Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Dexter, Anna 1874
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Andrew MacLaney amaclaney@hotmail.com April 28, 2010, 6:55 pm

Ionia Co. MIGenWeb
The Ionia Sentinel
Friday, June 19, 1874 
OBITUARY.
Death of a Pioneeer.

In this city, on the 13th inst., after a long and painful illness, died Anna,
relict of the late Samuel Dexter, in the eightieth year of her age.
The death of Mrs. Dexter takes from our midst another of the pioneer settlers of
Ionia--the little band composed of Samuel Dexter, Erastus Yeomans, Oliver
Arnold, Darius Winsor, Joel and Edward Guild, with their wives and families, who
came here in the spring of 1833, and who were the first actual settlers in Ionia
County.

Of those who were heads of families at that time, we believe only one now
remains--Judge Erastus Yeomans; although the colony numbered several young men
and women, among whom were Dr. W. B. Lincoln, two or three children of Mr. and
Mrs. Dexter's, and others.

Mrs. Dexter was the mother of a large family at the time they came here, and
most of her children survive her and now mourn the loss and cherish the memory
of her who, despite the disadvantages incident to a new and sparsely settled
region, so trained them up in the "way they should go," that none are more
honored or respected than are they. No higher meed of praise can be awarded than
this, and "her children rise up and call her blessed."

Forty-one years have elapsed since these six families came into the then
unbroken wilderness. Mrs. Dexter lived to see a city of over 3,000 inhabitants
built up, where two or three wigwams were the only structures when she came; she
saw the first steamboat ascend Grand river; heard the whistle of the first
locomotive that rushed along over the first iron track laid down. She saw the
forest felled on every side, and in its place highly cultivated and productive
farms brought into existence; roads opened through the wilds; bridges built over
the numerous streams; school houses erected; and fine residences, substantial
business blocks, and costly and elegant church edifices grow up to mark the spot
where the little colony made the first opening for civilization, and in whose
future were centered the hopes and aspirations of their lives.
She had well and faithfully performed her duties as wife and mother; she had
commanded the respect of all who knew her; she was beloved and honored by her
own family; she had lived her four score years, and weary of pains she had
endured, weak through suffering and age, death was a welcome visitor. She has
gone to a long and eternal rest, and her memory is embalmed in the hearts of
those she loved.


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