Obituary for Louisa Victoria Dutton (nee. Brindsen 1840-1915)

The Springfield News-Leader (Springfield, Missouri), February 14, 1915, Sunday, Page 5 --

Mrs. Lou Dutton Dies After Short Illness 

        After a short illness of pleuro-pneumonia, Mrs. Lou V. Dutton of 432 West I.ocust street, 75 years of age. died yesterday morning at her residence.

        Mrs. Dutton was the wife of Captain H. J. Dutton of Company A. 33rd Illinois Infantry, a Civil War veteran. Besides the husband, Mrs. Dutton is survived by one son, Clarence A. Dutton, of Los Angeles, and four daughters. Mrs. A. O. Mack, Mrs. R. E. M. Mack, Mrs. G. A. Coover of this city, and Mrs. F. A. Dunlap of Kennewick, Wash. 

        Mrs. Dutton was born in Burford, Can, October 17, 1840.  Left an orphan at an early age, she went to relatives in Illinois and was married at Metamora, Aug. 29, 1866.  In 1869 she moved to Cedar county, Mo., where she lived until 1884, when she moved to Springfield. 

        Funeral services will be announced as soon as word is received from the son and daughter living in the west.

Louisa was the wife of my 2xg-grandfather Harvey J. Dutton, whom I blog about often.

Copyright © 2021 by Kevin W. Walker

"Looks Like Murder" : L.W. Decker (1842-1913)

From The Southwest Mail (Nevada, Missouri), October 13, 1913, Friday, Page 8 --

LOOKS LIKE MURDER 

L. W. Decker Found Dead in Bed Monday Morning--His Hands and Feet Tied With Rope.

         L W. Decker, a coal miner, who resides three miles south of Amsterdam, was found dead in his bed Monday morning between six and seven o'clock and all indications are that he was murdered. When his body was found by neighbors his hands were tied tight with a rope behind his back, his feet tied together and a handkerchief tied around his face and neck says the Butler Democrat. 

         Sheriff Johnson and Coronor Crabtree were immediately notified and they left Butler for the scene of the crime Monday morning between eight and nine o'clock, where an inquest was held. 

         From parties who live in the neighborhood we learn that Decker was last seen on Saturday night and no one was seen about his premises. Decker was 74 years of age and was a widower, his wife having died about one year ago. 

        The above megaer particulars are all we have been able to secure over the phone.

Lawrence W. Decker was the husband of my 2xg-aunt Margaret Ann (Maclean) Decker.  So far I have found no information as to motive or perpetrator.

Copyright © 2021 by Kevin W. Walker

Lt. Col. Dr. Frank G. Porter (1821-1879)

One of the surprise discoveries of my listing my Civil War ancestors was that I have a Brigade Surgeon as a relative.  Dr. Frank Gibson Porter was my 2xg-uncle, behind my Dad's mother.  His history is rich and will require future fleshing out, but for now let us hear his Civil War record.

From Reavis, L. U. (1881). Saint Louis, the future great city of the world: And its impending triumph. St. Louis: G.A. Pierrot. --

            Early in 1861, he joined the Union army as Brigade Surgeon. He remained in the army until the last days of 1865. He was with Generals Totten, Schofield, Herron, Fisk and Grant. He participated in thirteen hard-fought battles; quite a number of minor engagements; was "bushwhacked" three times, and captured once. At the battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, single-handed and alone, he turned back two six-gun batteries that were in full retreat, and thus saved the day for the Union. One of his most noted transactions during the war, was the planning and constructing of the most extensive field hospital of the Rebellion, at Hamburg, Tennessee, after the battle of Pittsburg Landing. Harper's Weekly reproduced it, and the New York Herald and Tribune noticed it in the highest terms of praise. The farthest east he was during the war, was Fort Donelson, Tennessee; south, New Orleans; west, Fort Gibson, Indian Territory, and north, Fort Laramie. 

            In the summer of 1865 he was ordered to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, as his headquarters, where he remained until the last days of the same year, when he was mustered out of the service, carrying with him a commission from the Governor of Missouri, and three from the President of the United States : the first, that of Assistant Surgeon ; the second, that of full Surgeon, and the third, that of Lieutenant-Colonel by brevet. 

