Clark R. Dexter, deputy sheriff, and one of Chickasaw county's most highly respected and best loved citizens, passed away at the hospital in New Hampton early Thursday morning, Jan. 31, 1935, after an illness extending over a period of about three months, during which time he submitted to two operations but his ailment being of a malignant nature the skill of the best physicians and surgeons and the brave fight of an undaunted spirit were unavailing, and a useful life, just in its prime, was cut off.

Clark R. Dexter was born in Nashua, Jan. 26, 1889. Here he grew to manhood, attending the Nashua high school, and later taking a business course at the Southern Minnesota Business College, at Austin, Minn., graduating in 1908. For twenty-three years he was employed in the banking business in Nashua, for many years being cashier. After the consolidation of the Nashua banks, Mr. Dexter took up the insurance business, which he followed until May, 1934, when he was appointed deputy sheriff of Chickasaw county for the remainder of the year, and later reappointed for 1935.

On June 18, 1913 he was united in marriage to Miss Eva Hanson of this city, who with two daughters, Margaret and Alice Mae, survive to mourn the departure of one who was all that a husband and a father could be. A son died in infancy.

Surviving besides the wife and daughters, are four sisters, Mrs. Lou Smith, Minneapolis; Mrs. C. L. Johnson, Nashua; Mrs. W. F. Getsch, Minneapolis, and Mrs. H. S. Hanson, Peoria, Ill.

During his work in the bank he made a wide acquaintance and it can be truly said that to know Clark was to feel at once that he was your friend. His open countenance, his friendly smile, his sincere handclasp, assured you that here was a man worth of one's fullest confidence, and Clark never betrayed a trust placed in him. His own troubles and misfortunes, and he had his full share, were thrust into the background, and his sole thought seem to be what he could do to make life brighter, and smooth over the rough places in the lives of others. The esteem and love in which he was held was shown by the large concourse of people from every walk of life who crowded the church to pay their tribute of respect to a man whose departure they sincerely mourned. To his family and relatives his own life will be a beautiful memory.

Clark was always active in church and social affairs. His sweet tenor voice was in demand on every occasion where it could be used and it was his pleasure to give of his talent. From many years he was a member of the Congregational choir, of which church he was an active member. He was also a member of the Bradford Lodge 129, A. F. and A. M., which he served as Worshipful Master; of DeMolay Consistory, 32nd Degree Masons, and of the Northeast Iowa Consistory Club of which he was a past president. At the time of his removal to New Hampton he was a member of the board of education of the Nashua Public schools, and he served a number of terms as city treasurer.

A brief funeral service was held at Knutson & Larkin's funeral parlors in New Hampton at 1 p.m. Sunday, Rev. W. A. Spiker of the New Hampton Congregational church offering prayer and paying a tribute to the character of the deceased. Mrs. Ray Farragher and Miss Helen Whittle sang "The Old Rugged Cross," Clark's favorite hymn, and one which he had sung so sweetly for others on similar occasions. Following this service, the body, accompanied by the family, the court house officials, and many friends from New Hampton, was brought to Nashua, where a service was held at the Congregational church at 3 p.m., Rev. G. C. Lusted, assisted by Rev. J. H. Fairley, officiating. Mr. E. W. Staley, accompanied by Mrs. Staley on the piano, sang "Crossing the Bar". The beautiful flowers banked around the casket were a mute tribute of the love to the deceased. The service at the grave in Oak Hill cemetery was in charge of the Masons. Casket bearers were: W. M. Prudhon, W. R. Clampitt, A. H. Meier, Galen Mellinger, E. H. Yarger and G. E. Ellison.

The following poem is from the pen and heart of one of Clark's Nashua friends:

After eight weeks of illness, during which he was confined to his bed, H. T. Dexter fell into his last long sleep on Monday, Aug. 29, 1932, at about 11 o'clock a.m., at the home of his eldest daughter, Mrs. C. L. Johnson.

His had been a busy and a useful life, and even a year ago, at the advanced age of 89 years, he was still agent for the First Fire Insurance Company of New York, and able to transact their business in this locality.

