Obit: Dennis, Dorastus J. (1825 - 1910)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Dennis, Holdeness, French, Sivwright, Wright, Pound

----Source: The Granton News (Granton, Clark Co., WI.) December 23, 1910

Dennis, Dorastus J. (8 September 1825 - 19 December 1910)

Mr. D. J. Dennis the beloved and aged father of Elmer J. Dennis died at the latter’s home in Town of York at 11 o’clock a.m. December 19^th, 1910, as the result of an acute attack of Bright’s disease.  He was confined to his bed little more than ten days, in his last illness, a quiet, pleasant, patient man who will be greatly missed.  For some time past had been very childish and had devoted himself to whiling away his time in childish games with his little 5-year old grandson Fred Dennis of whom he was particularly fond.  Three of his children were here with him at the time of his demise; the other two had been up and visited him but a few weeks since.

Dorastus J. Dennis was born in the state of New York on September 8, 1825 and when a young man of 18 he moved to Illinois.  At the age of 25, he married Miss Mary Holdeness of Sycamore, Ill., and to them were born nine children. Five of them namely, Mrs. Phoebe French of Tracey, Minn., Elmer of this place, Mrs. Lottie Sivwright, Mrs. Alice Wright, all of Sycamore, Ill., survive him. The other four died in infancy and with their mother who died nineteen years ago are buried at Sycamore, Ill., which continued to be the home of deceased until eight years ago when he came here with his son Elmer to make his home on the farm where he peacefully passed away on Monday.

Funeral services were held at the home Tuesday afternoon, Rev. G. L. Pound, pastor of the Free M. E. Church of York officiating. The remains accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Dennis and their little son Fred and by Mrs. Sivwright and her little daughter, were taken to the old home city of Sycamore, for burial on Tuesday evening’s train.