Obituary of Henry Ward Dana

From Clark County (IL) Herald

3 August 1904

 

Henry W. Dana died last Friday evening after a lingering and painful illness from Bright's disease.

 

Something lie one year ago, his health began to fail, but not until a few weeks ago did he take to his bed.

 

Henry Ward Dana was born in Woodstock, Vermont, April 3, 1842, a son of George W. and Abbs S. Dana, who were native of Vermont and of English descent.  He was educated in the common schools and was mostly reared at Waterbury, Vt.  He began the study of law at the age of 18 at the law school of Poughkeepsie graduating in 1859.  He was admitted to the bar at Bennington, Vt. in 1863.  In 1866 he came west to Illinois and settled in Lincoln.  He engaged in compiling abstract books in the office of the Logan county file abstract offices, afterward becoming sole proprietor of that institution.  In July 1884, he was elected president of a land company of Minnesota.  He continued in these businesses until a few years ago.

 

On April 15, 1863, Mr. Dana was married to Miss Emma Van Kleeck of New York at Poughkeepsie.  The fruits of this union were seven children, four of whom are yet living.  They are William, who is in the far west, Robert C. of Lincoln, Mabel (Mrs. F. W. Booth) and Emma (Mrs. Lu Cole), both of this city.  A son, Edwin W., met a tragic death by a mine accident in the west a few years ago; two little boys died at Lincoln.

 

In the spring of 1901 Mr. and Mrs. Dana came to this city to make thier home, both of their daughters having married here.  He opened an office here and soon began to do a fair business in real estate, but ill health the past year kept him from devoting his whole time to business.

 

He gained the confidence and friendship of a large number of our people during his residence in this city.  He was gentlemanly, mild mannered and a very clever man in every way.  Both he and Mrs. Dana were members of the Episcopal church, he serving as secretary, treasurer and vestry-man of the Lincoln church for several years.

 

The funeral services were conducted at the residence of F. W. Booth, with whom they made their home, on Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock, Rev. E. W. Murray of the Congregational church reading the Episcopal funeral service, after which the remains were interred at Marshall cemetery, a large number of friends following to pay their last respects.

 

 

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