MEDARD DUPUIS - On Monday morning October 27th died at his residence in this city Medard Dupuis, aged 79 years, 11 months and 24(?) days. In the death of Mr. Dupuis, Savanna loses one of her oldest and most highly respected citizens, and this section of the west one of its most widely known pioneers. A man of the most genial disposition and the strictest integrity he possessed in a marked degree those traits of character that won for him the respect and esteem of all classes with whom in his long and busy life he came in contact.

His early life was in many respects a most romantic and adventurous one. He was born near La Prairie, Canada, in 1810, the eldest of Fabien and Marie Dupuis. Shortly after his birth his parents removed to La Prairie where and in Montreal he received his education. He had partially prepared himself for the practice of law, when finding his health impaired by confinement, he left his home for the United States at the early age of nineteen. In 1831 he came to Fort Mackinaw, Mich., where Mr. John Kenzie, son of the Chicago pioneer, then U.S. Indian agent to the Winnebago tribe, engaged him to transport the annuity of $15,000 in silver from Fort Mackinaw to Green Bay, and thence to Fort Winnebago, now Portage, Wis., where he remained with Mr. Kenzie for some months after the payment. The breaking out of the Black Hawk war in 1831 found Mr. Dupuis engaged in trading with the Indians for the American Fur Co., in the Four Lakes region, now Madison, Wis. The Indians with whom he traded manifested special liking for him and exercised a kindly protection over him. An incident connected with this period of his live may perhaps be well worth recording here, both as demonstrating the nobler traits of the Indian character and affording ____ly an insight into that of the subject of our sketch. Mr. Dupuis had dispatched his interpreter to the Fort on matters of business and to gather news as well of the Indian warfare raging about them, himself remaining alone at his trading post. On rising the next morning he found the door of his cabin barricaded with stumps, branches of trees and dry goods boxes. He recognized in this the work of the Indians, and thinking it perhaps a jest promptly tore away the rubbish; when, what was his surprise on returning from a spring near by where he had been for water to find his doorway again obstructed. Again he tore away the obstructions. This was repeated from time to time during the day, Mr. Dupuis being quite at a loss to understand such conduct, while the Indians lingering near, ______dly proceeded at ______ to rebuild the barricade, which he as promptly removed. Toward nightfall his interpreter returned, and similarly after another band of Indians. It was then soon learned that the Indians had come to acquaint Mr. Dupuis with his danger, as Black Hawk with his band of Sacs and Fox Indians were on the war path and intended passing there the next day. The interpreter being absent they had taken the course above described to warn him of the danger of remaining. Mr. Dupuis and his interpreter spend the night in storing the goods, and hiding them in a place of safety. A few of the Indians remained to assist them and it was one of these who after the war was over, recovered the goods whose hiding place had become scarcely recognizable after the ravages the vicinity sustained at the hands of the warring Indians. In the morning Mr. Dupuis with his interpreter departed for the Fort, which they succeeded in reaching in safety. Black Hawk and his band passed the deserted trading post and burned the buildings to the ground, on the afternoon of the same day.

Mr. Dupuis then enlisted in Captain Berry's Company of Michigan Volunteers, was made corporal, served until the close of the ware, and was ______ed ____ of service. He was next in the company of Mr. Henry Grath(?), and the ___ ____ found him in Galena, IL. ___ ___ center of the lead mining industry, and the goal of fortune seekers from all parts of this country, and indeed of the world. Here he formed many fast friends, particularly ____ing the French settlers many of whom were regents? from the French court, and the kindness here bestowed on the lonely young foreigner was always remembered by him with gratitude.

From Galena he went in 1833? to St. Louis for the purpose of improving his knowledge of the English language. He remained there several years in connection with the American Fur Co. His former acquaintance and chance meeting here with the late Henry Hart of New Orleans, a leader among the Canadian voyageurs of the Missouri and Northwestern hunting grounds, on the one hand, and his many friends among the French émigrés on the other render this one of the most interesting periods of his life. He returned to Galena in the later 30's where several years passed in trade in Galena, in partnership with Mr. St. Cyr. and in mining in the adjacent country. In 1845 he was called to a position of trust and responsibility in settling ___ affairs of the firm of Emmert and Halderman of Mt. Carroll, assigned. The failure of this firm that had done an extensive business through its numerous branches one of which was at this place, throughout this entire region, was for the times a somewhat gigantic affair, and its settlement was slow and difficult. Mr. Dupuis succeeded in completing the settlement to the satisfaction of all parties in 1847, a period of two years, during which time he resided at Mt. Carroll, In the same year 1947 he established himself in the lumber business at Savanna, which place became the distributing point for lumber through a region extending as far eastward as Freeport and Rockford, and almost as far westward into Iowa. He continued in the same business until the close of his life, and was one of the oldest lumbermen on the Mississippi.

