Samuel Dinsmore

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Ottumwa Tri-Weekly Courier, June 21, 1906, page 2:
IOWA'S OLDEST MASON DEAD.
Samuel Dinsmore Passes Away In Fremont, Aged 90.
Fremont, June 15.- Samuel Dinsmore, who is the oldest Mason in the state of Iowa, died at the home of his brother, William Dinsmore, who resides in Fremont, early Wednesday. "Uncle Sammy," as he was called, was made a Mason in Newark, O., May 23, 1840, and ever since has been an ardent and faithful member of the Institution. He was born May 30, 1816, and has lived a few days past his ninetieth year. The funeral will be preached at the Baptist church by Rev. Hopton at 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon. The Masonic fraternity will take charge of the remains, and interment will be made in the Fremont cemetery according to the usual ritualistic custom.

Fremont Gazette
Thursday, June 22, 1906:
Samuel Dinsmore was born in Pennsylvania May 30, 1816, and died at the home of his brother, William Dinsmore, in Fremont, Iowa, on June 13, 1906, aged 90 years and 13 days.
When he was a small child his parents immigrated to Ohio and at the age of sixteen years his parents and one sister were taken from him, there deaths resulting from cholera, leaving eight children to be cared for. To Samuel fell the care of the family and his father being a poor man it became necessary for him to find homes for them, which he did, and lived to see all of them grown up and respected in the communities where they lived. He was faithful to the trust committed to his care.
In 1840 he was married to Miss Sarah Ann Shepherd and they lived together for 55 years. No Children ever came to their home and with her death in 1895 he was left alone.
He emigrated from Ohio to Iowa in 1866, living in Martinsburg, Iowa, until 1893, when he removed to Fremont where he since resided.
In 1895 his wife died and since that time he has made his home with his brother William. Since her death he has been of a restless nature; not contented in one place, but always desiring a change. For a time he was with Capt. A. G. Dinsmore in Waupaca, Wis., and later with a sister, Mrs. Kate Wilson of Newark, Ohio, but old ties drew him back and he returned to Fremont.
It was a sorrow for him to part with many old friends who departed before he was called to rest. He has been a familiar figure on the streets of Fremont until the last year when he became to feeble to be around town much.
Early in life he united with the M.E. church and remained in that faith until he came to Iowa, when he and his wife united with the Baptist church.
In June, 1840, he was initiated into the Masonic Lodge, No. 97, of Newark, Ohio, and since that time has been a loyal supporter of the Masonic Fraternity and all connected there with. At the time of his death he was probably the oldest Mason in Iowa, having belonged to the order for 66 years. About three years ago he became a member of the Eastern Star lodge of Fremont, and although not permitted to attend often he was always interested in the welfare and prosperity of the Chapter.
He is survived by two brothers and one sister, all of whom are up in years: Capt. A.G. Dinsmore, of Wanpaca, Wis., who is 73 years old; Wm. Dinsmore of Fremont, who is 84 years old, and Mrs. Kate Wilson of Newark, Ohio, who is 82. Besides these many other relatives and friends will miss his presence.
He was a loyal friend and worthy the friendship of all.
The funeral occurred this afternoon at the Baptist church, Rev. Robert R. Hoptou, pastor of the church conducting the services and his remains were laid to rest in the Fremont cemetery.
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Samuel Dinsmore write-up in the 1880 book History of Keokuk County:
DINSMORE, SAMUEL., carriage and wagon-maker, Martinsburgh; born May 30, 1816, in Mifllin county, Pennsylvania; his parents moved to Ohio in 1817; here he was educated in the common schools and lived till 1857, when he came to Iowa and located where he now lives; he holds the confidence of his neighbors where he lives, as he has been elected justice of the peace for three terms, which office he now holds; he owns a nice comfortable home, where he lives, upon which he has quite an extensive vineyard, which is a source of revenue to him; also a shop where he works at his trade most of his time, always finding plenty to do at his door; he was left an orphan at the ageseventeen, and being the eldest of the family, had the care of his younger brothers, two of them learning the trade with him; he was married February 13, 1840, to Miss Sarah A. Sheppard, a native of Ohio; they have no children.