Lewis Merritt Dayton (1844-1907)

DAYTON, WHITE, ELWOOD

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 8/15/2013 at 23:05:57

From Sycamore True Republican, 26 Jan 1907 issue:

L. M. Dayton

L. M. Dayton passed away at his residence on Elm Street on Saturday afternoon, January 19, at about 4 o'clock, after an illness covering a period of over 14 months. The funeral services were held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Methodist Church, of which he had long been a devout member, after which interment occurred at Nevada cemetery. Rev. R. E. Shaw conducted the services, which were attended by a large number of old friends and neighbors.

The deceased had been a resident of this county since 1881 when he came out from Sycamore, Ill., and settled on a farm near Colo. There he resided for ten years when he moved with his family to Nevada where he has since been a resident. After coming to Nevada he was engaged in the stock business which he followed until failing health necessitated his giving up his active business pursuits. Some time after the first attack of his sickness he went to Rochester, Minn., where he entered the hospital and underwent an operation. For a time he was somewhat better and it was thought that the operation bad proved successful, but before many weeks the trouble had returned and he had been growing gradually worse ever since. He had been a patient sufferer and when the last days of his life came he was ready to die. In fact he welcomed death as he realized that there was no relief for his suffering. During his last days he was happy in being surrounded by his wife and children.

Lewis M. Dayton was born at Sycamore, Ill., October 14, 1844, and died at Nevada, Iowa, on January 19, 1907. Spending his early life on a farm, he enlisted in the 132nd Illinois Volunteer Infantry at Sycamore in May 1864, in which be served until the ending of the war. He was a charter member of the Grand Army Post of Colo. On Christmas Day, 1865, he was united in marriage to Miss Helen White, of the same city, to which union four children were born, all of whom are living. They are: William H. Dayton, of Abilene, Kan., Carrie D. Elwood, Arthur L. and Helen D. Dayton, all of Nevada.

Mr. Dayton was an exemplary citizen, strictly honest and upright in all of his dealings, charitable and public spirited. He had a host of friends over the country who have watched his sickness and suffering with regret and who learn of his death with sorrow.

- Nevada Evening Journal