In 1851 he married Miss Sarah A. Woodruff. In 1852 he erected the sawmill, one of the first upon the river, which was so long a prominent feature of the town and continued it in operation until 1877. It will be of interest to the lumbermen to know that the first raft of logs run down the river by the Hon. D.A. McDonald of LaCrosse, who now controls the largest line of steamers on the Mississippi, was for Mr. Dupuis at this place. He endeared himself to his townspeople during the civil war, by his active civilian services, by which Savanna's volunteer quota was maintained in excess, and the town exempted from the draft. He was active in having this town of Savanna incorporated as a city, and was elected its first mayor, and re-elected for a second term. During the later years of his life his health declined, and he was an invalid for several years prior to his decease, and his familiar, erect figure has for a long time been missed from our streets.

Always greatly interested in educational and kindred matters, Mr. Dupuis, gave freely of both time and money to further every good cause. Intensely patriotic, he was a devoted son of the country of his adoption. A man of a high sense of honor, loyal in his friendship, an open heart, a generous hand, his friends were legion, and though the frost of years is gathering over many of these old friends that yet remain, a undimmed memory grows warm at the thought of these eighty eventful years; while the younger generation, recalling the courtly old gentleman who has gone from us, can realize with difficulty the progress that has been made in this lifetime of four score years, in our won country and in the world.

Contribued by Susan Husk from the Savanna Journal 6 November 1890

NEWTON DUPUIS , passed away on Thursday evening, June 25th, 1931. Funeral services Monday, 1.p.m. at funeral home 2118 Lawrence Ave., Savanna, IL,

Contributed by Susan Husk (Son of Sarah & Medard Dupuis. From the Chicago Tribute

SARAH (WOODRUFF) DUPUIS - MRS. S.A. DUPUIS ENTERS ETERNAL REST. End Came Peacefully Saturday Evening.
PIONEER RESIDENT OF SAVANNA.

Six Children Are Left To Mourn Departure of a Beloved Mother and Friend. Mrs. Sara A. Dupuis, a pioneer resident of our city, and a woman who was loved and respected in the community on account of the beauty of her life and her many kind deeds, has laid aside the trials and pleasures of life and has entered into that last peaceful rest which comes to all at the close of life's long day.

The news of Mrs. Dupuis' death was a surprise and shock to our residents who did not realize that the beloved lady was so seriously sick. She was first taken sick about three weeks ago with a malaria cold but after treatment from a physician appeared to improve. However, she did not rally as rapidly as her family hoped for and so Thursday she appeared much worse and gradually grew weaker until dissolution came at 8:30 Saturday evening. Acute indigestion was the direct cause of her death. Sarah Ann Woodruff daughter of Thomas and Silence Woodruff was born in New Marlborough, Mass., November 14, 1825, (Savanna Cemetery books indicates 1823) and her early life was spent in that state and in New York. In 1840 she came west with her parents and settled in Elkhorn Grove where she was educated and finished at Knox College, and also was an instructor in this college in the early forties. Later she came to Savanna and was a teacher in one of the first schools at this city and the records show that she was the first teacher to receive salary from the treasury.

March 29th, 1851, Mrs. Dupuis intended(?) in marriage to Medard Dupuis (who passed away in 1890). A few years later they ___ed the home on upper Main street which has ___ been her place of residence where in early days as well as later there was always giving hospitality extended to all who passed through its portals. Mrs. Dupuis possessed rare qualities of mind and heart fitting her for pioneer life. She was a remarkable intelligent woman and had advanced ideas. She was one of the first advocates of temperance in this community and was an ardent worker in this cause before she became an invalid, although this did not stop her work and many interesting articles on this subject from her pen appeared in the local papers. During the war her sympathy was with the slaves.

She possessed a retentive memory and was interesting in conversation. It was a pleasure and a delight for friends and neighbors, who were always welcome in her home, to listen to her charming recital of the incidents and events of pioneer life, its pleasure and hardships so clearly indexed in her memory. Her journey toward the summer in the years of budding womanhood, was an educational force in developing her plastic? mind in nature's realms cultivating her youthful imagination and fancy, a fitting prelude for the life before her. She delighted to review the years gone by and of the early days when the pioneer women came to the home in the afternoon and remained until in the evening when their husbands joined them and where true hospitality reigned at every fireside. She was a woman of strong character and distinct personality, was kind and considerate of the rights of others. She had no use for, the seeming and untrue, but a high regard for realities. She never magnified the faults and shortcoming of others, but pursued the happy faculty of throwing over them the mantle of charity.

