Iowa
Old Press
Maquoketa Excelsior
Maquoketa, Jackson County, Iowa
December 7, 1899
Hon. James Dunne
Jackson county’s pioneers continue one by one to pass to the
other world. This time we have to chronicle the demise of Hon.
James Dunne of Otter Creek, one of the county’s oldest and
most venerable citizens. Mr. Dunne had been growing feeble quite
rapidly the past few years and his death therefore was not
unlooked for. He was ill but a short time before his death which
occurred Tuesday morning. Deceased was born in Clonmore, Kings
county, Ireland, Jan. 21, 1823, where he had the advantages of a
good English education. In 1843, when but 20 years of age, and
hearing the glowing reports of the vast resources of the United
States, he emigrated to this country. The ten years following he
carried on a trade between New Orleans and one of the Mexican
ports, on his own account and acquired some property. In 1854 he
removed to Jackson county and settled in Otter Creek township.
Since then he has occupied a prominent place in the history of
the county, has served for twenty years as supervisor and was
several times elected chairman of the board. In 1870 he was a
member of the Thirteenth General Assembly, a position he filled
with credit to himself, honor to the state and satisfaction of
the citizens. In 1859, Mr. Dunne married in New Orleans, Miss
Mary Dunne, who survives with four children to mourn the loss of
a kind and considerate husband and father. The children are James
F. and R. E. Dunne, Mrs. M. J. Nelson of Otter Creek and Thomas
J. Dunne of Dubuque. Deceased was a man of firm character, was
generous and open hearted and numbered his friends by the
hundreds. The funeral was held today at Otter Creek and was very
largely attended, many from this city being present.
[transcribed by K.W., May 2009]
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Bellevue Leader
Bellevue, Jackson County, Iowa
December 14, 1899
SQUIRE TAYLOR DEAD
Well Known Jackson County Citizen Died at Higginsport Monday
Another one of Jackson County’s pioneers answered the final
summons Monday when J. L. or “Squire” Taylor as he was
better known died at his home at Higginsport. Mr. Taylor was
eighty years of age, fifty of which has been spent in this
county. He had been a sufferer for many years with cancer and his
death was a result of this affliction. He was born in Mercer
County, Pennsylvania, June 15, 1819, where he grew to man’s
estate and received a good common school education. In 1845 he
emigrated to Iowa and settled in Jackson Township, this county,
where he has since resided. He was a democrat in politics and
held numerous offices, being at one time a member of the board of
supervisors. He was justice of the peace for over thirty years.
He was married in 1841 to Maria Daniels and they were the parents
of eleven children, nearly all are still living. By thrift and
economy the Squire managed to accumulate a competence and owned
several large farms. He was prominent in Masonic circles and was
a faithful member of the Bellevue lodge. The funeral took place
at Preston, Tuesday under the auspices of the Masons and was
largely attended. The Bellevue people were prevented from being
present on account of bad roads.
[transcribed by K.W., September 2009]
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Maquoketa Excelsior
Maquoketa, Jackson County, Iowa
December 14, 1899
SABULA
On Sunday last, Perry Taplin, residing about six miles northwest
of this city, discovered an enormous bull snake crawling along
the ground, not far from his dooryard. He hastily grabbed up a
heavy stick and killed the reptile, and upon measuring found it
to be eight feet long and a plump four inches thick. It is seldom
that a snake is killed at this time of year, but it is equally
seldom that a snake of this size is found in this locality. -Sabula
Gazette, December 13, 1899
Mary Ast
Mrs. Mary Ast died Friday morning at the home of her daughter,
Mrs. W. C. Gordon, at the age of 73 years. Funeral services were
held yesterday at the Baptist Church and were largely attended.
Rev. Reep conducted the services in both English and German.
Maud Echard of Delmar, a daughter of Daniel
Echard, was struck by an engine on the C. & N. W. road last
night at about six o’clock as she was driving over the
crossing at the Abe Hurst place, a mile this side of Delmar, and
was instantly killed. She had been to this city, where she came
regularly to take lessons in garment cutting. She was on her way
home, driving one horse, which came out of the accident
uninjured, The accident was caused by an engine running alone and
going very fast, striking the buggy squarely. A large hole in the
back of her head shows the cause of Miss Echard’s death. She
was carried to Delmar on the pilot of the engine along with a
large portion of the buggy. She was 18 years of age and is
survived by her parents, three brothers and two sisters.
[transcribed by K.W., April & May 2009]