DuBOIS, John Wesley 1817 - 1888

DUBOIS, DILL

Posted By: Deborah Brownfield - Stanley (email)
Date: 1/30/2005 at 23:52:02

Added by Admin, October 2021 --

"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, July 11, 1888
Page 3, Column 5

He Was Found Dead.

John W. DuBOIS, an old and well known resident of this city, was found dead in a pasture on the farm of his son, N. S. DuBOIS, about a mile north of town, Friday evening about 7 o'clock.-- He had left his home in this city in his buggy about an hour earlier to milk the cow he kept in the pasture and to cut an armful of grass to carry home. He had done the first part of the work and set the milk in the wagon. While mowing he had apparently been prostrated suddenly and without warning. When found by his son Nat, whose wife had become alarmed because of the unusual length of time the horse stood in the pasture, the body was extended full length on the ground, the face resting on the scythe, and death had doubtless come quietly and painlessly, for the features were in repose and there were no indications of a struggle. Mr. DuBOIS had been troubled for many years with attacks of heart disease, some of them very severe and endangering his life. An inquest was held on the body by Coroner Evans, the jury consisting of Messrs. John T. Booth, Thomas R Howlett and William S Hammond.-- The facts brought out were about as stated above, Dr. Worthington testifying to indications of the weakening of the system by intense heat and over exertion. The verdict was that death had resulted from heart disease and sunstroke.

Mr. DuBOIS was in the 71st year of his age. He was born in New York City, was descended from a family of French-Huguenots, and always took great pride in his ancestry, which he could trace back to the year 1050. He came to Illinois in 1839, and in February, 1840, was married to Elizabeth DILL, who died seven years ago on the same day of the month as her husband, and whose remains were interred on the same day and at the same hour. In 1842 Mr. DuBOIS removed to this county, entering what is known as the Heron farm west of town, and four years later removed to the old home farm near the fair grounds. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. DuBOIS, seven of whom, five sons and two daughters, are now living, all but one residing in this county. In 1882 deceased was married a second time, to Miss Jennie DuBOIS, of Atchison, Kansas, who survives him.

During his residence of nearly half a century here Mr. DuBOIS had formed a wide acquaintance throughout the county and in southeastern Iowa. While engaged in farming much of the time he was also an extensive dealer in and breeder of live stock, and had been very successful in all branches of business in which he embarked. He was a man of excellent mind, and was possessed of considerable literary taste and a wide range of reading. During his life he had been a frequent contributor to his county papers, and had written many articles of merit. He was a man of excellent habits, straightforward and honest in all his dealings with his fellow men, a citizen of the best type. His sudden death was a great shock to the community in which he had dwelt so long, and the members of the family which is now so severely afflicted will have the sympathies of many friends. The funeral occurred Sabbath morning at 9 o'clock, the services being conducted by Dr. Magill at the family residence. The remains were interred in the Evergreen cemetery.-- The procession which followed the body to its last resting place was one of the largest ever seen in the city.

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Original posting by Deborah Brownfield-Stanley --

"Fairfield Tribune"
Wednesday, July 11, 1888
Page 3, Column 3

A GOOD MAN PASSED AWAY SUDDENLY.

General sorrow prevailed throughout our city on last Friday evening when the news spread so rapidly that the one whom we had all loved and had known so long had passed away to his home in the "Great Over Yonder." He had just been with the writer a few hours before the sad announcement--he was his tried, true friend of long years ago, and how shocked we were when the announcement was made to us: That John W. DuBOIS had passed over the great river--was no longer our associate, friend and adviser on this mundane sphere. He was with us in our door yard in the morning, chatting with us and others--spent the day at his lovely home just over the way from us. In the evening he ate his supper, repaired to the pasture-field a short distance from the city, in his carriage, and milked his cow, as was his custom morning and evening, and then picked up his scythe to cut grass for his horse and place in his carriage bring home. In doing this he fell over on the implement and expired from disease of the heart. His son's wife, who was at the house near by, became alarmed at the old gentleman's unusual stay, and called the attention of her husband who was near by, and he at once repaired to the place, and found, to his fearful sorrow, his father in the coils of the grim monster--the spirit fled--gone home. None there but the devoted, heart sorrowing and heart stricken son. Alone? No. God and angels were there, hovering over, cheering the heart of the dear devoted son over the remains of the one he loved so much, but could afford in that hour no relief. But how cheerful was it to the heart of the dear devoted son to know that God was caring for his father, and was only gathering the ripe sheaf home to join those who were waiting, yes, anxiously waiting, for the old father to lay down the mortal and put on the immortal, and go no more out forever. Jesus said: "In my father's house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you, that where I go you may come also. If it were not so I would have told you." This is cheering, most certainly must be, to the dear children of the father they miss so much. To-day he and your sainted mother are joining hands on the shores of bliss immortal. Soon you will be there. Their example, their care for their dear children, their love for their neighbors, are legacies and way marks for all to follow. In this connection we will give facts further:

John W. DuBOIS was among the early settlers of Iowa. In August, 1840, he first grazed upon what was known as the "Black Hawk Purchase." Afterward, he moved with his wife and two children into this county, arriving on the 15th of January, 1843. He was of French Huguenot descent, and often within the hearing and to the joy of the writer traced back his lineage with great and singular accuracy to the year 1050, to Gerfrodi du BOIS, who was appointed by the crown, "Grand Master of the Forests of France." He told us he had in his possession a fac simile of the original coat of arms of this ancient family. He was born in New Your City on the 10th day of October, 1817. His first wife was Elizabeth DILL, who was born in White county, Tenn., July 12, 1818, and died in 1881. By his first wife he had nine children, seven of whom survive him. In 1882 he married Miss Jennie DuBOIS, who survives him, by whom he had no issue. He passed away on the same day of the same month that his wife did, several years ago, and was buried at the same hour. He was an exemplary member of the Presbyterian church. Services were holden by his pastor, Dr. J. F. McGill, at his late home and at the grave. The large procession that followed from the late residence to his late resting place was evidence of how much the old friends and aquaintances of John Wesley DuBOIS loved and admired him. He had truly the love and friendship of all. We will all miss him. His surviving wife and children have the sympathy of the entire community. To his dear ones we say: "Don't mourn. Darling father is not dead; he lives to-day in immortal glory." He lives here in the memory of all a life well spent. A worker always for the right and at the right time and place. Ever ready to aid the sick, the needy, and all enterprises that tend to advance the greatness of our city and county. "Maple Grove," which he made, will miss him. The dear ones of this old home there will miss him here, but mother, who is over yonder, will greet him. The writer will miss him, but not long until he may greet him.

MADISON.

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Added by Admin, October 2021 --

"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, July 18, 1888
Page 2, Column 5

PROBATE OF WILL.

To all whom it may concern:

Notice is hereby given than an instrument purporting to be the last will and testament of John W. DuBOIS, sr., deceased, is now on file in the office of the Clerk of the District Court of Jefferson county, Iowa, and that Tuesday, September 25, 1888, at 9 o'clock a.m., it being the second day of September, 1888, term of said court, has been set for the proof and final hearing of the same.

Witness my hand and seal this 10th day of July, 1888

[L. S] CHAS. P. SIPPEL
3t28 Clerk of said Court.

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Lot Old.P.258 with first wife Elizabeth.