Person Page - 1386

Harold Beamish and Mary Renwick Were Married in Chicago
Their friends in Sycamore and vicinity, where they have passed their younger years, were much interested in the marriage of Attorney Harold L. Beamish of Aurora and Miss Mary Renwick. 130 Mason Court, Sycamore, which was solemnized in Chicago yesterday, Monday, March 29.

The ceremony was performed by Rev. James O'May, former Sycamore pastor in the parsonage of the Sheridan Road Methodist church. Mr. Merritt J. Little and Miss Mary Organ, both of Sycamore, ?stood up" with the young couple.

The bride is a graduate of the Sycamore High school class of 1921, and of Northern Illinois State Teachers College, 1923, and has taught in the South Lake street school, Aurora, for the last two years.

Mr. Beamish graduated from the Sycamore High School, 1918, and from Northwestern University Law College, 1923, and was admitted to practice befor (sic) the Supreme Court of Illinois on April 12, 1923. He is associated in the practice of law with Alschuler, Putnam, Flannigan & Johnson in Aurora.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Beamish are well known as young people of high ambitions and agreeable personality and have many friends and admirers in Sycamore.

After a short tour they will make their home in Aurora.⁵

The Maid of Honour and Best Man were Harley Renwick. Her parents were listed as Mrs. H. H. Renwick.²

Survived by his wife, Winnie Renwick. Survivor(s): H. James Patterson, John R. Patterson and Marion Fatterfield (sic). Predeceased by his parents: Fred Patterson and Mrs. Fred Patterson.⁴

Winifred Renwick and Harold Patterson Wed
Miss Winifred Renwick, daughter of Mrs. H. H. Renwick, was united in marriage to Mr. Harold Patterson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Patterson, at the home of the bride on Mason court in this city, on Wednesday evening at 8:30 o'clock. The ceremony was performed before only members of the family and a few intimate friends by Rev. Mr. Hope of Rock Falls, a friend of the family. The home was prettily decorated with carnations and ferns. The bride was attired in white net and carried a corsage bouquet of white roses. She was attended by Miss Edna Long of Joliet who wore a crepe gown of light green and carried flowers. Harley Renwick, brother of the bride, acted as best man. Harley Renwick, brother of the bride, acted as best man. A luncheon of three courses was served. After s short tour Mr. and Mrs. Patterson will be at home on a farm owned and conducted by the groom at Genoa.

They are worthy young people who begin life together with every assurance of much happiness.²

Dead A Week On Kitchen Floor
     Asphyxiation Caused Death Ed. Van Dusen.
     Verdict At Inquest
   [:NB:] Member of Well Known Pioneer Family Here, Who Had Disappeared For A Week, Is Found By A Neighbor Dead at His Home on East Sycamore Street
   [:NB:] "Accidental death by asphyxiation caused from breathing illuminating gas escaping from a kitchen stove," was the verdict rendered by a coroner's jury yesterday, Monday, afternoon in Kebil's undertaking parlors after an investigation was made into the death of Edward Van Dusen of Sycamore.
     Van Dusen, all his life a resident of this community, was found lying on the kitchen floor of his home on East Sycamore street at 10 a.m. Sunday by Arthur Eddy, a neighbor. An examination revealed that he had been dead for over a week. His pet cat was also found was also found lifeless on a bed in an adjoining room.
     Gas Jet Was Found Open
    [:NB:]Theories of suicide, murder and death from poison liquor were abandoned, after a gas jet was found open on a small stove placed on a shelf directly above the spot where the body was found. All gas had been discharged from the meter, a prepaid type of mechanism, and the control valve had automatically closed, it was found in an investigation late Monday morning. This was the reason advanced for the lack of an odor of gas in the house when the body was found.
     
Seven persons took the witness stand at the inquest.
     
