| Page content last modified: | September 24, 2007, added Irvin's middle name, Henry's middle name and date of birth, corrected Charles' middle initial in 1920 census transcription.
September 5, 2005, photo of Nannie, revised text, 1930 census, link to Huff's parents. June 24, 2004, multiple updates, including additional information on the children, marriage license, census transcriptions. |
| MAJORVILLE CEMETERY HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS |
NANCY E. "NANNIE" DENNISON (nee McDONALD) 1855-1949
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February 22, 1928 courtesy of Maxine Dennison
Huff Dennison of the west country whose severe illness we recorded last week, was called away from his intense suffering about eight o'clock on Tuesday morning. Mr. Dennison was a pioneer of this community being at the time of his death nearly 83 years of age. His health has been good for one of his years, being able to do his farm work and chores about his home with the help of the grandson Irvin* up until last Friday, a week ago. At that time he was stricken with neurities in his breast and arm and in a few hours other complications set in about the heart and kidney and bladder, since which time he was in terrible pain a misery, but at times during the week he was free from intense pain and talked to all the different members of his immediate family of his fatal illness, of the future plans for the ones left behind, and of his readiness and willingness to meet Our Father who art in heaven. This family consists of the loving wife, two sons Irvin of Quincy and Henry of Sciota, Ill., and two daughters Mrs. Ethel Jackson of near Carthage and Mrs. Hattie Lovely of north of Fountain Green, and three grandsons, the eldest Irvin son of Ervin*, whose mother was Lizzie Munson, deceased, was taken into this home of his grandparents, when only a small boy, and has been tenderly and watchfully reared by this aged couple, and only last year his [Huff's] aged sister Mrs. Sarah Dennison Ebert, of Fountain Green, came to this home and shared in love and protection so willing given to all. Mr. Dennison was a carpenter by trade and was of a quiet and unassuming nature. A neighbor among his neighbors and a friend to all. *Huff's son was Irvin R. Dennison. Irvin and his wife, Lizzie Munson, were the parents of Ivan, the grandson mentioned above.
February 29, 1928
Michael Huffman Dennison passed away at his home in Hancock township on the morning of February 21, 1928, aged 82 years, 1 month and 19 days. He was the youngest son of John B. and Leah (Hykus) Dennison, natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where he was born on January 1, 1846. Of this immediate family there is but one member remaining, Mrs. Sarah Ebert of this community. These good people emigrated westward in 1849, and after a short stay at Canton, Ill., located in Hancock township, where Mr. Huffman Dennison has held continuous residence. On January 11, 1877 he was united in marriage to Nannie E. McDonald. Five children were born to them, one son died in infancy. Sorrowing with the bereft wife and mother today, are Irvin Dennison of Quincy, Henry of Sciota, Mrs. Ethel Jackson of Carthage, and Mrs. Hattie Lovely of LaHarpe. There are also three grandsons, Ivan Dennison, Lowell and Wayne Lovely. For more than half a century this worthy couple have journeyed happily together, in full accord with each other's plans and purposes, and finding their chief joy in the happy, congenial companionship of their children and their children's children. To the one grandson, Ivan, they opened their heart and home, upon the death of his beloved mother some ten years ago, their affectionate care being well rewarded by his kindness and helpfulness, which has brought much good cheer and gladness to their declining days. Mr. Dennison has lived long, well and worthily, "with malice toward none, and with charity for all" he moved in his quiet unassuming way amoung his fellowmen, winning merited respect and regard. He followed farming as his chief industry, also working at the carpenter trade, and by honorable, upright dealing in all business affairs, received a large degree of esteem and confidence. For a year and more his waning health and strength have given his devoted family much anxiety, although the passing winter has brought little cause for alarm, until some two weeks ago, when a sudden and severe attack of neuritis came. Intense pain and distress was follow by complications, which skilled medical attention could but temporarily relieve. His sufferings were patiently borne, and made more bearable by the kind and thoughtful ministry of family and friends. Mr. Dennison was reared in the United Brethren faith, to which he strongly adhered, and as he neared the "valley of the shadow" gave confident testimony to the sustaining power and presence of the Lord in whom he had believed. With the life tide fast ebbing, he gathered his loved ones about him, and urgently counseled them to so live, that they might be a reunited family in the "many mansioned" home to which he was hastening, and with his blessing and benediction for each, passed to his reward. M. W. B. Funeral services were held at the Majorville church on Thursday at 11 o'clock, conducted by Rev. E. L. Fahnestock. Burial in adjoining cemetery. A quartette composed of Mrs. Sibert, Miss Adda Spangler, Leland Hobart and Clem Duffy, with Ellen Lenix as pianist, sang very bearutifully some select songs. A large gathering of relatives, friends and neighbors were assembled together at this hour to pay their last respects to one who had lived so many years among them. Lovely, fresh flowers completely covered the casket.