In early life she visited the sick and suffering and her aid was invaluable in many cases. She was ever ready to lend a helping hand, alike in the lowliest cabin or affluent homes. She was indeed a "Mother In Israel". Mrs. Dupuis met with an accident some twenty (years) ago in which her hip was broken and she was an invalid ever since. Throughout these years she was patient and uncomplaining. She placed her trust in Him above and was submissive to His will. Deceased was a member of the Congregational church, but in the absence of this denomination in this city she affiliated with the Episcopal church although she was an aid and supporter of other religious bodies of this town.

Much could be written of the beauty of the life and character of Mrs. Dupuis. She was king, thoughtful, considerate and unselfish. What blessed heritage for her children to whom she was inexpressibly dear on account of her tender, gentle and sweet disposition and whom she raised with love and kindness, and instilled in their minds those fine principles which made of them upright and loyal citizens. Surely will they miss her even though they realize that all is well with her. The loneliness and heartache is theirs but for here there is a new and glorious existence. Mrs. Dupuis was the last member of her family. She leave in sorrow the following children. Medard W., Sarah Denise, Eber, Jeanette- Mrs. W.M. Welch, Marie Silence and Newton.

The Journal with friends joins in extending tenderest sympathy to these sorrowing ones. May they find consolation and solace in their sorrow in faith in Him who has taken her into His keeping. The funeral will be held tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the residence and the services will be in charge of Rev. W.O. Butler. Interment will follow in the family lot in the city cemetery.

Contributed by Susan Husk Savanna Weekly Journal Wed, Oct 13, 1909

THOMAS DUPUIS - Funeral services will b e conducted at Pierre Brothers' chapel, 730 West Washington Street at 10 a.m. toady for Thomas F. Dupuis, pioneed Los Angeles chemical manufacturer, who was killed in an automobile accident last Thursday, near Safford, Ariz. The body is to be cremated and the ashes placed in a mauseleum in Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

Mr. Dupuis was 83 years of age, and a native of Savannah, Ill. He came to Los Angeles twenty years ago, establishing the Dupuis Chemical Company, and residing at 1248 W. Fourth Street. He leaves two brothers, Medard Dupuis of Los Angeles, and Newton Dupuis of Chicago. His wife died here six years ago.

Contributed by Susan Husk Los Angeles Times June 12, 1930

HENRY J. DURSTINE , of this city, died very suddenly, Thursday, April 30 (s/b March). He was born in Pennsylyania, May 14, 1845. In 1853, he removed to Illinois settling at Round Grove, Whiteside county, where he lived until manhood. From thence be moved to Morrison, Illinois, where he resided for a number of years, moving to Milledgeville about twelve years ago.

December 25, 1865, he became a Christian, uniting with the First Baptist Church of Morrison. May 5th of the following year, and at the time of his death he was a member and a deacon of the Baptist Church of this city.

October 28, 1869, he was united in marriage to Nellie A. Waite. He leaves, besides his widow, one son Roy; two sisters, Mrs. J. A. Boston, of David City, Nebraska, and Mrs. Hugh Shannon, of Coleta, Illinois; and two brothers, Harvey H. Durstine, of Coleta, and John E. Durstine, of ROck Falls, Illinois. In his death, Milledgeville loses one of its best citizens. He was a man of the greatest integrity punctillious in the fulfillment of every obligattion and faithful in all his business relations.

The funeral services were conducted in the Methodist church by Rev. E. W Annable of Amboy, Illinois, formerly of our city, assisted by Rev. Rapp of the Baptist church and Rev. Shouse of the Baptist church. Rev. Annable chose for his text fromRom. 8: 19, ``The manifestation of the sons of God." Interment was made at Bethel cemetery,

Mr. Durstine was a member of the Masonic and Woodmen fraternities, and a social member of the Mystic Workers of the World and of the Royal Neighbors.

