Iowa
Old Press
Marble Rock Journal**
Marble Rock, Floyd co. Iowa
November 1909
Martin Sheldon Van Dusen was born at Keysville, Clinton Co, N.Y.
on July 15th, 1827. Died November 20, 1909. Age 82 years, 4
months and 5 days. When he was fifteen years of age he went to
the state of Maine, where he learned the carriage makers trade,
where he continued his labor until 1850, when he re-located at
Ri[c]hford, Vermont. He was united in marriage to Eliza Nears,
March 25th 1852, moving to Shabbona Grove, Illinois in 1866,
removing to Marble Rock, Iowa, in the spring of 1868. To this
union were born eight children, as follows: Melinda, of Plano,
Illinois, Lucinda, now Mrs. Gideon Ackley of Marble Rock, Iowa,
Oren, Remsen, Iowa; Almon, of Los Angeles, California; Luthera,
also of California; George who died in Vermont, Elmer and Lulu,
Mrs. Philip Shultz who died at Marble Rock. Mr. VanDusen like the
well ripened shock of corn came to his grave, ripened in years.
Like the lone oak, he stood the severe storms of many summers and
frosts of many winters, holding his strength, his senses and an
active mind to a marked degree. Separating from home and kin at a
remarkably early age he has made his way alone, thro’ the
pains and hardships of life. He united with the Christian church
of Marble Rock about 1889; during his later years, his increasing
pleasure was found in reading the Bible and visiting with friends
concerning its precious promises. For many years he engaged in
wagon and carriage making and repairing at Marble Rock. Mr. and
Mrs. VanDusen went to Texas in 1900, while there his wife was
taken ill with a stroke of paralysis from which she died August
20th, 1901; he returned to Iowa soon after this and during recent
years has lived at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Ackley, who has
ministered untiringly to every need of a kind and appreciating
father. His end came rather unexpectedly Saturday evening, at
9:15, his spirit returning to the “Judge of all the Earth,
who shall, surely, do right.” Funeral services were
conducted at the house, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 1909. Interment taking
place at Marble Rock, West side cemetery, Revs. Manchester and
Inman officiating.
[**Souce is thought to be the Marble Rock Journal, however was
unable to verify as the years of 1909-1910 were destroyed or
lost.]
[submitted by B.L., Sept. 2004]