Elliott, Dexter W. 1879-1938

ELLIOTT, RYNSBURGER

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-Volunteer
Date: 1/29/2012 at 13:28:01

D.W. Elliott, long time Hawarden resident and business man, died shortly after 11 o’clock, Tuesday morning at the Hawarden hospital where he had been a patient for the past four months, suffering from cancer. Mr. Elliott had been in failing health for many months before entering the hospital last winter and sought relief at the University hospital at Iowa City but his condition was such that no hope could be held out for his recovery. He gradually grew weaker during his months in the hospital and slipped peacefully away Tuesday forenoon. The body is at the Barnard Funeral Home but funeral arrangement have been deferred until the arrival of his son from California, which is expected to reach Hawarden tonight.

Dexter W. Elliott was born in the state of Maine and was about 59 years of age. He came to O’Brien County, Iowa as a small child and his early youth was spent at Sanborn. In the early 90’s he came to Hawarden with his mother who was then a widow, and a brother and sister, and made his home here for several years, attending school in this city. After finishing his schooling here he learned the watchmaker trade under the instruction of early day Hawarden jewelers and then for several years was employed as a jeweler and watchmaker at Sutherland, Iowa. From Sutherland he went to Spencer where he was engaged at his trade for a number of years. On February 17, 1909, he was united in marriage with Miss Wilhelmina Rynaburger of Orange City. They made their home at Spencer for a time but in the fall of 1910 Mr. Elliott established a jewelry store in Hawarden and continued in business here until last fall when he became no longer able to look after his business. An only son Dexter H. Elliott, went to Los Angles, Calif.., about two years ago and Mr. Elliott has been with him since last fall. His brother Charles Elliott, passed away in Eagle Grove a number of years ago

Always courteous and gentlemanly in his bearing, meticulously careful in his personal appearance, his possessed the ability to make friends and was successful during the early years of his business in Hawarden but encountered adversity in his later years which left him with a somewhat embittered outlook on life. But in spite of adversity he always retained his courteous, friendly manner and proud sprits. During the past year he suffered intensely at times but bore his physical Ills with outstanding fortitude.

Source: Hawarden Independent (June 23, 1938)