Dodge, William Earnest 1873 - 1875

DODGE

Posted By: Janice Sowers (email)
Date: 3/7/2005 at 15:59:04

TIMES January 28, 1875 P8 C2

DIED

DODGE-On the 23d of Jan. 1875, at the residence of his grandparents, William Earnest Dodge, only child of W. H. and M. H. Dodge, aged 23 months and 5 days.

The following obitnary notice of little Ernie Dodge, grandchild of Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Webster, written by one who knew and loved the little boy, expresses truly and tenderly the feeling of our people, each and all of whom feel sympahty for the bereaved. It will be remembered that little Ernie took the first prize at the county fair last fall as the most beautiful boy baby.

LITTLE "ERNIE" SLEEPS
With more than common sympathy will the death of this little child appeal to the hearts of our whole community. His life, though so brief, had ever been surrounded by circumstances percularly touching. His mother in a distant asylum; his father also absent; the child of his grandparents' adoption, he lived to love and be loved. Seldom do we find one so young so universally beloved. Interesting beyond his years, joyous and generous in his character, he filed with sunshine the heart of every one who came in contact with him.
As he sang, in his child way, of the "Gates Ajar," how little we dreamed he would so soon enter in.

Not lost, but gone before. As the beauty of the lovely flower excels the planted seed, so will the bright form raised from the dust exceed the one deposited in its grave. Immortality for mortality; incorrruption for corruption.

Sleep, precious one, in your quiet grave,
Ascend, sweet spirit, to the God who gave,
And be comforted
Who mourn o'er your dear lamb.

The gentle Shepherd raised it to His breast;
"Tis mine," He said-we could not it withhold.
From hunger, thirst and hear accure 'twill rest,
Within the heavenly fold.
"Know ye my voice?" Then press with willing feet
The rugged path o'er which my glory beams;
Beyond ye shall again your darling meet,
Beside the living streams.

Second Obit:

Iowa Plain Dealer January 29, 1875, P3 C3

DIED.

DODGE--In Cresco, Iowa, January 23d 1875, WM. ERNEST, son of Wm. A. and Mary A. Dodge aged 1 year 11 months and 5 days.