Dempster, John 1846-1922

DEMPSTER

Posted By: Viv Reeves (email)
Date: 1/24/2006 at 11:03:29

From the LeMars Sentinel, December 26, 1922:

JOHN DEMPSTER DIES
WAS RESIDENT HERE FOR FORTY FIVE YEARS
EARLY SETTLER IN STANTON TOWNSHIP
Was a Native of Scotland and Came to America When a Youth
and Worked in Several States Before Coming to Iowa

John Dempster, one of the pioneer settlers of Stanton township, died on Friday at his home, 221 Second Avenue SE (incorrect--NE), LeMars. At the time of his death he was 79 (error--76) years, 1 month and 17 days old. Mr. Dempster had been in poor health for a long time, and for the past year had practically been unable to speak or hear.

John Dempster was born at Lesmahago, Scotland, on November (5), 1846, and when a youth of nineteen years of age, in 1865, came to the United States. He first located in Maryland and lived and worked subsequently in Illinois, Colorado and Utah. He came to Iowa in 1875 and lived at Fort Dodge, where he was married on April 13, 1875, to Miss Phoebe Hodgson. In 1878* they moved to Stanton township where they successfully farmed until 1913 when Mr. and Mrs. Dempster retired from farm life and came to LeMars to enjoy a well earned rest. Twelve children were born to them. They are all living, seven girls and five boys. Four of the children live in this community and the others in Nebraska and South Dakota. They were all present at the bedside of their father before he died.

In 1913 Mr. Dempster had an attack of throat trouble from which he partly recovered. The attack recurred and the cause was instrumental in bringing on the long illness which finally proved fatal.

Mr. Dempster was one of the honored men in the community in which he lived so long and was an upright and just citizen, a loving husband and father, and had many friends. While a resident of Stanton, he and his family affiliated with the Free Methodist church, of which he was a liberal supporter. Of late years he became a member of Hildreth Memorial church where the funeral was held this afternoon, Rev. J. W. Davis officiating. A large number of old friends and neighbors attended the last rites. The interment was made in the city cemetery.
(*Note--This date appears to be incorrect since the family was in the 1880 census in Webster county, Iowa.)