Jennings, David 1824-1896

JENNINGS, BRENAMAN, KELLEY

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 2/23/2019 at 12:20:40

Obituary ~ David "Dave" Jennings
January 23, 1824 ~ September 20, 1896

Decatur County Journal
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa
October 01 1896

GRAND RIVER, IA., Sept. 20, 1896: Died, at the home of his son-in-law, BLAIR BRENAMAN, in Richland Township, DAVID JENNINGS, aged 72 years. The above announces the passing away of an old and well known citizen of this town and vicinity. DAVID JENNINGS was born in Portage County, Ohio, January 23, 1824, where he spent his boyhood and youth. On the 4th of June, 1887, he was stricken with paralysis, since which time he had been an invalid but had only been confined to his house the last few months of his life.

At the early age of 15 he was left, by the death of his father, the virtual head of a family consisting of his mother and several brothers and sisters, some of them mere children. So he was forced to rely upon the poor and inadequate common schools of that day as the only means to obtain the rudiments of an education. In April, 1852, he was married to MISS ALVINA KELLEY, of Streetsborough, Ohio, and a few weeks after they came west. They first came to Knox County, Ill., where they remained a few months and then came to Iowa and settled in Mt. Pleasant. Here they resided about twenty years. They then moved to Osceola, where they resided a few years and then located on a farm which deceased purchased south of this place and which he owned at the time of his death. His wife died in the spring of l894. Eight children were born to them, two of whom died in infancy. Four of them live in Blue Mound, Kansas--EDWARD K., BRITTON E., ARTHUR and DAVID W. They are the most prominent business men of the place. DAVID A. resides on his farm in Ringgold County and MARY, the only daughter, is the wife of BLAIR BRENAMAN, a prominent farmer residing near this place.

When a young man, deceased received an injury to his back while crossing Lake Erie in a storm, and as a result he was unable to perform many kinds of manual labor and was compelled to seek light employment. In this way he came into the employ of Cole Bros., of Mt. Pleasant, dealers in lightning rods. He continued in their employ for twenty years and became one of their most successful salesmen. In the prosecution of his business he traveled extensively in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and other states. Wherever the homesteader built his pioneer cabin there UNCLE DAVE, as he was familiarly called, went with his mules and wagon and generally left a rod on the aforesaid cabin. His acquaintance was extensive in almost every hamlet in the states above mentioned. He had a genial and social nature, fond of family and friends and humane and kind to all. The one in trouble could always depend on him for sympathy and encouragement. No one in need was ever turned from his door. No one can point to his grave and say he ever done him an injury. He was always foremost in advancing the best interests of this community, especially in improving the facilities for the education of the young. Our public schools were closed on the occasion of his funeral which was attended by teachers and pupils as a mark of respect for his memory.

His funeral occurred September 22nd and was largely attended. The services were conducted by REV. EATON, Pastor of the Baptist Church, of which the deceased had been a member for many years. Although an invalid for several years he always maintained his interest in passing events.

During the war he was an ardent patriot but could find no mustering officer who would accept him for service. His extensive travels and varied experiences made him a most entertaining companion. He had a fund of anecdotes and reminiscences which he related in his own inimitable way. His acquaintances and friends were scattered over several states and many a heart will be sore when it is known that generaous, big hearted, UNCLE DAVE is no more.

~ H.C.J.

[Interment was made at Oak Hill Cemetery, rural Grand River, Iowa.]

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