DEAR FRIENDS:- I wish to add my personal testimony to the character and worth of H. J. Durstine. He was the first member to receive the hand of fellowship from we upon my assuming the pastorate of the Baptist Church in Milledgerille, and shortly after he was elected to the honored office of deacon of the church and superintendent of the Sunday School. A man quiet and reserved, I found it difficult to become intimately acquainted with him for a long time, and during this period of growing knowledge I could not appreciate his true worth. As time passed, the gold revealed itself more and more in his life, and looking back from this point in life, I can truly, frankly, honestly say he was indeed a son of God. He never missed service in all my pastorate, if he could possiblv get there. I grew to look for and to expect his familiar face in its accustomed place Sunday by Sunday. The words of one of your townsmen, a business man, come often to my mind, regarding our deceased brother, -- " When you know him better, you will appreciate him for his real worth," and this was more than a mere statement of fact. Milledgeville does not know its loss yet, but it will as the days go by. His Christian character is woven into the very fabric of the life of your city and in coming days his patience in suffering and in adversity, his strict probity, his godly walk and behavior will be more and more manifest, and prove a lasting blessing and benediction upon his home, fis friends and his city.
Signed by E.W. Annable

ROY W. DURSTINE , 72, mayor of Milledgeville for the past four years, passed away at the Katherine Shaw Bethea hospital at 7:10 o'clock Wednesday evening (6 June 1945). He had been admitted to the hospital as a medical patient May 28.

A native of Morrison, Mr. Durstine was born Sept. 16, 1873, the son of Henry and Ellen (Waite) Durstine. He was married July 4, 1896 Ruth Inman who died eight years ago.

A rural mail carrier out of Milledgeville for many years, Mr. Durstine later went to Chicago and was associated with the Continental Illinois bank there. He retired six years ago and returned to Milledgeville where he was elected mayor four years ago. He was a member of the Masonic lodge here and the baptist church.

Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Alfred R. West and Mrs. Wm. J. Kuss both of Oak Park, and two grandchildren Katherine and Karl Kuss.

Dixon Evening Telegraph 7 June 1945

EARL L. DYER - On Monday morning Earl Dyer, the adopted son of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Dyer, of this city, took his own life by hanging. County coroner, Dr. Melugin, of Thomson, was called and upon arriving here, proceeded at once to bold an inquest. Mrs. Chas. Dyer, who was tbe first to find her son, after taking his own life, testified about as follows: Earl was an adopted child he had led a melancholy life; had grieved because he was an adopted child, and grieved more on his birthday than any other time. He was twenty-two years of age today. Between eight and nine o'clock this morning, I went to the wood shed and found Earl banging there with a rope about his neck. His feet touched the ground. I put my hand on his face and touched his hand and found he was cold in death. Earl had al ways been a good boy and neve had an unkind word to say about anybody.

Joakum Knox, who is one of Mr. Dyer's nearest neighbors, said: "I was called to Dyer's this morning and was told their son, Earl, had hung himself. I went to the wood shed and saw the boy hanging there, apparently dead. My opinion is Earl had not been right for tbe past four or five years.

"W. G. Bent, C. W. Allison and H. O. Barber, who were also witnesses, agreed with the testimony as given above, and in a few minutes the jury rendered a verdict.as follows.

STATE OF ILLINOIS; CARROLL COUNTY
In the matter of the inquisition on the body of Earl L. Dyer, decceased, held at MilledgeviJIe, Carroll county, late of Illinois, on the 13th day of November, 1899, we, the undersigned jury, sworn to inquire into the death of Earl Dyer, and on oath do find that he came to his death by hanging at his own hands.

T. N. FLEMING, Foreman, A. T. COWAN, A. J. WOOD, M. A. WOOD, A. E. HOLEMAN, S. J. FLETCHER

The deceased had been engaged for five or six years assisting his father who is a plasterer by trade, but for a few weeks preceding his death he had been out picking corn. On Monday morning it had been planned for him to remain at home and husk some shock corn that was piled up tn the yard. After husking corn for a few minutes be came to tbe house and then , sawed a few sticks of wood for his mother. It was after be sawed the wood that he had taken a rope from the barn, brought it to the woodhouse, fastened one end of the rope about his neck and the other end he fastened toa crossbeam in the building, where he was found by his mother a few minutes before nine o'clock, cold in death.

Earl was a boy of good habits and did not have a known enemy in this world, Those who knew him speak well of him, and the friends of Mr. and Mrs. Dyer join with them in this great affliction. The funeral sermon was preached by Rev. G S. Davis, Wednesday forenoon at 10:30 o'clock, at the ­"M. E. churh. Interment was made in the West Elkhorn cemetery.

MILDRED (WILLIAMS) DYKEMA , 82, of Thomson, died Thursday (November 4, 2004) at the Rosewood Care Center in Moline, Ill. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the Frank-Law Jones Funeral Home in Mount Carroll, Ill. The Rev. Mark Harkness of the Mount Carroll United Methodist Church will be officiating. Interment will be in the Grove Hill Cemetery in Morrison Ill. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Frank-Law Jones Funeral Home in Mount Carroll.

