Funeral Next Sunday Afternoon of Well Known Citizen Nearly Seventy Years A Resident of Sycamore
Simeon VanDusen, a popular citizen and pioneer of DeKalb county who had been a resident of Sycamore township for nearly 70 years, died at his home on East Sycamore street in this city at about 5 o'clock on Thursday evening.
Mr. VanDusen had for a number of years been badly crippled by rheumatism, and for the last few years had been able to walk only with great difficulty, yet he was always cheerful. It must have been of such as he that it has been said: "The cheerful live longest in years, and afterwards in our regards. Cheerfulness is the offshoot of goodness." For about seven weeks he had been confined to his bed. His death was attributed to asthma and heart failure and complications.
Simeon VanDusen was born in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, on April 11, 1833, and was ten years of age when he settled in DeKalb county. He worked on the farm summers and attended the district school winters , and continuously resided on the old homestead farm, three miles northeast of this city, until his removal to Sycamore. He brought it to a high state of cultivation, and gained a wide reputation as an industrious and skillful farmer.
About 10 years ago Mr. VanDusen removed to Sycamore, and where he had since made his home.
On March 18, 1858, Simeon VanDusen and Miss Mary J. Sibley were united in marriage. She was a daughter of Harris and Lavinia Sibley, who came from Clarendon, N.Y., and settled in St. Charles, Kane county, Ill., when the daughter was five years of age. She survives at the age of 72 years. To Mr. and Mrs. VanDusen were born two sons and a daughter. William, the oldest who now conducts his father's farm of 200 acres, married Miss Cora Listy and they have three children. The second son, Frank, who resides in Sycamore, married Miss Susie Bennett, and they have two children. The only daughter, Della, died in 1882 at the age of 24 years. She married Ed. Renwick, who resides in DeKalb, Ill. Their son Edwin married Lizzie Benecke, and they have been making their home with the grandparents.
Mr. VanDusen had been an active Republican ever since attaining his majority, and had served almost continuously in public office, having been constable, highway commissioner for 12 years, and school trustee of the township for nearly35 years. He had filled most of the offices in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
A man of positive opinions, he was yet abroad and catholic, and a genial and agreeable companion. His comments on the early history of this country and descriptions of pioneer life were always entertaining.
The funeral services will be held at the home on Sunday afternoon at 1 o'clock, Rev. J.P. Brushingham, pastor of the Methodist church, officiating, and the interment will be Charter Grove cemetery.
