Family:Harris Sibley and Lavinia Unknown (1)

Sycamore True Republican
Saturday, July 27, 1912
Page: 1

Simeon VanDusen

Funeral Next Sunday Afternoon of Well Known Citizen Nearly Seventy YearsA Resident of Sycamore

Simeon VanDusen, a popular citizen and pioneer of DeKalb county who hadbeen a resident of Sycamore township for nearly 70 years, died at hishome on East Sycamore street in this city at about 5 o'clock on Thursdayevening.

Mr. VanDusen had for a number of years been badly crippled byrheumatism, and for the last few years had been able to walk only withgreat difficulty, yet he was always cheerful. It must have been of suchas he that it has been said: "The cheerful live longest in years, andafterwards in our regards. Cheerfulness is the offshoot of goodness."For about seven weeks he had been confined to his bed. His death wasattributed to asthma and heart failure and complications.

Simeon VanDusen was born in Cuyahoga, Ohio, on April 11, 1833,and was ten years of age when he settled in DeKalb county. He worked onthe farm summers and attended the district school winters , andcontinuously resided on the old homestead farm, three miles northeast ofthis city, until his removal to Sycamore. He brought it to a high stateof cultivation, and gained a wide reputation as an industrious andskillful farmer.

About 10 years ago Mr. VanDusen removed to Sycamore, and where he hadsince made his home.

On March 18, 1858, Simeon VanDusen and Miss Mary J. Sibley were unitedin marriage. She was a daughter of Harris and Lavinia Sibley, who camefrom Clarendon, N.Y., and settled in St. Charles, Kane, Ill.,when the daughter was five years of age. She survives at the age of 72years. 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 theyhave two children. The only daughter, Della, died in 1882 at the age of24 years. She married Ed. Renwick, who resides in DeKalb, Ill. Theirson Edwin married Lizzie Benecke, and they have been making their homewith the grandparents.

Mr. VanDusen had been an active Republican ever since attaining hismajority, and had served almost continuously in public office, havingbeen constable, highway commissioner for 12 years, and school trustee ofthe township for nearly35 years. He had filled most of the offices inthe Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

A man of positive opinions, he was yet abroad and catholic, and a genialand agreeable companion. His comments on the early history of thiscountry and descriptions of pioneer life were always entertaining.

The funeral services will be held at the home on Sunday afternoon at 1o'clock, Rev. J.P. Brushingham, pastor of the Methodist church,officiating, and the interment will be Charter Grove cemetery.