Joseph B. Dunham Sr. 1835-1906

DUNHAM, BRIDGES, SMITH

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 10/23/2017 at 09:14:26

Sudden Death of J. B. Dunham Sr.

J. B. Dunham Sr., the veteran postmaster at Almoral and for more than a half a century a resident of Delaware county, died suddenly at his home on the morning of the Fourth at eleven o'clock of heart failure. The funeral was held from the family home at Almoral last (Friday) afternoon at 2:00 o'clock and the interment was made in the Earlville cemetery. Rev. A. B. Keeler of the Congregational churches of Earlville and Almoral was the officiating clergyman.

The death of Mr. Dunham came with great suddenness. He appeared in his usual health yesterday morning, and was engaged in work at his home. Preparation had been made for a neighborhood celebration of the Fourth at Almoral, and the address of the day was to be given by Senator G. W. Dunham of this city, a nephew of Mr. Dunham. Senator Dunham arrived at the home of his uncle a few minutes before eleven o'clock, and soon after started for the grounds in company with the ladies of the family, his uncle saying he would follow them shortly. On the way from the house, attention was called to the form of a man lying under one of the trees in the yard, and Senator Dunham, upon investigation, discovered it to be that of his uncle, with whom he had been conversing but a few minutes before. Mr. Dunham was dead when found, having succumbed to heart failure.

Joseph Bicknel Dunham was born at Bakersfield, Vermont, May 3rd, 1835, and came to Iowa in 1855. He first located on Bowen's Prairie, in the southern part of the county, but in the fall of 1856,in company with a colony of eastern people, he removed to what is now Almoral, which has ever since been his home. He was married in Ohio in September 23, 1863 to Miss Lucy Bridges, who with four children survives him. The children are J. B. Dunham Jr. and Frank H. Dunham of Oneida, this county, Mrs. Mertie D. Smith of Minneapolis, and Miss Ethel Dunham of the Homesopathic hospital at Iowa City, all of whom were present at the funeral.

Mr. Dunham had occupied for years a position of unsought prominence in the affairs of the community in which he lived. He had held many positions of trust in his township, always with credit and signal integrity of purpose. As a member of the Congregational church he sustained it by his life, his active endeavor and his means. Our older people will recall that it was he who organised the Almoral band, years ago, as organized so conspicuous for excellence as to attain a reputation which extended over the state.

Manchester friends of Mr. Dunham and they are many, are grieved beyond measure to learn of his death -Manchester Press

Manchester Democrat, Manchester, Iowa July 11, 1906