Thirteenth Generation

2738. Robert Gurdon Dennis was born on 15 April 1883 in Montezuma, Poweshiek Co., Iowa, USA. He appeared in the census in 1885 in Jackson, Poweshiek Co., Iowa, USA. He appeared in the census in 1930 in DeKalb, DeKalb Co., Illinois, USA. Robert appeared in the census in 1940 in Sycamore, DeKalb Co., Illinois, USA. He died on 6 December 1958 at the age of 75 in Sycamore, DeKalb Co., Illinois, USA. He was buried in Elmwood Cmtry., Sycamore, DeKalb Co., Illinois, USA. Robert appeared in the census 1900/1910 in DeKalb, DeKalb Co., Illinois, USA. Iowa, County Births
Name: Robert Dennis
Event Type: Birth
Event Date: 15 Apr 1883
Event Place: Montezuma, Poweshiek, Iowa, USA
Gender: Male
Father's Name: G.H. Dennis
Mother's Name: Edith Chatfield
GS Film number: 1028406
Digital Folder Number: 004341392
Image Number: 00119
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Find A Grave Memorial# 61613105
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Obituary
December 9, 1958

Death Takes Robert Dennis

Robert Gurdon Dennis, 75, prominently known and honored resident of this community, passed away early Saturday morning at the local hospital, following an illness of several weeks.
Mr. Dennis was a former Sycamore businessman, having owned and operated a feed and grain store in the location where Taylor-Nash Sales is now located. He later farmed for 22 years northwest of DeKalb, and upon retiring from farming in 1932 he became a feed salesman, and was still engaged in that field of work when stricken with his last illness.
He was born April 15, 1883 in Ottawa, the son of Gurden and Edith Chatfield Dennis. At the age of two years he moved with his parents to the rural area of Electric park Corners, growing to mature years there. He attended the Coltonville and Sycamore Schools.
On August 26, 1903, he was married in Sycamore to Claire Maude Austin. Their early married years were lived here, when Mr. Dennis operated his feed business, later moving to the rural area of DeKalb, where they farmed for 22 years, then resided in DeKalb for one years, and in 1932 returned to Sycamore, where the home has since been made.
Possessed of the finest traits of character, Mr. Dennis was highly respected by all who knew him. He was civic minded and always interested in the better things in life. He loved his home and family and was active in Church work for many years. During his residence in the DeKalb area he was a member of the Congregational Church in that city, and since coming to Sycamore he has been a faithful member of the Federated Church, having served as deacon and usher for several years.
He was a member of the DeKalb County Farm Bureau and of the Royal Arcanum Lodge, having received his 50 year pin. He had also served as treasurer of the Northwest Shipping Association. Mr. Dennis was an ardent lover of flowers and cultivated rare species of gladioli blooms, also choice varieties of roses. He was also a very interested member of the Sycamore Garden Club.
The Golden Wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis, which was celebrated five years ago, was a beautiful and memorable occasion.
Left to mourn his demise are his devoted wife and three devoted children, Margaret Dennis Tomlinson of Boston, Mass., Robert Austin Dennis of Sycamore and Audrey Dennis Soli of Genoa; also five grandchildren, Dean Tomlinson and Margaret Ann Tomlinson Morrow, both of Boston, Mass., Robert James Dennis and Donna Carolyn Dennis, both of Sycamore, and Clairann Soli of Genoa; two great-grandchildren, Dean Tomlinson, Jr., and Deborah Ann Morrow of Boston, Mass.; and three sister, Miss Grace Dennis of Sycamore, Mrs. C. W. (Myrtle) Lundberg of DeKalb and Mrs. George (Gertrude) Groves of rural DeKalb; and several nieces and nephews. His parents and a grandchild, Janet Dennis, predeceased him.
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USA Census, 1910
Name: Robert G Dennis
Event Place: De Kalb, DeKalb, Illinois
District: 17
Gender: Male
Age: 27
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Relationship to Head of Household: Head
Birth Year (Estimated): 1883
Birthplace: Iowa
Immigration Year:
Father's Birthplace: New York
Mother's Birthplace: England
Sheet Number and Letter: 7B
Household ID: 133
GS Film number: 1374297
Digital Folder Number: 004328179
Image Number: 00649
Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
Robert G Dennis Head M 27 Iowa
Maud C Dennis Wife F 28 Illinois
Margaret E Dennis Daughter F 4 Illinois
Robert D Dennis Son M 0 Illinois
USA Census, 1930
Name: Robert G Dennis
Event Place: Dekalb, DeKalb, Illinois
District: 0016
Gender: Male
Age: 47
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Relationship to Head of Household: Head
Birth Year (Estimated): 1883
Birthplace: Iowa
Father's Birthplace: New York
Mother's Birthplace: England
Sheet Number and Letter: 8B
Household ID: 179
Line Number: 60
GS Film number: 2340245
Digital Folder Number: 004584591
Image Number: 00353
Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
Robert G Dennis Head M 47 Iowa
C Maude Dennis Wife F 47 Illinois
Robert A Dennis Son M 20 Illinois
L Audrey Dennis Daughter F 15 Illinois
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USA Census, 1940
Name: Robert G Dennis
Event Place: Ward 2, Sycamore, Sycamore Township, DeKalb, Illinois
Gender: Male
Age: 56
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Relationship to Head of Household: Head
Birthplace: Iowa
Birth Year (Estimated): 1884
Last Place of Residence: Same House
District: 19-7
Family Number: 3
Sheet Number and Letter: 1A
Line Number: 6
Affiliate Publication Number: T627
Affiliate Film Number: 793
Digital Folder Number: 005459534
Image Number: 00132
Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
Robert G Dennis Head M 56 Iowa
Maud A Dennis Wife F 57 Illinois
Audrey Dennis Daughter F 25 Illinois

