Charles L. Dunham (1842-1929)

DUNHAM

Posted By: Debra Scott Hierlmeier (email)
Date: 11/11/2008 at 20:59:35

CHARLES L. DUNHAM 1842-1929

Charles La Forrest Dunham was born in Oneida county, New York on July 26, 1842 and died Thursday morning, May 9 (1929) at Nicholas Senn hospital, Omaha, aged 86, 9 months and 13 days. The funeral services were held at his late home Sunday afternoon, May 12, Rev Joseph M. Fleming of Viola, Illinois, a former pastor of the Congregational Church of Avoca, officiating.

Charles Dunham spent his early boyhood in New York, later he moved to Illinois. In the dark days of 1861 he heard the call of his country and enlisted in Company 129th Illinois Volunteers and served his country faithfully during the war. On the 19th day of December 1866, he was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Guernsey at Pontiac, Illinois. To this union were born three sons and one daughter: Fred E. Dunham who passed away March 5, 1910; Charles E Dunham of Woodlawn, Washington, and Bert G of Hawthorne, New York, and Mrs. Minnie Neumann of Avoca, one sister; Mrs. Henry Alden of Hiram, Ohio; 19 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren, many other relatives and friends by the scores.

At the home Sunday afternoon a large number of friends gathered to pay their last tribute of respect to one who was loved by all, one whose life among us the last half century was one of loyalty, honesty and love for his fellowman, one whose many acts of kindness and charity were known only to himself and those who received. Charlie Dunham was an asset in every way to the community. His kindly figure will be greatly missed in the neighborhood, and especially by the wife who has journeyed through more than 60 years of life by his side, who looks forward to the day when the trumpet shall sound and a glorious reunion shall take place.
“Does Jesus care when I’ve said goodbye
To the dearest on earth to me
And my sad hearth breaks till it nearly aches
Is it ought to Him, does he see?
Oh yes, He cares. I know He cares
His heart is touched with my grief
When the days are weary, the long night dreary
I know my Saviour cares.

From the Scrapbooks of Bessie Gross Gustafsen
Source: Avoca Journal Herald