The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1904-03-24
HAVE PASSED BEYOND
A Trio of Decatur County's Oldest
Citizens Who Have Been Laid to
Rest Within the Last Week.
Robert Emmett Dye.

| The subject of this sketch was born
| in Monroe Co., Ohio, December 13, 1927,
and spent his childhood and early years
of manhood in that section of the coun-
| try, with the exception of some two or
three years in which he experienced
the hardships of life on a ilatboat as it
carried freight to New Orleans. Being
gifted with more than ordinary intellect
ual ability it is not surprising that this
was only means to a highcs end and
that 1T became the stepping stone to
college education at Granville, Ohio.
Being thus fitted for a career of great
usefulness, his ambition led him into
lines of educational work, IS in all of
which he made distinct and Eng -remenl-
bered impressions. His ability was
somewhat versatile and among the cher
ished things in the home was yellow
package of original essays and poetry
which Reluctantly yielded up their
treasures at the demand of mem
bers OF the family. He early identified
himself with the Baptist church and to
the end of his life was warmly devoted
to the interests of the same and active
in it's various lines OF work. The work
OF the Sunday School always appealed
to him with peculiar force and he was
ever a capable, loyal and devoted
teacher. The one great longing OF his
life was that those he loved in his own
family and friends might have accept
ance with Christ and live life of spir-
ltual devotion. One had only to speak
few words to him to realize that his
was indeed superior mind and one OF
unusual ambition considering the some
times discouraging environments that
had tendency to limit his usefulness
and prevent the fruition of. his hopes.
AT the age OF twenty-three he was
married to Miss Elizabeth Trippett at
Long Reach, West Virginia in 1851, and
in 1896 with family consisting Of wife
and two daughters made the journey by
boat as far as practicable and came to
Decatur county, Iowa, settling at once
on the farm which was the home until
about live years ago when he removed
to Leon to spend his declining years
amidst advantages which are not con-
nected with rural life. During the
forty years spent on the same farm and
in the same community he became a
part of every plan which had an upward
tendency actively interested in schools,
Sabbath schools, singing schools, poll
! ties, temperance and good citizenship.
Cheerfulness was characteristic of his
| life and genial good humor marked his
intercourse with those whom he knew
and for whom he had friendship. 1t.
twould be impossible to find perfect
poise always in life of such decided
traits OF character, but | think his
motives We're OF high order and when
unbiased IN his views ON questions upon
which he felt deeply seldom could one
ibe found who measured up more fully
) to high and noble manhood
HIS spirit was always young despite
the seventy-siN birthdays that came to
him and he kept in close touch with all
the great forward movements of the
age, always being able to discuss with
marked intelligence all questions that
were deemed to be Of vital Importance.
His love OF young people and of child
ren was marked and he loved to mingle
with them, entering into their Joys with
exceeding appreciation. His grand
children were universally fond of him
and his companionship and he recipro-
Gated with deep and abiding affection
which he did not hesitate to freely
express. His physical vigor was extra
ordinary considering the hardships OF
building up home in a new country
and at the age of scventy-four he took
claim in South Dakota in a community
where his children lived and met the
requirements necessary to come into
full ownership Of his quarter section of
land. This meant many journeys
| between his home and that state but
his courage and interest and his physi-
cal yigor made it possible for him to
carry 1T through to completion. His
letters up to two months previous to his
departure were written in plain, clear
| beautiful penmanship and breathes a
spirit OF youth and affection that made
them a veritable benediction to the
recipients
The fatal sickness was paralysis bnt
for the few weeks that he fingered after
being strjken he suffered little pain and
passed away without a struggle So
unexpected at the time was the final
summons that only the wife and one son
were present.
The family, consisting of five sons and
two daughters, had up to this time been
an unbroien circle and there remains to
mourn the loss of this devoted father
seven children, Nellie, wife of j. r.
Conrey, of Leon, Laura ", wife of 10. ID.
Samson, of Des Moines, Olinthus
Tripp, Edwin Ellworth, Clyde Waitman
and Robert Emmett Jr., of South
Dakota.
The funeral services We're held at the
Baptist church, of which he had so long
been member and We're conducted by
Rev. Il. Edwards for forty years close
personal friend and for many a pastor.
His remarks were touching and appro-
plate and were listened to by large
concourse of friends and neighbors who
had gathered to pay last tribute of
respect to one whose loss will be keenly
felt by those who knew him and loved
him we'll. An only brother, Harvey
Dale Dye, was among the mourning
relatives. The friendship of these two
brothers who were early orphaned was
more than ordinary and the consequent
bereavement OF the one who is waiting
little longer is deep and heartfelt in
the extreme.
He is not dead but is only trans
planted and mourn not as those who
have no hope. His influence is death
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