DUNHAM, Franklin Washburn 1859-1894

DUNHAM, SULLIVAN, ADAMS, SHEAR

Posted By: Diane M Scott (email)
Date: 2/24/2015 at 14:52:01

Franklin Washburn Dunham – November 25, 1859 – August 6, 1894

DEATH IN A WELL

Frank Dunham was a young married man who lived at Superior and followed the business of boring wells.

Last Monday while sinking a well on the “Orphans Home” farm of Daniel Pierce, six miles west of Estherville, he had occasion to lower a lighted lantern into the well he was digging. When the lantern reached the depth of twelve feet it suddenly went out.

Mr. Dunham asked his assistant to let him down with a rope that he might investigate. Mr. Dunham seized the rope and was lowered into the well by the aid of the windlass. Before he had descended many feet he shouted to the man at the top to raise him up but the deadly gas called choke damps which was in the well, so quickly overcame him that he lost his hold and died immediately.

Mr. Dunham was an industrious man and leaves a young wife and three children, the youngest of which is only one week old, to mourn his death.

The came from Nora Springs here and the remains were sent to that place for burial.

The Northern Vindicator, August 9, 1894, page 5
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Franklin was born November 25, 1859 in Southington, Hartford County, Connecticut. In 1883 he married Jennie Amelia Sullivan in Nora Springs, IA, the daughter of Alexander Sullivan and Mary (Adams) Sullivan. They had 4 sons, Frank Alexander; Fred; Harry; and Parker G.
After Franklin Dunhams death Jennie married Wilbur Shear.