            During the war, for a period of nine months he had charge of the United States Marine Hospital in St. Louis, and aside from this he always held the position of Medical Director while in the army, his appointment being that of General Staff Surgeon, United States Volunteers. Upon his leaving the service he returned to St. Louis, and resumed his profession.

Copyright © 2020 by Kevin W. Walker

Obituary for Julia Emma (Dutton) Owens (1847-1920)

From The Springfield News-Leader (Springfield, Missouri), 9 Nov 1920, Page 7 --

MRS. J.E. OWENS

Mrs. J.E. Owens, age 74 years, died at 1:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon at the residence of R.E.M. Mack, 501 High Street.  The home of the decedent was at Joliet, Ill., and she was in Springfield visiting relatives.  She was a sister of Mrs. Harry J. Dutton, 501 West High street.  She is also survived by the following nieces: Mrs. R.E.M. Mack, Mrs. A.O. Mack, and Mrs. G.A. Coover, all of Springfield.  She is also survived by two daughters, Mrs. Mabel Marklow, Joliet, Ill., and Mrs. Madge Dunlop, Colorado Springs, Colo., both of whom formerly lived in Springfield.  No funeral arrangements are made, pending the arrival of the daughters.

-- Identified Error: She was the sister of Mr. Harvey J. Dutton.



Copyright © 2020 by Kevin W. Walker

Death of Julia (Dutton) Owen, cont'd. (Dutton Letters, part 3)

This is a transcription of a letter from Harvey James Dutton to his niece Effie (Ricketts) Kern, daughter of Harvey's sister Laura Ella (Dutton) Ricketts, on the occasion of the death of Harvey's sister, and Effie's aunt, Julia (Dutton) Owen.

We read yesterday that Julia's daughter Mabel considered bringing her body back to Metamora, IL to be buried in the Norman Dutton family plot, but the plot is full.  So the decision was made to bury her in Harvey's family plot in Springfield, MO, where the remains of Harvey's wife Victoria already lays.

We also read that Harvey was taking the death of his sister hard.

Springfield, Mo  Nov. 11th. 1920 

My dear niece and family,
You have doubtless been informed of the sudden death of sister Julia.  No doubt you were greatly shocked by that news.  It was indeed a shock to us for while we knew she was very sick, were led to believe there was no special danger.  Julia seemed to be enjoying her visit so much.  Had visited with Elva several days and a week ago yesterday I went with her over to Gertrude's.  She intending to stay a few days.  That evening about 6 o'clock Gertrude telephoned Norma that Julia was awful sick and wanted her to come over.  We went right over.  Took Elva with us.  Called a Dr. an osteopath, and that suited Julia although she objected to calling any Dr.  Said she was sure she would be all right by morning.  Thursday morning she seemed quite a little better. (I should have added it was a case of indigestion)  As Gertrude's baby was quite unwell, Julia was brought back here to Norma's, and while all pain was relieved, her breathing became labored and pulse irregular Sunday.  While she seemed no worse as she did not improve as we thought she should, called another Dr., an Allopath.  He said the cause of her shortness of breath was the condition of her heart.  Later on he said it was asthma.  I cannot give all the particulars.  Monday about 10 a.m. Rowan wired Mabel and Madge that their mother was very sick.  She died 1:30 p.m. Monday.  Ed and Mabel arrived Tuesday 7:00 a.m. Funeral Wednesday 10 a.m. Burial by the side of my wife in Hazelwood Cemetery here.
A great disappointment to me.  Plansa all changed though I think I shall go to Zephyrhills, Fla. May go next week.  Kindest regards to all.  Shall be glad to hear from you.
H.J. Dutton

Elva (Dutton) Mack, Nora (Dutton) Mack, Gertrude (Dutton) Cover are all daughters of Harvey Dutton.  I finally figured out who "Madge" was, Margaret Owen, sister to Mabel Owen, both daughters to Julia.  Rowan Mack was Nora's husband.

Here is a pic of the Dutton family plot.  Lousy picture, only showing three of the eight graves and the memorial, but it is the best one I have.  That middle grave belongs to Julia's husband James Owen. Remember you can click on pics to enlarge.

