Frank Howard Dobbs 1866-1909

DOBBS, WILLIAMSON, FOSTER, BIDNELL

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 12/6/2024 at 14:45:34

The Wapello Republican, Columbus Junction, Iowa
Thursday, June 10, 1909
Page 1

Frank Howard Dobbs was born in Louisa county, Iowa, October 16, 1866, and died in Wapello, Iowa, June 1, 1909, aged 42 years, 7 months and 15 days. He was the son of Elisha and Mary C. Dobbs. He had a younger sister, Mrs. Effie McNamer, of Columbus Junction, and a younger brother, who died when six months old. His mother died when he was eight years old. He was taken by his grandmother, Mrs. Nancy E. Williamson, in whose home he grew to manhood. His father going to Arkansas, married there after some years and had son, and died there a few years ago. In 1886 his grandmother moved from Wapello to Anita, Iowa; the deceased, then a young man of twenty, went with her and attended school there.

When he became of age he entered the employ of the Majestic Range company of Saint Louis, Mo., and was a traveling salesman for them for six years. Then he was employed by an implement company of Detroit, Michigan, as their traveling salesman, until he became broken in health four years ago, when from an illness of pneumonia, he declined into consumption. He visited health resorts seeking for improvement and came back to Iowa in April, 1908, constantly becoming more seriously ill. He had made his home with his aunt, Mrs. Nancy J. Foster, here in Wapello where he remained until his death, receiving every care and attention from his aunt and her family.

He was married seven years ago to Edna Bidnell at Ithaca, N. Y., in July 1902. To them was born one child, a daughter, who died in 1907. During his absence for health his wife made her home with her mother in Ithaca, N. Y. In this time the mother, failing in health, became dependent upon her for care and she was permitted to be with her husband here in Wapello only three weeks before he died. At his own request he was permitted to make his public christian profession and received into the membership of the Methodist church in his sick room during his illness here in Wapello.

He died full of faith and trust in the Savior. He made the arrangement for his burial, choosing the pall bearers from his old schoolmates. The funeral services were conducted from the home June 2 by Rev. J. E. Newsom, assisted by Rev. W. J. Gerlach, with interment in Harrison cemetery.