Dowden, John 1829 - 1895

DOWDEN, GONDY

Posted By: Barbara Hug (email)
Date: 2/5/2003 at 20:53:42

Gone to His Eternal Home
“There is a home up there for me.”

John Dowden – an old and greatly respected citizen of this county died at his home in Baxter, Sunday, November 29, 1895, of consumption.

Mr. Dowden was born in Harrison County, Ohio, June 26, 1829. July 5th, 1849, he was united in marriage to Nancy A. Gondy. In 1856 he moved to Iowa and for twenty-six years had been a resident of Jasper County. He was the father of eight children, all of whom are living. Five of the children were with him when he died. They were John F. Dowden, of Missouri; M. F. Dowden, of Baxter; Mrs. Alsbaugh, of Baxter; Mrs. Charley Kreager, of Newton and Mrs. D. L. Fair, of Nebraska. Those absent were Joseph and James A. Dowden, of Missouri and Mrs. S. J. Fair, of Nebraska.

The funeral services were held in the Christian Church in Baxter, Sunday, December 1, at 11 o’clock, conducted by Rev. Lorence of Des Moines. Rev. Lorence was at Mr. Dowden’s bedside most of the time for two days before his death, administering to him spiritual comfort. The floral offerings were beautiful and the church was nicely decorated by kind friends. The edifice was filled to its utmost capacity by those who wished to show respect they felt for the deceased. The body was tenderly laid to rest in the Baxter Cemetery and the grave decorated with evergreens.

Mr. Dowden was baptized in the Christian Church at the age of nineteen and at the time of his death was an elder in the church at Baxter. He was one of its first members. The wife and children of the departed have the tenderest sympathy of the whole community in their sad bereavement. ~ The Newton Record, Friday, December 6, 1895, Page 1, Column 4