Martha J. (Durham) Dawson (1842-1908)

DURHAM, DAWSON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 3/18/2017 at 20:30:05

From Nevada Representative November 23, 1908

OBITUARY

Death of Mrs. Dawson

Mrs. Martha J. Dawson, widow of the late Washington Dawson died on Friday, November 20, 1908, at the hospital in Clarinda, Iowa aged 66 years, 7 months and 19 days. The cause of her death is assigned as senile dementia; and she had been breaking down steadily since the death of her husband a few years ago. Last spring she was sent to the hospital at Clarinda, but the treatment there was not effective in restoring her health, and the end has come, probably not greatly to the surprise of her relatives.

Mrs. Dawson's maiden name was Armknecht*, and she was born in what is now the state of West Virginia on March 31, 1842. She was married in Illinois after the war to Mr. Dawson and with him came to Story county in the early '90s, they being mong the first of the Illinois migration to this county They resided in Milford and Grant townships until Mr. Dawson's death, and after his death Mrs. Dawson continued on the home farm on the Ames road for a few years, but about two years ago went to live with her son Howard near Cambridge.

Mrs. Dawson's funeral will be conducted this afternoon from the Methodist church by the pastor Rev. Shaw, and she will be buried beside her husband in the Nevada cemetery.

*SUBMITTER'S NOTE: This submitter believes this information is incorrect. Martha J. Durham was the daughter of George Durham and Rosanna Ambrose. She married (1) Jefferson Berlin ca. 1861. He died in Andersonville Prison during the Civil War ca. 1863. She married (2) Washington Dawson on 15 March 1866 in McLean County, Illinois. I find no connection to an "Armknecht." On their marriage records, Howard, George and William all give their mother's maiden name as "Martha Durham."