TWO MORE CITIZENS GONE.

Myron Majors and Abraham Dickerson Die on Wednesday Afternoon, June 4, 1902.

Died at his home in this city, Wednesday afternoon, June 4, 1902, of typhoid fever; Abraham Dickerson, aged 79 years.

He was one of the earliest settlers of the town of Austin. He was born in Rumlis, Seneca county, N. Y. May 4, 1823, and was one of a family of nine children. When Abe was only two years old he moved with his folks to Boone county, Mich. They remained in Michigan 14 years when they came to McHenry county, Ill., and stopped one year. They then moved to Linn county, near Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and bought a farm. Cedar Rapids contained only four houses. They lived there until 1857 when Abe came to Mower county. He was married Nov. 2, 1857 at Waterloo, Iowa, to Miss Martha Bunn.

In the spring of 1857 when Mr. Dickerson came to this county, nearly all the land southwest of Austin was vacant and he could have had his pick of it. There was not a house in the Dinsmoor neighborhood. Around Cedar City were the Watkins, Chandler, Osborn and a few other families, and across the river were the Lotts, Huntingtons, Rolphs, Powers and others. There was a single hotel in Austin (Snow & Wilbour's) and a few houses.

Mr. Dickerson had some means so that he did not know as much of pioneer hardships as many others. He hired all the breaking done that he could and bought seed wheat in Winnisheik county for a dollar a bushel. The nearest grist mill was at Stewartville and afterwards at Mitchell. When Jonathan Gregson built the first mill at Officers's it was a great convenience to the early settlers.

Cedar City was started on the banks of the Cedar below David Chandler's farm in 1857 and lots were platted, a grist mill and saw mill were located, regular stage and mail service was enjoyed and the prophecy was for quite an enterprising little city but a freshet came and carried out the mills and dam and the city died. In July, 1858, during the great freshet, Dickerson was temporarily living with his brother while completing his own house. The water rose into the house so that the occupants had great difficulty in escaping from the flood.

In those early days, the business of the township was done in the village and for years some of those in the village were on the town board. Mr. Dickerson shared in the experiences of all the pioneers, often sleeping under his wagon while hauling grain to McGregor or Winona and knowing all about high prices and scarcity of provision at different times.

He was a very successful farmer and at one time owned a large tract of land in Austin township. He always claimed that farming, properly attended to was good business.

Mr. Dickerson was frequently elected to town office. He was town treasurer for over fifteen years. He was supervisor and chairman and for many years was on the school board. About four years ago, he moved into this city to get rid of the cares of the farm and look after his property here. Of late old age has pressed him but he was ill for less than two weeks at the last. Only three weeks ago today, he called in at this office and spent an hour in a friendly chat.

He was for years a member of the M. E. church in this city and realized that his great interest centered in the life beyond. He was a charter member of Fidelity Lodge, A. F. & A. M. of Austin. He was an upright citizen, respected by all. He always had great faith in Austin and vicinity and identified himself fully with its interests. His familiar face and pleasant companionship will be missed not only by all the surviving pioneers of this vicinity but by all who knew him.

Funeral services were held at the residence on College street, Friday afternoon, Frev. J. M. Brown, assisted by Rev. A. Cressey, officiating. Interment at Cedar City, where both the father and mother of deceased are buried. The widow and five children survive: Mrs. Milton E. Bowers, Mrs. Charles N. Bowers, George Dickerson and Mrs. Hiram S. Boale of Austin; and Charles Dickerson of Deslak, N. D. A brother of deceased, Joseph, of Henning, Minn., survives. All were present at the funeral.