Annie Ridley Dana, 1858-1943

DANA, RIDLEY

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 1/28/2009 at 17:31:18

Annie J. Dana, daughter of Robert Edwin Ridley and Esther Allen Ridley, was born December 13, 1858, in Estherville, Iowa. The city of her birth was named after her mother, who was the first white woman to move into that territory which is now [Estherville] Emmet County, Iowa.

She lived at Estherville until her marriage to Milo J. Dana of Sparta on May 1, 1874. They spent one year on a farm in Iowa, after which they moved to Monroe County, Wis., and settled on a farm at Trout Falls, where they resided until the fall of 1924 when they moved to Sparta.

Three sons were born to bless this union, namely, Ralph of Warrens, Leslie of Tomah, and Joe of Sparta. Her husband preceded her in death in March, 1927 (sic) [1928].

Since 1924 she has resided with her son, J. E. Dana and family where she has always welcomed her friends and neighbors.

Besides bringing up her own family, she took into her home a young niece, Ethel Hoover, who was motherless. Ethel Hoover McMann (sic) [McMahon] now resides at Superior, Wis.

Mrs. Dana has been a life long member of the Congregational Church, and for many years was an active worker in Sunday School at Trout Falls and Sparta. She was also an active member of the W. C. T. U. until failing health prevented her from attending.

For the last eight or nine months she has been confined to her home with a lingering illness, and has so patiently and cheerfully awaited the end with Christian fortitude. always showing her gratitude for those who gave her such loving care.

In addition to the bereaved sons and their wives she leaves to mourn her passing ten grandchildren, other relatives and a host of friends. One grandson, Robert Dana, preceded her in death.

Services were held on Sunday afternoon, December 5th, [1943] at 2:00 o'clock in the First Congregational Church, with the Rev. Frank J. Wright officiating. Burial was made in the Woodlawn Cemetery.

Submitted by: Ruth M. Hackett. Source: Herald, Sparta, Wisconsin, 6 Dec 1943.