Thompson Hubbard Dexter was born at Fredericktown, Ohio, on Dec. 8, 1841. When about 12 years of age, in 1853, he came with his parents to pioneer in the west. The family first settled in Wisconsin, where he grew to young manhood and then he came further west with the Richard Lester family and settled on a farm near the Wapsie, where they afterward bought a whole section of land for only $14.00.

On Jan. 3, 1864, he was united in marriage with Mary Ann Lester, at New Hampton, Iowa, and later they came to Nashua to make their home. Their companionship lasted for sixty-two years until death claimed her life in 1921.

Mr. Dexter held many positions of trust during his residence of fifty-seven years in our community.

He was engaged in the meat market business for twenty-four years, and was agent for the First American Fire Insurance Company of New York for 36 years, having received from them a gold medal after 33 years of faithful service.

For 13 years he was assessor for this township, for 35 years he was Justice of the Peace, and at one time he was deputy sheriff. For two terms he was elected as mayor of Nashua, which office he filled in a credible manner.

He and his wife were permitted to celebrate their Golden Wedding, surrounded by their children and grandchildren in the year 1915. Since the death of his companion in 1921, he had made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Johnson, where death claimed him.

Besides Mrs. May Johnson, he is survived by the following children: Mrs. Louise Smith and Mrs. Nellie Getsch of Minneapolis; Mrs. Marie Hanson of Peoria, Ill., and C. R. Dexter, all of whom were with him for several weeks to administer to his comforts and needs.

The funeral will be held at the Johnson home today, Wednesday, Aug. 31, at 2 p.m., Rev. Wm. H. Kent, pastor of his church officiating, and the body will be laid to rest near loved ones in Oak Hill cemetery.

Contributed by Carol Page Tilson, 2007

Mrs. Martha A. Groesbeck Passed to Her Reward Feb. 26, at Home of Her Daughter in Floyd.

Martha Ann Dierdorff was born in Westfield, Medina County, Ohio July 18, 1839. She was the youngest of 12 children of Mr. and Mrs. Jonas Dierdorff.

She was united in marriage to Jacob Carpenter Saddler, of Sullivan, Ohio, July 2, 1860. They came west about 60 years ago, making the trip overland by team, and settled on a farm near Waverly, Iowa. Later they moved to Richland Township, Chickasaw County, where they resided for 25 years, and where Mr. Saddler died on Dec. 5th, 1904.

To this union six children were born, of which five survive the mother: Arthur Fremont Saddler, Pillsbury, N.D.; Mrs. Florence Bushnell, Oneida, Iowa; Jason Saddler, Dubuque, Iowa; Royal Monroe Saddler, Floyd, Iowa; Peter A. Saddler, Colwell, Iowa. George Wilbur preceded the mother in death on October 18, 1903, at the age of 30 years. She had 14 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

On January 17, 1909, she contracted a second marriage, with John W. Groesbeck, and moved to Floyd, Iowa, where they made their home until the time of his death, Nov. 14, 1917. Her entire residence at Floyd was 14 years.

She was converted in childhood and united with the United Brethren church. Some fifty years ago, however, under the preaching of Rev. A. A. Wilbur, of Charles City, she embraced the bible doctrines which distinguished the Advent Christian church, continuing a faithful member of that denomination up till the time of her death.

She was a woman with a keen, practical mind, and of unusual force of character, courageous and resourceful in times of emergency, whether outwitting outlaws, rebuilding from the ruins of a cyclone, or meeting the hardships and privations of pioneer life. She was much sought after in cases of sickness, far and near, and never failed to prove herself a friend indeed in these times of need.

She was intensely interested in religious work and prominent in various activities of the denomination. She aspired to fight the food fight of faith, faithful unto death in hopes of the promised crown of righteousness.

She fell asleep in death in February 26, 1925, at the age of 85 years, 7 months and 8 days.

Funeral services were conducted at the A.C. Church Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. J. F. Whitman of Minneapolis, a personal friend of the deceased. Interment was in the cemetery at Republic.

We wish to thank the many kind friends for their help and sympathy during the sickness and death of our dear mother; also for the beautiful floral offerings. --Mrs. Florence Bushnell and Brothers

Contributed by Mary Thiele Fobian