Here is a pic of the marker for Harvey Dutton and his wife --

And next to him the marker of his sister Julia --

Tomorrow we will continue with part four of our chronicles of the Dutton letters.


Copyright © 2015 by Kevin W. Walker

The Death of Julia Owen (nee. Dutton, 1847-1920), The Dutton Letters, part 2

Julia (Dutton) Owen was the daughter of Norman and Nancy (Smith) Dutton, and the half-sister of my 2xg-grandmother Louisa (Dutton) Walker.

 

 

                                                                         Metamora, Ill
                                                                         Nov 9, 1920
Dear Effie,
     I'm afraid I was rather sudden with my sad news, but I called you as soon as I got Mabel's telegram.  I had just gotten a letter from Mabel this eve.  Saying her mother had one of her old spells of indigestion.  He cousin Elva had written her and she was quite worried.
The telegram was phoned me from Peoria as near as I can remember.  It was something like this: "Mother died Pm. Buried Wednesday in Uncle Harvey's lot in Springfield."
Doesn't it seem like a horrid nightmare?  I.m so glad we had such a nice visit this summer -- who of us thot it would be the last.
I must write to Mabel, and some others.
                                                                        Sincerely,
                                                                        Myrtle 

JULIA EMMA OWEN: "May your days be filled with happiness and all your shadows fly away." Aunt Julia

Effie Mae Kern (nee. Ricketts, 1881-1952) was the niece of Julia (Dutton) Owen through her sister Laura Ella Ricketts (nee. Dutton, 1854-1887).  We have not yet discovered who is Myrtle Ellis.

Friday a.m. 

Dear Myrt,
We are home from our sad journey and just feel stunned -- I am enclosing the letter I received from Elva Mon a.m. just before I wrote you.  Then we sent a telegram for them to view immediately mother's condition.  I could not help but be uneasy and we got a wire about 11:30 saying the Dr said her heart was bad and we had better come.  we left at 1:15 and she died about 1:30 but of course we didn't know it until we got there.
I'll always feel they should have let us know sooner altho the Dr assured them she would be all right.  Of course it was our first thought to bring her to Metamora but I seemed to remember mother said there was no more room in Grandpa Dutton's lot and Uncle Harvey wanted her buried where he will be and her name will be put on his monument where Aunt Lou's already is and also Uncle Harvey with just the space for dates left.  And after all she will be among her own people.  If we had intended to stay here for always of course I would have brought her here.  But of course Ed and I want to be cremated so she would have been alone here too--So I guess it was best after all--but it was hard to leave her away down there.  Uncle Harvey is all broken up over it all.  They were to have left for Florida next Monday.  How thankful I am!  If it had to be that it happened before they went.
Write to Madge -- of course she would have liked to come but it was out of the question. The flowers were beautiful and I never heard a better funeral sermon,  I can't write more now.  Will write to Effie soon.  Wish you would send this to her and Elva's letter too.
Write to me when you can.
With love, Mabel

This letter came down to us through Effie's estate.  The letter from Elva was not included among this bunch, I don't know if Linda has it.  Elva Mack (nee. Dutton, 1867-1952) was Harvey's daughter and would have been writing from on location.  I am not sure who Madge is yet.

My son Ralph and I have visited the Dutton family plot in Metamora a couple times and it is indeed full.

Tomorrow I will complete this story line with the letter from Harvey, and a look at the memorials.

Copyright © 2015 by Kevin W. Walker

Surname Saturday: Frank

From pages 792-793 of History of Pettis County, Missouri by Mark A. McGruder (Topeka, Indianapolis, Cleveland : Historical Pub. Co., 1919) --

Dr. Elmer C. Frank, a prominent dentist of Sedalia, is a native of Pettis County. Doctor Frank was born at LaMonte, Missouri, May 12, 1872, and is a son of Abraham and Catherine (Cloes) Frank. Abraham Frank was born in Germany in 1818 and came to America with his parents in 1832, when he was fourteen years of age The family located in Ohio, where the parents spent the remainder of their lives. Abraham Frank went to Illinois about 1845, and was living in that State when the Mexican War broke out. He enlisted and served in the United States Army during the Mexican War, and during the gold excitement in California, he went to the Pacific Coast. After remaining there three years, he returned to Illinois. Shortly after the Civil War, he came to Pettis County, Missouri, and bought a farm of 210 acres, north of LaMonte. Here he was engaged in farming and stock raising, during the remainder of his life. He was a conscientious man and a good citizen and met with a reasonable degree of success in a financial way. He died November 8, 1894. His widow survived him for a number of years and departed this life in 1912. Their remains rest side by side in the LaMonte cemetery. To Abraham and Catherine (Cloes) Frank were born the following children: Henry, deceased; Sadie, married Harvey Walls, Jefferson City, Missouri; Lizzie, married Gilbert Scott, Sedalia, Missouri; Hiram, lives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; William, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Walter I., Salt Lake City, Utah; and Dr. Elmer C., the subject of this sketch. Doctor Frank was educated in the public schools of Pettis County, the State Normal School, at Warrensburg, and the Sedalia Business College. He then entered the Western Dental College at Kansas City, Missouri, where he was graduated in the class of 1900, with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. He immediately engaged in the practice of his profession in Sedalia, his first office being in the Central Building. Two years later he established his office in the Ilgenfritz Building, where he has since been located. Doctor Frank has built up a large practice and is one of the leading dentists of this section of the State. He has been very successful in the general practice of dentistry, although he specializes in that sphere of his profession which has special reference to crown and bridge work. Doctor Frank was united in marriage, November 18, 1915, with Mrs. Ida Gresham, daughter of Isaac Warren of Sedalia, Missouri. Doctor and Mrs. Frank have a pleasant home on South Park street and both have an extensive acquaintance in Sedalia and stand high in the community.

Nice find!  This profile of my wife's great-grand uncle Dr. Elmer C. Frank, spends half of the time profiling her 2xg-grandparents Abraham and Catherine (Cloes) Frank!

Copyright © 2014 by Kevin W. Walker

Sunday's Obituary: Capt. Harvey James Dutton (1836-1928)

Death announcement, "The Springfield Leader" (Springfield, Missouri), Wednesday, Jan 18, 1928 · Page 12 --

H. J. DUTTON.  Capt. H. J. Dutton, formerly of Springfield, died suddenly this morning at his home in Florida, according to word received here by Mrs. R. E. Mack, a daughter.  The body will be forwarded here.  Burial will be under direction of the Alma Lohmeyer Funeral Home.

Obituary, "The Springfield Leader" (Springfield, Missouri), Thursday, Jan 19, 1928 · Page 10 --

CAPTAIN DURING CIVIL WAR, DEAD.  H. J. Dutton of Springfield Dies in Zephyr Hills, Florida.  H. J. Dutton Springfield died yesterday in Zephyr Hills, Fal.(sic.), at the age of 91.  He was a veteran of the Civil War.

He was captain in the Union army in the 33rd regiment and fought throughout the south, leading his men from place to place in attacks against the Confederation.  He enlisted at the beginning of the war and fought until the close.

Mr. Dutton had lived in Springfield for thirty-eight years and had been a resident of Missouri for sixty years.  Before coming here he was a farmer and stock raiser in Cedar county, Kansas, and was later in the mercantile business at El Dorado, Kan.  He was born and reared in Illinois.  His wife died here thirteen years ago.

He is survived by four daughters, Mrs. A. O. Mack, Mrs. R. E. M. Mack, Mrs. G. A. Coover, all of Springfield, and Mrs. Finis Dunlap of Vancouver, Wash., and by a son C. A. Dutton of Los Angeles, Cal.  He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

The body will arrive here tomorrow and burial will be under the direction of the Alma Lohmeyer Funeral home.  Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

 Copyright © 2014 by Kevin W. Walker

Capt. Harvey J. Dutton (1836-1928) -- University Graduate

This man's life keeps impressing me!  From THE ILLINOIS STATE NORMAL UNIVERSITY ALUMNI REGISTRY 1860-1882, as reported in  A History of the Illinois State Normal University by John W. Cook and James V. McHugh (Illinois: Normal, 1882) --

18. Harvey J. Dutton entered the Thirty-Third Regiment immediately after graduation, and remained four years, becoming captain before the close of the war. On his return to Illinois he commenced farming, and removed to Missouri in 1860, where he had purchased a farm. He has taught from four to six mouths each winter for nine successive winters. In August, 1866, he was married to Louise V. Brinsden. They have four children—three girls and one boy. His address is Virgil City, Missouri.