She was born March 29, 1922, to George and Mary Thomas Williams in Macon, Mo. She married Edward Dykema on March 8, 1941, in Clinton. She attended school in Fulton, Ill. She was a homemaker and helped on the family farm. She also worked with the Atwood Manufacturing Co. in Mount Carroll for several years and the Adams and Martin Clothing Store in Mount Carroll.

Survivors include her husband; four sons; Richard (Barb) Dykema of Geneseo, Ill., Ken (Carol) Dykema of Balsom Lake, Wis., Larry (Corky) Dykema of Viola, Ill., and Lonny (Linda) Dykema of Snellville, Ga.; two sisters, Thelma Long and Hazel Weber both of Rockford, Ill.; 20 grandchildren; and seven grandchildren. A memorial fund has been established in her name. She was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter and 10 siblings.

Clinton Herald November 5, 2004

ARMINDA (WILCOX) DYSLIN , widow of Lewis Dyslin, passed away Sunday October 22 at Fairmont, MN at the age of 80 years. Her body was brought to Lanark yesterday morning and taken to the home of her granddaughter, Mrs. David Courts at Maple Grove from where the funeral was held at 1:00 pm this Wednesday afternoon with internment in the Cherry Grove Cemetery beside the remains of her husband who dies many years ago.

Lanark Gazette, November 6, 1922
Mortuary Record: Mrs. Lewis Dyslin
Arminda Jane Wilcox was born at Janesville, Wisconsin October 16, 1842 and died at Fairmont, MN October 22, 1922 at the age of 80 years and 6 days. When she was still a little girl, the family moved to Little Falls, New York. Here she grew to womanhood and was married to Lewis H. Dyslin. In 1864, they moved to Illinois, locating in what is known as Dyslin Valley. Here her entire life was spent and here were born the seven children who came to bless their home: Maurice and George of Tacoma, Washington; John and Frank of Aurelia, Iowa; William of Fairmont, MN at whose home she passed away; Annetta, who died at the age of 11 years and Mrs. Sadie Wilkins who passed away in 1903. Since the death of Mr. Dyslin in 1908, Mrs. Dyslin has made her home with her children and grandchildren. 17 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren will cherish the memory of a kind and loving grandmother. Among them are Eliot Wilkins of Lena, Earl Wilkins and Mrs. David Courts of Lanark at whose homes she was wont to live.

From the home of Mrs. David Courts the funeral was held. Conducted by Mr. Nicholas. Pauline Puterborg and Thelma Brooks sang, Mrs. Nicholas at the piano.

Mrs. Dyslin had a bad fall on April 30 while carrying May baskets to her little great grandchildren. She never recovered from this fall sufficiently to go without crutches and about two weeks ago she had another fall which necessitated her going to bed. She grew weaker from this time and peacefully slept away on the morning of October 22. Her life was a living epistle to all who knew her, of her faith in the Savior. To know her was to love her. Short services were held at the home of William Dyslin in Fairmont, MN at 2:00 pm Monday after which the body was brought to Lanark, Illinois. The pallbearers were John Keltner, Simon Fisher, august Kloepping, John Zier, E.C. Landt and Charles Shidler. Interment in the Cherry Grove Cemetery.

From website of Robert Gene Custer / Rootsweb

KATHRYN (REEVES) DYSLIN , 815 W. Pleasant St., died Thursday evening in Freeport Memorial Hospital, where she had been admitted two hours earlier.

She was born July 1, 1905 at Lanark, to Eber and Cora (Hawk) Reeves. On Dec. 24, 1924, she was married to Charles L. Dyslin at Lanark. He died May 23, 1946. Mrs. Dyslin was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.

Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Clifford (Ireta) Crone of Jacksonville and Mrs. Vernon (Janice) Harrenstein of Freeport; a son, Charles of Rockford; and nine grandchildren. Funeral service will be Saturday at 1 p.m. In Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home, with the Rev. Edwin W. Bradley of First Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Lanark Cemetery.

Contributed by Alice Horner (The Social Security Death Index shows April 1968 as the month of death.)

LEWIS DYSLIN - Funeral of Lewis Dyslin held at Cherry Grove Monday afternoon at 2:00 pm.
Lewis Dyslin, an old resident of Dyslin Valley, about nine miles north of Lanark, died Saturday night at 11:30 pm from the effects of old age and general debility. His funeral was held from the Cherry Grove Church Monday afternoon at 1:30 pm. Elder Franklin Meyers officiating. Internment in Cherry Grove Cemetery.

Website of Ronald Gene Custer/Rootsweb from Lanark Gazette, October 25, 1922

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