We desire to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to our neighbors and friends, also the choir for the kindly assistance in every way rendered us during the illness and death of our loved one.
Vol. V, Number 26, February 29, 1928 courtesy of Maxine Dennison
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Mrs. Huff Dennison
Friday, July 8, 1949 courtesy of Maxine Dennison
 John B. McDonald & Harriet Talbot (parents) |
| Huff and Nannie were married at Fountain Green by the Reverend Thomas M. Walker.Marriage License (76k)
The Dennison children were probably all born at the family home in Hancock Township.
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enumerated July 24, 1860, dwelling #3330 John Denison, 45, male, farmer, value of real estate 1000, value of personal estate 500, born PA
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enumerated July 28, 1860, dwelling #3582 John McDonald, 35, male, farmer, value of real estate 2000, value of personal estate 800, |
enumerated June 13, 1870, dwelling #17 Dennison, John, 61, male, white, farmer, born PA, male citizen of the U.S. aged 21 or more
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enumerated June 4, 1870, dwelling #120 McDonald, John, 49, male, white, farmer, value of real estate 1000, born PA, male citizen of the U.S. aged 21 or more
Nannie is missing from this listing. If the 10 year old "male" was, in fact, Martha, then Mary Belle is also missing. This may have simply been an enumerator's transcription error. Another possiblity is that they were boarding elsewhere while they attended school. |
enumerated June 10, 1880, dwelling #68 Denison, Michael H, white, male, 35, married, farmer, born PA, both parents born PA
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enumerated June 2, 1900, dwelling #22 (portions of this listing are illegible) Denison, Michel H, head, white, male, Jan 1846, 54, married for 24 years, born PA, both parents born PA, farmer, months not employed - 0, could read, write and speak English, owned his farm home free of mortgage, farm schedule 22 Nancy ? E, wife, white, female, May 1855, 45, married for 24 years; mother of 5 children, 4 living; born PA, both parents born PA, could read, write and speak English _____ R, son, white, male, Dec 187?, 22, single, born IL, both parents born PA, laborer, months not employed - 4, could read, write and speak English [Given name obscured, this was Irvin.] _____, son, white, male, Aug ? 18??, 19 ?, single, born IL, both parents born PA, laborer, months not employed - 4, could read, write and speak English [Name obscured, this was Henry.] [continued on next page] Dennison, Emily E, daughter, white, female, Oct 1884, 15, single, born IL, both parents born PA, at school for 8 months, could read, write and speak English Hariet L, daughter, white, female, July 1892, 7, single, born IL, both parents born PA, at school for 8 months, could read, write and speak English
enumerated April 27 - 28, 1910, dwelling #106 Dennison, Huffman, head, male, white, 65, married (1st) for 31 years, born PA, both parents born PA, spoke English, farmer, general farm, employer, could read and write, owned his farm home free of mortgage, farm schedule 104 Nannie, wife, female, white, 54, married (1st) for 31 years; mother of 5 children, 4 living; born PA, both parents born PA, spoke English, could read and write Henry, son, male, white, 22, single, born IL, both parents born PA, spoke English, carpenter, house, employee, whether out of work on April 15, 1910 - no, number of weeks out of work during 1909 - 0, could read and write Hattie, daughter, female, white, 17, single, born IL, both parents born PA, spoke English, could read and write, attended school after Sept. 1, 1909
enumerated February 19, 1920, dwelling #93, farm Denison, Michael H, head, paying on a mortgage, male, white, 75, married, could read and write, born PA, both parents born PA, spoke English, farm schedule 82 Nanie E, wife, female, white, 64, married, could read and write, born PA, both parents born PA, spoke English Irvin, son, male, white, 42, widower, could read and write, born IL, both parents born PA, spoke English, painter, general painting, working on own account Henry A, son, male, white, 38, single, could read and write, born IL, both parents born PA, spoke English, depot agent, steam railroad, working for wages Charles I, grandson, male, white, 8, single, attended school after Sept. 1, 1919, born IL, both parents born IL |
enumerated April 15, 1930, dwelling #35, 213 B. Street Dennison, Nannie, head, renter, monthly rental 15, did not own a radio, female, white, 73, widow, could read and write, born PA, both parents born PA, spoke English |
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