Fred E. Dunham (1870-1910)

DUNHAM

Posted By: Debra Scott Hierlmeier (email)
Date: 11/11/2008 at 21:56:41

FRED DUNHAM 1870-1910

Fred Dunham, who for over fifteen years was head clerk in the grocery department of Diederich Sons’ big Store and one of the finest and most popular young men of Avoca died Saturday morning, March 5 (1910) at his home in the north part of Avoca, of complications resulting from a severe attack of typhoid fever.

Fred Dunham had been in the employ of Diederich Sons; store for the past fifteen years, he had decided to resign march 1, and take up other duties that would enable him to be out of doors more. About three weeks ago he was taken sick, but nothing serious was thought of his condition, until about three weeks ago when he had a slight attack of paralysis and his condition gradually grew worse until Saturday morning when death took from our midst one of our best young men, a kind and faithful husband, father, and loving son.

The word that Fred Dunham had passed away spread Saturday morning and his associates in every walk of life were plunged in the deepest of sorrow. No man in Avoca, in recent years, was so well liked as Fred Dunham. He was always kind and thoughtful of his friends, enemies he had none. He stood for all that was clean in life, square dealings with his fellowman and always loyal to his friends.

The funeral services were held Monday afternoon, March 7, just two days prior to his fortieth birthday. The services were held under the auspices of the modern Woodmen lodge of Avoca. The members of the order met at their lodge room and marched to the late residence of Neighbor Dunham and escorted the remains to the Presbyterian church where Rev McGuinness assisted by Rev J. Kroonmeyer of Council Bbluffs preached a strong and touching sermon, after which the remains were taken to the Avoca cemetery followed by over 100 of his former lodge members, neighbors and friends and laid to rest in the family lot.

Fred Dunham was the second son of MR. and Mrs. Charlie Dunham, was born in Eastman township, Livingston county, Illinois, March 9, 1870, when three years of age he came with his parents to Avoca where he has since resided. On March 12, 1891, he was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Neumann, from this union two children were born, Esther and Fred Dunham, Jr., who with a kind and loving wife, father, mother, and two brothers; Charlie Dunham of Washington and Bert Dunham of Indiana and one sister, Mrs. Wm Neumann are left to mourn his loss. To the bereaved family and parents the community extends their heartfelt sympathy in their sad hour of bereavement.

From the Scrapbooks of Bessie Gross Gustafsen

Source: Avoca Journal Herald