Register, January 25, 1894

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We see it stated that Hon. Samuel Murdock preached the funeral sermon of Edward Dickens, a pioneer who had resided in the state 65 years.
~Postville Review, January 27, 1894

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Notes: Burial is in Council Hill cemetery. He served in Co. A, IL Inf. during the Black Hawk war.