DeFrance, David Calahan (1832-1916)

DEFRANCE, OLMSTEAD, VANCE, WILHELM, KIMMEL, MOYER, HAHNE

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 11/1/2023 at 15:05:42

Daily Freeman Tribune
Webster City, Iowa
Monday, February 7, 1916

ANOTHER OLD SETTLER CALLED

D.C. DeFrance Obeys Final Summons - Dies at the Home of His Daughter, Mrs. Dan Kimmel

CAME HERE OVER 50 YEARS AGO

Removed From Farm to This City Twelve Years Ago - Past 83 Years of Age

D.C. DeFrance passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Dan Kimmel, Saturday night at 10:20 o'clock following a six weeks illness with heart trouble, hardening of the arteries and other ailments incident to old age.

Daniel Calahan DeFrance was born June 11, 1832 in Pennsylvania and made his home in that state until after he was married. He and Mrs. DeFrance were united in marriage in Lycoming county, and came to this county over fifty years ago. They moved to this city from their farm southwest of town some twelve years ago and have resided here since.

Since early manhood the deceased had been a faithful member of the Christian church. A wife and ten children are left to mourn the passing of a kind husband and father. The sons and daughters are J.F. DeFrance, Spirit Lake; S.I., Livingston, Montana; C.H. DeFrance, Louisville, Minn.; Mrs. C.E. Olmstead, Norcross, Minn.; Mrs. Wesley Vance, Mallard, Mrs. A.L. Wilhelm, Dows; W.J. and C.J., George DeFrance and Mrs. Dan Kimmel, all of this city. Of these sons and daughters all will be present at the funeral except Mrs. Olmstead and Mrs. Wilhelm, who are unable to travel because of illness. Two brothers and a sister living in Tama county also survive Mr. DeFrance.

The funeral announcement will appear in tomorrow's issue.

Daily Freeman Tribune, Webster City, Iowa, Tuesday, February 22, 1916

Daniel C. DeFrance was born in Lycoming county, Penn., in the year 1832. He was married to Miss Mary Moyer in 1861 and to this union were born seven sons and five daughters. The DeFrance family moved west in 1865, settling first in Tama county, but in 1869 removed to Hamilton county where they have since resided continuously, with the exception of five years in Wright county.

Mr. DeFrance united with the Christian church in 1884 and continued in the Christian faith until the hour of his death. He was of a kind and generous nature, always ready to give a helping hand where needed and was loved and respected by all who knew him.

He leaves to mourn his passing a wife and ten children. The children are: J.F. DeFrance of Spirit Lake, W.J., C.J. and G.S. DeFrance and Mrs. Dan Kimmel, all of Webster City; Mrs. A.L. Wilhelm, Dows, Mrs. C.E. Olmstead, Norcross, Minn.; Mrs. Wesley Vance, Mallard, S.I. DeFrance, Livingston, Mont., and C.H. DeFrance, Lewisville, Minn. Two children, David DeFrance and Mrs. William Hahne preceded him to the great beyond.

The three sons and daughter who reside in Webster City were constantly at his bedside ministering to his wants and everything that loving hearts and willing hands could do was done to make his last days pleasant and comfortable.