Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Dinsmore, William February 13, 1873
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Patricia Currigan currigan1932@concast.net March 22, 2024, 1:25 pm

Portland Library Scrapbook - February 1873

                                   DIED

In this village, on Thursday last,(Feb.13th) of Spinal Meningitis, Mr. William 
Dinsmore, in the 63rd year of his age.

The deceased was one of the very first settlers in this township, coming here in 
1836. He possessed in an eminent degree the confidence and respect of all who 
knew him. As a Supervisor he served the township a greater number of terms than 
any other man, and in addition served as Township Treasurer, Commissioner of 
Highways in all of which he discharged his duties with fidelity and success.Some 
of his personal characteristics were very strongly marked. His sympathy was 
always awakened at the recital of suffering and want, and relief was given 
ungrudgingly. Instances are known to his neighbors where at various times he 
took into his own family old and infirm persons, who by reason of age and 
indigence of relatives were suffering and in want. The county had not then the 
provisions which it now has for the support of the poor, and Mr. Dinsmore's 
efforts for relief and his feelings kept pace together. His industry was 
untiring, and he easily laid the basis of that competence which he has left for 
the enjoyment of his family.So accustomed was he to labor, that when attacked by 
his last illness he remarked to a friend that he was sick and that he thought he 
must go to work and work it off.But his last work was done, for in less than a 
week from that time he ha passed away, just like a little child going to sleep. 
In belief he was a Universalist, and though not in form a member of that church 
here, he contributed not only to the erection of their church edifice, but also 
to the various interests of that denomination. His funeral was held at the 
Universalist Church on Sunday afternoon and was attended by a greater number 
than the hose could contain, especially by the old residents of the county, many 
of whom came from a distance to testify their resect for an old friend. With 
befitting propriety, the bearers were selected from the old settlers, some of 
whom had known him for near a third of a century.Thus one by one the first 
pioneers are passing away Last week we recorded the death of the oldest person 
in the community, now another has gone and but few new remain, and probably but 
a short time will elapse before they all will have passed over the river.It 
cannot be wondered at, then that the bond of their union as a brotherhood should 
be much stronger than that which the world calls friendship.



Additional Comments:
Portland Cem.,
Sec.WMD-#93-Row 15
Portland,Mich.

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