Friends of Samuel Dunavan, an old resident of Adams township, were much
shocked Wednesday morning, Dec. 9, 1914, to learn that he had suddenly
passed away at an early hour at his old home, from heart failure, induced by
acute indigestion.
Deceased was born in Rutland township, this
county, April 9, 1837, and was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert
Dunavan, who were well known Illinois pioneers. He was educated at Lombard
University in Galesburg, and at Bryant & Stratton Mercantile College in
Chicago. On the 22nd day of March, 1859, he was married to Miss Miranda
Munson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Munson, of Freedom township, and in
1860 moved to, and made their home where he died.
Mr. Dunavan is
survived by his widow, now aged 76 years, and five children and six
grandchildren, of whom the daughters are Mrs. Nellie Rogers, of Kansas City,
Mrs. May Humm, of Aurora, and Mrs. Cora Watts of Leland, and his sons,
Douglas of Ottawa, and Clarence of Millington, Illinois. He is also survived
by his brothers, George of Mound City, Kan., and Lewis, of Kidder, Mo., and
his sisters, Mrs. Kate Brandon of Stockton, Mo., and Mrs. Jane Howe of
Kansas City, Mo.
The funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at
1 o'clock from the family home, where the many friends of the departed came
from far and near to pay their last respects to the one they esteemed and
loved. Rev. Elfreda L. Newport, of Ottawa, schoolmate of Douglas and
Clarence Dunavan, at Lombard University, conducted the services. Interment
was made in the Earlville cemetery. The pall bearers were, Fred Cody, David
Hall, Marion Warren, Andrew Ohme, Charles Brignon and Justin Rogers.
In the passing away of Samuel Dunavan, the community has lost a noble
character, the family a kind and loving husband and father. He died as it
was his wish, without long suffering, and although doubtless suffering
extreme pain, not a sigh or word of complaint escaped him; and peacefully
and undisturbed, he closed his well-spent life. Measured by every standard
by which man can be measured, in his business relations, with his neighbors,
and in his family, he was a kind and manly man in all the word implies.
Mr. Dunavan was of a cheerful disposition, and scattered sunshine
wherever he went. Whether among the young or the old, he was revered and
loved by them alike. Life to him was an opportunity for useful services and
the development of heart and soul. He read men from within, and in selecting
his friends, if their hearts were right, it mattered not whether they were
rich or poor, or how they were dressed. He was a consistent believer in the
fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man.
Source: Obituary from "The Ottawa Fair Dealer," Dec. 18, 1914
Contributed by SDunavan@aol.com
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