Abner Dunham 1841-1911

DUNHAM, BOYNTON, PARSONS, INGERSOLL

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 8/17/2019 at 04:46:06

Manchester Democrat, Manchester, Iowa, January 4, 1911

Abner Dunham, one of the best known citizens of Delaware county, died at his home in this city Friday evening, December 30, 1910. His illness was of but a few days duration. He had recently been on a visit to South Dakota and was taken ill there. He returned home and his condition becoming more serious, he was forced to take to his bed on Sunday of last week. Pneumonia developed and his constitution was not able to long withstand the ravages to this dread disease.

Abner Dunham was born in LaPorte Co. Indiana, Aug. 20, 1841. In 1855 he came to this county with his parents, Ferdinand and Angeline Dunham, who during their lives, were among the most honored and respected people of this county. They settled on a farm east of this city which for many years was the home of the Dunham family.

At the outbreak of the Civil war Abner enlisted in Company F. 12th Iowa Infantry. He served his country well throughout the war and his record for bravery and efficiency was the highest. He participated in many of the most important battles and suffered many hardships but the service he thus performed was looked up by him as a duty which he was pleased to have the opportunity of discharging for his country. He was in the battle at Fort Donelson and was taken prisoner during the battle of Shilo. After six months and eleven days he was paroled at Richmond, Va., and exchanged. Returning to his company he was promoted First Lieutenant and afterwards engaged in battles at Vicksburg, Spanish Fork and Blakely. He was honorable discharged at the close of the war.

On September 15, 1869 he was united in marriage with Sophronia E. Boynton, who survives her husband. To them were born five children. Florence A. preceded her father in death. The surviving children are Edith A. of this city, Ralph A. of Clark, South Dakota, Mrs. H. C. Parsons of Watertown, South Dakota, and Mrs. P. G. Ingersoll of Dunlap, Iowa.

Mr. Dunham had served the county several times in the capacity of sheriff and county recorder and is acknowledged to have been one of the best and most conscientious officers who ever served in the county. He held the office of sheriff from 1866 to 1870 and county recorder from 1894 to 1903. During his lifetime he held many other positions of trust in the community, the duties of which he invariably discharged faithfully and well.

Mr.Dunham was a member of no religious society but affiliated with the Congregational church. He was a member of the Modern Woodman of America. Abner Dunham was a man whose death was brought sorrow to many a heart. To know him was to be his friend, and if you knew him at all you knew him well. He was open and frank in all things. He had a pleasant word for everyone and enjoyed to visit with his friends. Always above board and honorable, his word was as good as his bond; and his personal integrity above reproach. He was a man who kept in touch with public affairs and was a close student of politics. He had attended many political conventions as a delegate and was widely known and influential in Grand Army circles, the affairs of which he was always active in. He was fond of his home and took his greatest pleasure in his family. He had a keen sense of patriotism and the love of his country was one of his strongest traits. The whole community mourns the death of Abner Dunham and extends sympathy to the members of the family in their great bereavement.The funeral service was held at the family home on Main street this Tuesday, afternoon at 2:00 p.m. Rev. J. F. Moore officiating. Interment was made in Oakland cemetery.