Robert Gurdon Dennis and Claire Maude Austin were married on 26 August 1903 in DeKalb Co., Illinois, USA. Claire Maude Austin was born on 6 March 1883 in Sycamore, DeKalb Co., Illinois, USA. She appeared in the census in 1910 in DeKalb, DeKalb Co., Illinois, USA. She appeared in the census in 1930 in DeKalb, DeKalb Co., Illinois, USA. Claire appeared in the census in 1940 in Sycamore, DeKalb Co., Illinois, USA. She died on 14 November 1962 at the age of 79 in Sycamore, DeKalb Co., Illinois, USA. She was buried in Elmwood Cmtry., Sycamore, DeKalb Co., Illinois, USA. Father's Birthplace: Illinois
Mother's Birthplace: Norway
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Find A Grave Memorial# 61779825
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November 16, 1962

Obituary

Services For Maude Dennis Saturday

Final rites are to be accorded at 2 p.m. Saturday from the local Federated Church for Mrs. Maude Austin Dennis, 79, prominently known in Sycamore and throughout the county and a highly regarded resident of this community for many years. She passed away Wednesday noon at the Sycamore Municipal Hospital, following an extended illness. The Rev. Donald S. Bourne will officiate and interment will take place in the Elmwood Cemetery.
Friends may call at the Coultrip Funeral Home from 2 to 4 p.m. this Friday and from 7 to 9 this evening, to pay their final respects.
Mrs. Dennis, long active in DeKalb County politics, women's Clubs activities and church work, merited the distinction of being the first lady bailiff to serve for courts of DeKalb County, being appointed in 1939 by Judge William J Fulton and Sheriff William Eunnells. This was the highlight of her political career, and she served most efficiently in that capacity until May of 1959, when ill health forced her to resign.
Mrs. Dennis was especially active in Republican party activities since women gained the right to vote. She organized and was the first president of the DeKalb County Republican Women's Club.
In the 1920's while residing on a farm near DeKalb, Mrs. Dennis founded the DeKalb County Farm Woman's Club and was president of the club, which remained active in DeKalb County until the Home Bureau was organized and took over its activities.
During the same period, Mrs. Dennis and several others established a Farmers' Market in DeKalb area for farmers and their wives to sell produce and baked goods, this being long before fruit and vegetable markets were established.
Mrs. Dennis was also very active in both the Congregational Church at DeKalb and the Sycamore Federated Church, having served as Sunday School superintendent in the Federated Church, and also taught there for a number of years. At one time she was president of the DeKalb County Council of Religious Education.
Despite her many activities, she always took great interest in her home and family.
She was an ardent lover of flowers and devoted many pleasant hours in cultivating them. Especially of rare beauty were her roses, which commanded the admiration from local people as well as many out-of-town visitors. Mrs. Dennis had been active in both DeKalb and Sycamore Garden Clubs. She also was a faithful and longtime member of the Potter women's Relief Corps.
Born in Sycamore, March 6, 1883, she was the daughter of William and Margaret Phelps Austin. She was educated in the Sycamore schools and was graduated from the local high school in 1901, later attending Normal School in DeKalb, which is now known as Northern Illinois University. On August 26, 1903, she was united in marriage to Robert Gurden Dennis of Sycamore. They farmed for a number of years near DeKalb area, moving to Sycamore 28 years ago.
Left to mourn her demise are her three devoted children, Mrs. Alvin (Margaret) Tomlinson of Boston, Mass., Robert Austin Dennis of Sycamore and Mrs. Theodore (Audrey) Soli of Genoa; five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; and two brothers, William Austin of Rockton and Charles Austin of Mountain Home, Ark.
She was preceded in death by her husband on Dec. 6, 1958, also by her parents, four sisters and one granddaughter, Janet Dennis.
A memorial fund is being established for Mrs. Dennis, and contributions may be left with George Dutton at the National Bank and Trust Company in Sycamore.
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November 21, 1962

Obituary

Final Services Held For Mrs. Maude Dennis

Beautifully impressive were the final rites accorded Saturday afternoon from the Federated Church, with the Rev. Donald S. Bourne officiating, for Mrs. R. G. (Maude) Dennis, of Sycamore, distinguished resident of DeKalb County, and for many years active in Republican party circles, who passed away Wednesday noon at the Sycamore Muncipal Hospital. Her favorite passages of scripture were read by Rev. Bourne, and her favorite songs, "Somewhere a Voice is Calling" and "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere," were effectively sung by George Dean.
The numerous lovely floral tributes evidenced the love and high esteem of hosts of friends for the deceased, whose life was so fully lived in the interest and welfare of her home, family, community, county and state.
Many out-of-town people traveled to Sycamore to pay their final respects, coming from Waukesha, Wis.; Chicago, Oak Park, Rockford, Lombard, Kings, Rockton, DeKalb, Genoa and other nearby towns.
Her older daughter, Margaret, and husband, the Alvin Tomlinsons, motored here from Boston, Mass., and are remaining for several days at the family home. There were many nieces, nephews and cousins in attendance at the funeral, also Mrs. Dennis' brother, William Austin and son, Norman and daughter, Betty from Rockton.
Serving as pallbearers were Judge Ross E. Millet, Sheriff Arthur Anderosn, Gene Diesz, Ralph Joiner, and Victor Johnson.
Members of the Potter Women's Relief Corps carried flowers.
Assisting at the family home in the serving of the noon luncheon Saturday and the lunch following the graveside services, were members of the Potter women's Relief Corps and members of the Della Rebekah Lodge in Genoa.

Robert Gurdon Dennis and Claire Maude Austin had the following children: