The daily morning journal and courier., 1901-01-22
OBIIUI RY NOTES.
Death of Mir. Dexter-His Widow Former New Haven Resident and Teacher Here.

Death of MT. Dexter-His Widow n
 Former New Haven Resident and
 Teacher Here.
 Many in this city who remember Mrs,
 Thomas J. Dexter, who was Miss H. F.
 Wright, much esteemed school teacher
 years ago, of New Haven, will be griev- l ed to hear of her bereavement in the
 death of her husband which occurred a few days ago at their home on Second street, Yolo California, one of the sub
 urbs of Sacramento The Yolo Demo-
 crat of January 10 says in full and
 interesting account of MT. Dexter's
 life; His passing was peaceful, and
 his last hours were comsorted by sev- eral members of his family His daugh-
 ter Mrs. c. E. Frasher of Honolulu,
 was at his bedside for ten days, but re-
 turned to her home Just a week ago.
 The deceased was a native of Canada, born October 22, 1S30 His parents, John and Margaret Dexter, were the first
 white inhabitants of Amboy Lee coun- ty, H. They moved there when Thom- as J., their eldest son, was five years of age. It thus happened that the early days of the subject of this sketch were passed in country where the only roads were Indian trails, where hungry wolves prowled about the dooryard The nearest grist mill was fifty miles away Indians camped near and raised corn and hunted. Indian children were therefore his playmates. In after years MT. Dexter wrote: "On our old farm wandering bands of Pottowattomies and Shawnee Indians would pitch their tents and offer no violence to anyone unless first aggravated. Strabbona was grand chief and loved peace, and un- dertook to save white families from the rage of other warriors. Many times have gone with him when boy to Chicago"
 When MT. Dexter was but eighteen years of age the gold excitement was at it's height in California, and he cross ed the plains.
 Six years later he returned to his old home in Illinois, and was married to Miss Eliza Hills Shortly afterward they returned to California and began life on little homestead three miles east of Woodland. To them were born six children, five daughters and one son. The son, Ira, died when about two years of age, and a daughter Edith, in infancy.
 The surviving children are Mrs. Della Gibbs of Guinda, Mrs c. F. Frasher of Honolulu, and Mrs. Will Johnston and May E. Dexter of Woodland His sur vlving brothers are Simon Dexter. Ma son City, Ia, and Mark Dexter of Clear Lake, Ia.
 In 1870 the happy home life was brok- en by the death of his devoted wife Three years later he was married to Miss H. K. Wright of New Haven, Conn.,, who survives him. and who was a patient and devoted watcher at his bedside during his last sickness.
 In 1879 the family removed to Wood | land, which has since been their home. l MT. Dexter was quiet and unassuming man, but those who enjoyed his closest | confidence recognized in him persist ent reader, close observer and a pro- found thinker. He was a great lover of all that is pure, beautiful and sublime in the writings of the best authors He was man of strong and sincere friend ships, and those who knew him best ''OH iiiii' ihiO0t' ilC NoS StilelouS III VI marked degree, but his generosity was always transformations. His home life was ideal and the affection in the do- nestle circle, of which he was the cen ter was strong, abiding and inspiring"
 The mother of the widow of the de- ceased was Mrs Wright wife of David Wright. Mrs, Wright was for years 'ity missionary of New Haven and her husband was for years proprietor of a grain and flour store on State street. lear Water street. Victor E. w. Wright # Fair Haven, inspector of vessels, whose office is in the First National 'ank building, Is a newhew of Mrs. Dexter.