D.A. Dorrance

DORRANCE

Posted By: Rebecca Foster (email)
Date: 9/16/2014 at 12:13:32

VETERAN RIVER CAPTAIN DIES

D. A. Dorrance Passes Away at His Home in Moline--Heart Trouble Cause.

Capt. D. A. Dorrance, veteran river pilot, died at 12:45 o’clock yesterday morning at the family home, 342 Fourth avenue, Moline. Heart failure is given as the cause. He was discovered shortly after midnight in his room, and it was apparent that he was dying.

Although a physician was summoned immediately, the old river man had passed down the stream for the last time before his arrival. An inquest held this morning resulted in a verdict of “death by natural causes,” being returned by the coroner’s jury.

Capt. Dorrance was born July 13, 1848, in LeClaire, Ia., where he received his education. Later, when a young man, he came to Moline, and together with his older brother, D. F. Dorrance, entered the lime business. For a number of years the two conducted a successful brokerage business, which was later sold. He then went to St. Paul, where he remained for three years as agent for a lime company.

For the past decade he had been recognized as a riverman of considerable ability as a pilot, and during that time has acted in the capacity of captain of the steamer Pearson, which is now engaged in towing sand and gravel barges on the Mississippi.

The late captain was one of the oldest members of the Christian church in LeClaire in former years. He was also a charter member of the LeClaire chapter of the Modern Woodmen of America.

There survive three sons and a daughter, Charles, George and Louis Dorrance and Miss Bessie Dorrance. Tow brothers, D. F. and Derwin Dorrance, are also living.

The body will be sent to LeClaire, where funeral services will be held from the Presbyterian church at 2 o’clock tomorrow afternoon. Burial will be made in LeClaire cemetery.

Source: The Davenport Democrat and Leader, Davenport, Ia., 04 Oct 1914, p. 9.

DEATH SUMMONS CAPT. DORRANCE

VETERAN RIVER MAN DIES SUDDENLY AT HOME IN MOLINE

Coroner Holds Inquest and Finds That Death Was Due to Natural Causes--Burial in LeClaire

Captain D. A. Dorrance, 66 years old, died at 12:45 this morning of heart trouble, at his home 342 Fourth avenue. Shortly after midnight members of the household were attracted to his room, and it was apparent that he was dying. A physician was hurriedly summoned, but before he arrived Mr. Dorrance passed away.

An inquest was held over the remains this morning, the jury returning the verdict that death was due to natural causes.

Mr. Dorrance was born July 13, 1848, at LeClaire, Ia., where he received his education. In later years he came to Moline and entered the lime business with is older brother D. F. Dorrance, who now survives him. For several years they conducted a successful business here and later the business was sold. He then went to St. Paul where he remained for three or four years as agent of a lime company.

For the past ten years he has been recognized as a riverman and during a decade of years acted in the capacity of captain of the steamboat Pearson which is now carrying sand and gravel barges up and down the Mississippi.
He was one of the charter members of the LeClaire lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America. He was also one of the oldest members of the Christian church in LeClaire in former years.

The deceased leaves three boys and one daughter, Charles, George, Louis and Bessie. He is also survived by two brothers, D. F. and Derwin.

The body will be sent to LeClaire where funeral services will be held from the Presbyterian church at 2 o’clock Monday afternoon. Interment will be made in the LeClaire cemetery.

Source: The Daily Times, Davenport, Ia., 03 Oct 1914, p. 19.