Person:Amos Dexter (1)

Amos Dexter, one of the old pioneers of this section, died at his home on Drayton Harbor last Saturday morning, April 18th, 1896. His death resulted from a complication of diseases, chief of which being rheumatism and a trouble of long standing with his lungs and heart. He had been confined to his bed for about four weeks prior to his death. The best medical aid was summoned, but all efforts to arrest the progress of the disease and restore his health were futile. Amos Dexter was born in the year of 1821 in the state of New Hampshire. After leaving the state of his birth he resided in Wisconsin, and there married Miss Eliza Whitcomb, the maiden name of Mrs. Dexter, who has been his life companion since. Mr. Dexter and our respected townsman, Samuel Wade, while young men, worked together in Wisconsin, way back in the forties.

After leaving Wisconsin the deceased lived in Colorado, Nebraska and Dakota. In company with Preston Hotchkiss he operated a saw and grist mill for a long time at Elk Point, Union county, Dakota. In 1870 Mr. Dexter and Mr. Hotchkiss came to Washington territory and entered more than 500 acres of what was known as "offered land" that is situated on the south side of Drayton Harbor. The greater portion was purchased by Mr. Dexter, and with the exception of a few acres that have been sold, most of the original tract now forms the estate left to Mrs. Dexter, as there are no children. Mrs. Dexter is the daughter of Grandma Whitcomb and sister of Mrs E. A. Boblett and Mrs. Sarah Hotchkiss. The Journal voices the sentiment of the whole community in expressing sympathy for Mrs. Dexter in her hour of bereavement. While she mourns the loss of a kind, noble and faithful husband, the community regrets the loss of an estimable, enterprising and industrious citizen. Mr. Dexter has been one of the pioneers of this new commonwealth and has assisted in blazing the way that lead to the formation of a new state. The greater portion of his life has been spent upon the frontier battling with the rugged forces of nature. By hard labor and close economy he has carved out from a wilderness of woods a substantial and serviceable home on Drayton harbor. He devoted a great deal of attention to horticulture, and was instrumental in rearing an excellent orchard on the home place. He has been a constant visitor to Blaine ever since there was a Blaine. His familiar figure on our streets and at our places of business, marketing his products and purchasing his supplies has gone into history.

The passing away of an old pioneer, born in the rugged hills of one of the old New England states and moving along "Westward as the course of Empire takes its flight," opens up a field for reflection. Mr. Dexter was a young man when the war with Mexico was fought, he was in the zenith of his manhood when the Confederates commenced firing on Fort Sumter (sic). He has seen the steam locomotive supplant the old stage coach and the pony express from ocean to ocean. He was attending to his humble duties as a husbandman, while a dozen new states west of the Mississippi river were admitted into the Union. He has said "Good bye old world I am going home" just at a time when the forces of electricity are about to revolutionize the social business and commercial world. He was one of the great legion of American citizens whose industry and patriotism permit us to call this country the greatest nation on earth. He has joined his ancestors in the "Undiscovered Country."

Deceased was buried from the Methodist church on Sunday morning last, the edifice being filled to overflowing to pay the last sad tribute to the deceased. The remains was (sic) brought to the church at 11 a. m. M. Rosbrough, I. M. Scott, A. J. Loomis, Jas. Cain, John Wagoner and S. P. Hughes acting as pall bearers. The services opened with a reading of a scriptural selection from the fifteenth chapter of first Corinthians by Rev. Mr. Whittlesey of the Congregational church. This was followed by an eloquent and telling sermon from Rev. Mr. White of the M. E. church, who dealt feelingly upon the many virtues of the deceased, and held forth the pattern of his life as an example to the many in our midst on the declining side of life. The remains were conveyed to their last resting place by a large number of sorrowing friends, who had been his associates through a decade of years.