To: <IADECATU-L@rootsweb.com>

Subject: OBITUARY - DAVID JENNINGS.

Date: Monday, May 14, 2001 12:02 PM

October l, l896

GRAND RIVER, IA., Sept. 20, l896: Died, at the home of his son-in-law,

BLAIR BRENAMAN, in Richland Township, DAVID JENNINGS, aged 72 years.

The above announces the passing away of an old and well known citizen of

this town and vicinity. DAVID JENNINGS was born in Portage County,

Ohio, January 23, l824, where he spent his boyhood and youth. On the

4th of June, l887, he was stricken with paralysis, since which time he

had been an invalid but had only been confined to his house the last few

months of his life.

At the early age of l5 he was left, by the death of his father, the

virtual head of a family consisting of his mother and several brothers

and sisters, some of them mere children. So he was forced to rely upon

the poor and inadequate common schools of that day as the only means to

obtain the rudiments of an education. In April, l852, he was married to

MISS ALVINA KELLEY, of Streetsborough, Ohio, and a few weeks after they

came west. They first came to Knox County, Ill., where they remained a

few months and then came to Iowa and settled in Mt. Pleasant. Here they

resided about twenty years. They then moved to Osceola, where they

resided a few years and then located on a farm which deceased purchased

south of this place and which he owned at the time of his death. His

wife died in the spring of l894. Eight children were born to them, two

of whom died in infancy. Four of them live in Blue Mound,

Kansas--EDWARD K., BRITTON E., ARTHUR and DAVID W. They are the most

prominent business men of the place. DAVID A. resides on his farm in

Ringgold County and MARY, the only daughter, is the wife of BLAIR

BRENAMAN, a prominent farmer residing near this place.

When a young man, deceased received an injury to his back while crossing

Lake Erie in a storm, and as a result he was unable to perform many

kinds of manual labor and was compelled to seek light employment. In

this way he came into the employ of Cole Bros., of Mt. Pleasant, dealers

in lightning rods. He continued in their employ for twenty years and

became one of their most successful salesmen. In the prosecution of his

business he traveled extensively in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and

other states. Wherever the homesteader built his pioneer cabin there

UNCLE DAVE, as he was familiarly called, went with his mules and wagon

and generally left a rod on the aforesaid cabin. His acquaintance was

extensive in almost every hamlet in the states above mentioned. He had

a genial and social nature, fond of family and friends and humane and

kind to all. The one in trouble could always depend on him for sympathy

and encouragement. No one in need was ever turned from his door. No

one can point to his grave and say he ever done him an injury. He was

always foremost in advancing the best interests of this community,

especially in improving the facilities for the education of the young.

Our public schools were closed on the occasion of his funeral which was

attended by teachers and pupils as a mark of respect for his memory.

His funeral occurred September 22nd and was largely attended. The

services were conducted by REV. EATON, Pastor of the Baptist Church, of

which the deceased had been a member for many years. Although an

invalid for several years he always maintained his interest in passing

events.

During the war he was an ardent patriot but could find no mustering

officer who would accept him for service. His extensive travels and

varied experiences made him a most entertaining companion. He had a

fund of anecdotes and reminiscenses which he related in his own

inimitable way. His acquaintances and friends were scattered over

several states and many a heart will be sore when it is known that

generaous, big hearted, UNCLE DAVE is no more.

H.C.J.

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