Calista O. Carlton Dunshee (1826-1899)

DUNSHEE, CARLTON, SCOTT, BUTLER, ANDREWS

Posted By: Gail and Dennis Bell
Date: 5/29/2005 at 11:20:07

THE MAXWELL TRIBUNE, Maxwell, Iowa, Thursday, February 23, 1899, page 5, column 2. "Dr. Scott and family were called to Padre, Kansas, last Friday by the severe illness of Mrs. Scott's mother, Mrs. C. O. Dunshee. They arrived there Saturday morning, but found she had passed away the evening before. A short service was held at Padre, Kansas, Sunday afternoon. The body was then brought to Des Moines, Iowa, where service was held at the University Place church, Monday at 10 a. m., after which it was laid to rest beside that of her husband, the late Professor Norman Dunshee. We hope to be able to give a sketch of her life next week. Dr. Scott and family returned to Maxwell Tuesday evening. The sympathy of this community is with them in their bereavement."

THE MAXWELL TRIBUNE, Maxwell, Iowa, Thursday, March 9, 1899, page 1, column 4. "Mrs. Norman Dunshee. - Mrs. Calista O. Dunshee, the widow of the late Prof. Norman Dunshee, of Drake University, died at the home of her daughter in Pardee, Kansas, Feb. 17, 1899. She was well known in Maxwell as since the death of her husband, she has made her home part of the time with her daughter and son-in-law, Dr. E. C. Scott. The following sketch is furnished by Prof. O. T. Morgan of Drake University: Mrs. Dunshee's maiden name was Carlton, and she was born in Sullivan, Ohio, Nov. 13, 1826. At the early age of fifteen, she united with the Christian church, and thus began that life of service which she maintained consistently and zealously to the end. While attending Western Reserve Institute (now Hiram College) she was a leader among the students, especially in the line of dramatic and literary work. It was from her doubtless that the daughters inherited their literary ability. Here she became acquainted with a young professor, Norman Dunshee, and they were united in marriage in 1853. While at Hiram she boarded in the family of Mr. Rudolph and roomed with their daughter, Miss Lucretia, who afterwards became Mrs. Garfield. In 1853 she, with Miss Rudolph, Miss Booth, and Jas. A. Garfield wrote and prepared a colloquy for commencement, which was long remembered in college annals. The friendships there formed continued through life. She received a very kind letter of remembrance from Mrs. Garfield in 1890 after the death of her husband. From here they went to Kansas, and passed some time on a farm. In 1871 Professor Dunshee was called to Oskaloosa College where he taught for six or seven years. Then they removed to Abindon, Ill., and when Drake University was founded, Professor Dunshee was called to the chair of Ancient Languages. There they did probably the greatest work of their life, and they are still remembered with the greatest respect and affection. It is thus seen that the life of Mrs. Dunshee has been a pioneer one. She came of a face of pioneers. Her ancestors came to New England with the first company after the Mayflower. A sister was the wife of the well-known pioneer preacher of Kansas, Pardee Butler. She was of that high-minded, independent mould of which heroes and heroines are made. She was of the greatest help to her distinguished husband in his work. She was not only his best inspiration, but as well his best critic. She was a woman who "Looketh well to the ways of her own household, and eateth not of the bread of idleness.: She took the heavier burdens form the shoulders of her husband, and by her economy and business insight, acquired for them a competence to bless their old age, and those to whom they should leave it. She left a liberal sum to be used in spreading the gospel in foreign lands. Two children and five grandchildren are left to mourn her loss. Her older daughter is the wife of Dr. E. C. Scott of Maxwell, Iowa, and her younger daughter is the wife of Hon. R. T. Andrews, a state senator of Kansas. "Her children rise up, and call her blessed, Her husband also, and he praiseth her.""