David Henry PEPPER

PEPPER, DUFFY, REEH, DIELMAN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 5/22/2009 at 21:47:05

DAVID H. PEPPER ANSWERS CALL

David H. Pepper Answers Call: Early Pioneer Settler Passed Away at his Home in Dows
Thursday, June 13, 1921

David Henry Pepper was born at Sonneberg, Germany, on January 9th, 1842; his mother having passed away when he was about five years of age. He came to this country in 1852 with his father and two sisters, and the family located at New Diggings, La Fayette county, Wisconsin where he lived until 1869 when he came to Vernon township, Wright County, Iowa, and has resided in said county continuously until the date of his death. The two sisters above referred to were Mrs. John Reeh and Mrs. C. H. Dielman both of whom resided for many years in Vernon township and are well known by the older settlers of this locality and both of whom passed away a number of years ago. The deceased lived upon his farm in Vernon township until about 21 years ago when he moved to Dows and has lived among us during all of such time. On February 14, 1872, he married Mary J. Duffy of Rowan, Iowa, and to this union four sons, Herman R., Julius L., David B., and Henry H. were born and who with his wife survive to mourn the loss of a loving husband and father. On August 22, 1862, he responded to the call of the country and enlisted in the 33rd Wisconsin volunteers at Shullsberg, Wisconsin, and fought for the flag of his adopted country until August 9th 1865, when he received an honorable discharge from service at Vicksburg, Mississippi.

The deceased was a charter member of Ridgley lodge, No. 450, I.O.O.F. of Dows and was selected to serve as the first vice-grand of such lodge. In 1883 Mr. Pepper was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors of Wright County, which office he held for some eight years. He was also Justice of the Peace in Vernon township for twenty years or more, retiring from these official positions with the esteem and respect of all of the citizens of Wright county. About four years ago Mr. Pepper underwent an operation for hernia, which trouble was caused by a severe rupture sustained by him while in the army, but owing to his advanced age, the operation was only partially successful, and his health had declined quite rapidly, and some six months ago he was compelled to remain at home the greater part of the time and passed away quietly and peacefully at his home on Thursday morning, June 23, 1921, aged 79 years, 4 months and 27 days.

The funeral services were held at the Presbyterian church last Sunday, where a large concourse of people gathered to pay their last respects to our old friend and neighbor and to follow his mortal remains to their last resting place. It was one of the most largely attended funerals ever held in Dows. Dr. Ellett, pastor of the Presbyterian church, delivered a most eloquent funeral sermon, after which his brother of Ridgely lodge took charge of the services and laid their brother to rest in Mt. Hope Cemetery. The members of the Rebekah lodge, and two of his old comrads of the G.A.R. also accompanied the funeral cortage.

The death of Uncle David Pepper as he was universally known and esteemed by all who knew him marks the passing of another of our old pioneers and serves to remind us how rapidly these grand men and women are going to their last long home, also that in a few more years taps will have sounded for the last member of the Grand Army of the Republic and all that will remain of this once powerful organization will be the grateful remembrance of those who have inherited the fruits of their labor and sacrifices. It is well to hold in grateful remembrance those sturdy ones of other years who sowed and planted and built for future generations for upon their work and sacrifice has modern civilization grown. Coming to Wright county more than a half century ago with naught but sturdy heart and willing hands, our old Friend has by honest toil, industry and economy with the assistance of his faithful Wife and industrious Sons accumulated 560 acres of Wright county’s best land, consisting of four farms all well improved and considerable other property against all of which there is not the scratch of the Pen; and as I write this tribute to his memory the thought comes to me that it must have been a source of great consolation and gratification to him to be able in the evening hours of his life to turn to his good wife and say "these broad acres are ours; we have won them from the wilderness by honest toil and frugal living; they are the creation of our own hands and represent more than a half century of privation, self denial, industry and economy; we can bequeathe them to our children free from any taint of fraud or graft; we have .... a farthing to increase our fortune, our prosperity is not builded upon another's misfortune, there are no woman's tear mixed with our success in life."

As one who has known the deceased for more than forty years, I can most truly say that the above is most applicable to his life and character, for whether in public or private life, “Uncle David” held his good name and honor above all else in life. His word was as good as his bond. He was of a very cheerful, happy disposition and scattered sunshine all about him; an inimitable story teller, and always had a tale of every occasion and one of those rare men whose heart was ever young and enjoyed being with young people. A loyal citizen and defender of our flag, a loving husband, a kind father and an honest man. Higher tribute can be paid to no man.

Source: Alice Brook brookj@juno.com