The first was Arthur Eddy, a next door neighbor who discovered the body. He stated that he had not seen Van Dusen since a week ago Sunday, and that thinking he might be sick, went to the home. He found the back door open, the rest of the house closed. He saw the body on the kitchen floor. A minute examination revealed to him that the body was lifeless. Deputy Sheriff Fritz Dolder was summoned.
     Testimony of Deputy Sheriff Dolder
     Dolder testified that with the exception of a small cut upon the forehead no other marks of violence could be found. The room was in good order, and from all indications death had come quickly and unexpectedly. It appeared that the man had died with acute pain registered on his face with his right hand clutching at his stomach, the deputy stated.
     Soon after the arrival of Deputy Dolder, William Van Dusen, living two miles north of Sycamore and who had associated with the deceased practically all his life, was notified. A search was made for any personal papers, but none was found. Edward Van Dusen is a nephew of William Van Dusen, the latter stated. Van Du-
     (continued on Page Six)
     sen stated that he had never known his nephew to be despondent or temperamental.
     That Van Dusen was in perfect health and in good spirits was brought out in testimony of Harry Adgate, also a neighbor of the deceased, who stated that Van Dusen and himself had gone hunting two weeks ago. In all respects Van Dusen showed no signs of despondency, Adgate stated.
     Following an examination, C. V. Kebil, the undertaker, testified that he believed death had come as the result of asphyxiation.
     Testimony of Gas Co. Head.
G. L. Sims, manager of the Illinois Northern Utilities company of DeKalb, stated on the stand that a new gas meter had been installed in the Van Dusen home on the Friday prior to the discovery of the body. He introduced W. C. Taylor of Sycamore, fitter for the gas company, who installed the new meter. Tayror said he entered the house Friday through the basement door after finding no response to his knocking. He noticed no odor of gas and removed the meter without hearing any noise in the house. He stated that every meter of the prepaid type was changed every five years for tests. There was no gas in the old meter when removed; and no gas from the new meter had been used, it was revealed in the investigation yesterday.
     Edward Simon Renwick was the son of W. E. Renwick of Elgin and was born in December, 1883, on a farm near Sycamore. A few hours after his birth his mother died and he was taken by his mother's brother, William Van Dusen. He assumed the name of Van Dusen in later life.
     He was twice married. His first wife survives, and his second wife died four years ago. He is survived by his father and three half-brothers, R. L. Renwick of Niles, Mich., Percy I. Renwick of Chicago and Floyd F. Renwick of Oak Park.
     Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock p.m. Wednesday in the Methodist church in Sycamore, Rev. Charles Kelley officiating. The interment will be in Charter Grove cemetery.¹

William Van Dusen Dies At His Home In Charter Grove
Suffered Stroke Two Weeks Ago; Funeral Will Be Held Thursday
William Van Dusen. 68. passed away yesterday morning at his home in Charter Grove at 4:55 a. m. Fifteen days ago he suffered a stroke of paralysis which was followed by complications causing his death.
Mr. Van Dusen was born April 25, 1867 at the home where he died. He had always lived in the vicinity of Charter Grove and received his education in the schools there.

His parents were Simeon Van Dusen and Mary Jane Sibley, who preceded him in death; the father having passed away July 25, 1912 and the mother May 12, 1918. Mr. Van Dusen was born in Cuyahoga county, Ohio and Mrs. Van Dusen was born in Clarendon. N. Y. After coming to this state they lived on their farm in Charter Grove.

William Van Dusen married Miss Cora Listy at Sycamore Sept. 4, 1889. Three children were born to this union. Simeon Joseph Van Dusen, who lives on the home farm, Mrs. Grover Lucas also of Charter Grove and Guy Van Dusen of Chicago. The three children and their mother, Mrs. Cora Van Dusen survive. He leaves also two grand sons, Clifford and Donald Van Dusen and one great grand child. Robert Lee Van Dusen and one brother Frank Van Dusen all of this vicinity.

The funeral rites will be accorded at Charter Grove church at 2:30 o'clock Thursday afternoon, with Rev. James O'May of Western Springs officiating and burial will be made in the Charter Grove cemetery.⁴

Simeon VanDusen
     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.¹