Harvey was my g-g-grandmother Louisa (Dutton) Walker's brother. [Me <-- Living Walker <-- Keith G. Walker <-- Henry Martin Walker, Jr. <-- Louisa (Dutton) Walker]

Copyright © 2011 by Kevin W. Walker

Biography of Capt. Harvey J. Dutton (1836-1928)

From The History Of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade And Barton Counties, Missouri published by Goodspeed, 1889; Pgs. 732, 733 Cedar County Section --

Capt. Harvey J. Dutton, general merchant of El Dorado Spring, with  a stock of goods valued at about $3,000 is a native of Woodford  County, Ill., born in 1836, and is the eldest of six sons and two daughters, born to Norman and Nancy E. (Smith) Dutton.  Mr. Dutton was born in Rutland County, VT., in 1810, and Mrs. Dutton in Canada, in 1808.  they moved to Illinois, were married there, and there Mrs. Dutton died in 1866.  One year later, Mr. Dutton married Miss Maria Sleeper, from New Hampshire.  He died March 18, 1889, was a member of the Congregational Church for forty years, was a deacon in the same, and was a successful tiller of the soil.  Capt. Harvey J. Dutton was reared to farm life, received a fair education in the common schools, and later attended the State normal at Bloomington, Ill, from which institution he graduated July 3, 1861.  He then joined Company A, Thirty-third Illinois Infantry, known as the Normal Regiment, and was made sergeant at once.  Afterward, he was made lieutenant, etc., until August, 1863, when he was commissioned captain, and commanded his company with credit until December, 1865, when he was mustered out at Springfield, Ill.  He operated in Arkansas, Missouri, Texas, Louisiana and Alabama, and was slightly wounded three times.  August 21, 1867, he married Miss Louisa V., daughter of John and Louisa Brinsden, who were natives of London, England, where they were married.  Mr. and Mrs. Brinsden emigrated to Canada before Mrs. Dutton was born, and there they both died, Mr. Brinsden in 1861, and Mrs. Brinsden in 1850.  Mrs. Dutton came to Illinois with an uncle, and was there married to Mr. Dutton, by whom she had six children, one son and four daughters now living:  Florence E., Clarence A., Norma E., Bertha I., and Gertrude L.  The fourth child, Colena A., is deceased.  In 1869 Mr. Dutton moved to Cedar County, Mo., settling five miles south of El Dorado Springs, where he followed farming until 1889, when he moved to town, and engaged in his present business.  He is a Republican in politics, voting for Lincoln in 1860; is a member of Colonel Leonard Post at El Dorado Springs, and has held nearly all the offices in the same.  He and Mrs. Dutton are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

-- As the article states, Capt. Harvey J. Dutton was the offspring of Norman Dutton and Nancy (Smith) Dutton.  Nancy was the widow of Norman's older brother Samuel.  Nancy and Samuel's eldest daughter was my g-grandmother Louisa (Dutton) Walker.  So Harvey was my half 2xgreat-grand uncle, and a blood relative.  What makes this article so nice is that it has so much to say about Harvey's parents who are my ancestors!

What makes Harvey so important to my family history is it is probably a safe assumption that he talked Louisa's husband Henry to enter the Civil War.  It was January 1865, the war was winding down, the South was fighting without regular supplies and victory appeared inevitable.  Henry mustered into Company A, of the 33rd Regiment Illinois, the very same company that Harvey was in command of as Second Lieutenant.  Two months later Henry was killed while in service in a railroad accident.

According to the government's military pension records, Capt. H.J. Dutton died January 18, 1928, age 92.  Quite a full life and an ancestor to be proud of.

Copyright © 2011 by Kevin W. Walker