Laura V. (Dye) Samson ~ daughter of Robert Emmett Dye
Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, March l7, l904
ROBERT EMMETT DYE, one of the oldest residents of Decatur County, died at his home in south Leon Sunday night, at the advanced age of 76 years and 3 months of age.
The funeral services were held from the Baptist Church, Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, conducted by Rev. F. Edwards, Pastor of the Osceola Baptist Church, the interment being in the Leon Cemetery. Obituary next week.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, March 24, l904
The subject of this sketch was born in Monroe Co., Ohio, December l3, l827, and spent his childhood and early years of manhood in that section of the country, with the exception of some two or three years in which he experienced the hardships of life on a flatboat as it carried freight to New Orleans. Being gifted with more than ordinary intellectual ability it is not surprising that this was only a means to a higher end and that it became the stepping stone to a college education at Granville, Ohio. Being thus fitted for a career of great usefulness, his ambition led him into lines of educational work, in all of which he made distinct and long-remembered impressions. His ability was somewhat versatile and among the cherished things in the home was a yellow package of original essays and poetry which reluctantly yielded up their treasures at the demand of members 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 its 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 acceptance with Christ and live a life of spiritual devotion. One had only to speak a few words to him to realize that his was indeed a superior mind and one of unusual ambition considering the sometimes discouraging environments that had a 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 l85l, and in l856 with a 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 five years ago when he removed to Leon to spend his declining years amidst advantages which are not connected 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, politics, temperance and good citizenship. Cheerfulness was a characteristic of his life and genial good humor marked his intercourse with those whom he knew and for whom he had friendship. It would be impossible to find perfect poise always in a life of such decided traits of character, but I think his motives were of a high order and when unbiased in his views on questions upon which he felt deeply seldom could one be found who measured up more fully to a high and noble manhood.
His spirit was always young despite the seventy-six 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 children was marked and he loved to mingle with them, entering into their joys with exceeding appreciation. His grandchildren were universally fond of him and his companionship and he reciprocated with a deep and abiding affection which he did not hesitate to freely express. His physical vigor was extra-ordinary considering the hardships of building up a home in a new country and at the age of seventy-four he took a 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 physical vigor made it possible for him to carry it 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 but for the few weeks that he lingered after being stricken 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 unbroken circle and there remains to mourn the loss of this devoted father, seven children; MELLIE, wife of J.R. CONREY, of Leon; LAURA V., wife of E.D. SAMSON, of Des Moines; OLINTHUS TRIPP, EDWIN ELLWORTH, CLYDE WAITMAN and ROBERT EMMETT, JR., of South Dakota.
The funeral services were held at the Baptist Church, of which he had so long been a member and were conducted by Rev. F. Edwards for forty years a close personal friend and for many a Pastor. His remarks were touching and appropriate and were listened to by a large concourse of friends and neighbors who had gathered to pay a last tribute of respect to one whose loss will be keenly felt by those who knew him and loved him well. 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 a little longer" is deep and heartfelt in the extreme.
He is not dead but is only transplanted and mourn not as those who have no hope. His influence is deathless, as is that of every good man, and well might he say with the Great Apostle, "I have fought a good fight; I have kept the faith," and we are assured that through grace he has entered into Eternal Rest.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
"With permission from the Leon Journal Reporter"
April 20, 2003