Peter Johnson VanVranken & the County Auditor

As mentioned in the previous blog, Patty Johnson married Eldert Van Vranken – Eldert the son of Gerrit Van Vranken & Geertruy Visscher (you would be correct in connecting Geertruy to the hamlet Vischer Ferry in Clifton Park, NY).

Of their 3 children, only Peter Johnson Van Vranken survived and thanks to a book published in 1878 called "The History of Marshall County, Iowa" published by the Western Historical Company, we get a glimpse into his life and family

pg 575

Martha Hamm was the daughter of Henry Hamm and Electa Gilmore and she died in 1894.

Their eldest, Gertrude Marie, married Civil War Veteran Cpl Warrington Dobson and had 3 children, with only one surviving to adulthood.  

courtesy of Thoran - Find A Grave

courtesy of Thoran - Find A Grave

Adelbert Warrington Dobson, was married 3 times and was the County Auditor

courtesy of Thoran - Find A Grave

Times Republican, 25 May 1916

Dobson's Illness Has Fatal Ending

County Auditor Succumbs to Peritonitis Following Appendicitis

Was Well-Liked and Competent Official

Was Serving on First Term, and Was Candidate on Republican Ticket for Renomination - Was Native of County - Funeral Saturday Afternoon from Presbyterian Church

Illness of less than a week, which began with an acute attack of appendicitis a week ago tonight, resulted in the death at 1:30 this morning of County Auditor A W Dobson.  Mr Dobson died at the Deaconess Hospital where he was removed Sunday for a surgical operation following the rupture of the appendix.  Death was due to general peritonitis.  Mr Dobson called a physician on the morning following his attack and on Saturday morning after a consultation of physicians, an operation was advised.  Mr Dobson refused to consent to the operation, however, Saturday night the appendix ruptured, causing an abscess, and Sunday afternoon, the operation was performed in the last hope of saving the patient's life.  Peritonitis resulted, and the patient's condition had been extremely serious from the start.

First Term As Auditor

Mr Dobson was serving his first term as auditor, the second year of the term dating from Jan 1.  Mr Dobson was a candidate for renomination on the republican ticket before the June primary, without opposition.  He has made a competent official and was well liked by patrons of the office generally.  he was elected at the general election Nov 3, 1914.  Prior to assuming the office of auditor, Mr Dobson had served four years as deputy to Auditor A H Walker, and for a year had been deputy to former Auditor Erastus Cornell.  Before entering the auditor's office, Mr Dobson had been assistant to City Engineers William Bremner, CA Baughman and W H Steiner.

Was Native of County

Adelbert W Dobson was a native of this county, having been born on the farm of his father, the late Warrington Dobson, in Timber Creek Township, Feb 6, 1873.  Following the death of his father, his mother, Mrs Gertrude M Dobson, moved to this city, and since 1885 the family home has been here.  Mr Dobson had been thrice married.  His first wife was Miss Florence E Lair, of this city, a daughter of the late D W Lair, the wedding taking place Dec 25. 1896.  Mrs Dobson died Jan 25, 1900 and three years later, Mr Dobson took Miss Hessie May Andrews, daughter of Mr and Mrs M E Andrews, as his bride.  The second Mrs Dobson died March 23, 1908.  On Nov 7, 1912, at Eldora, Mr Dobson was united in marriage with Mrs Helen Lamer, daughter of the late Allen Putman of Eldora.  She survives Mr Dobson with her infant son, John Howard, aged 11 months.  Mr Dobson also leaves two daughters, Frances and Gertrude by the first wife.  His aged mother is also living.  One brother and a sister died in infancy.  Mr Dobson was a member of the Presbyterian church, in which he was both an elder and a trustee.

Funeral Saturday Afternoon

Following a short prayer service at the Dobson home, 109 West State Street, funeral services will be held from the Presbyterian church at 2:30, Saturday afternoon.  The church will be opened to friends at 1:30.  Rev J P Linn will be in charge, and burial will be in Riverside.  In memory of Mr Dobson, all the county offices will close at noon Saturday for the remainder of the day.