DEWEY, Ralph E. - b. April 30, 1882 - d. November 10, 1927

[genealogynut]

Howard Courant
November 17, 1927

Ralph E. Dewey was a son of E. G. and Jennie Robb Dewey, born in Elk County, April 30, 1882, died at Howard, November 10, 1927. He grew up in this county, was educated in the country school and also attended the Howard and later the Moline schools.  He was married about fifteen years ago, and is survived by his wife and two children, a son and a daughter, and also by his aged father, E. G. Dewey and sister, Miss Ellen Dewey, who now live at Berryville, Arkansas.

Ralph was elected Clerk of the District Court in 1920, and was twice re-elected.  He was a popular official and stood well with the bar and the court.

Ralph Dewey, while not highly educated was an omniverous reader, and had delved into science, poetry, history, literature of all sorts, and being endowed with a remarkably retentive memory, he neverf forgot anything he read.  He was an interesting conversationalist, and could recall, repeat, and recite by memory a prodigious amount of the things he had read.

He was a loyal friend, and was the embodiment of kindness and charity.  No neighbor ever called on him and was denied anything asked for.  He was especially kind to and thoughful of the sick, and was prompt to visit or look after the needs and wishes of the old and afflicted.  If all the people to whom Ralph Dewey had extended help, kindness and assistance could be assembled in one place, it would be a bigger concourse of people than ever assembled in Elk County. It is a sad though that in his tragic death and the cloud which gathered over his last days that so many who had been the recipients of his kindness did not respond to his needs, and comfort what must have been his mental sufferings.

The funeral at Moline Sunday afternoon was a beautiful service.  The church was crowded and many could not gain admission.  The pastor, Rev. O. W. Dewey, spoke eloquently, tenderly, impressively.  There was no obituary read and no personal allusion to the dead, but there were comforting words and beautiful thoughts expressed.  The music was by a male quartette from Howard-- Messrs. Fred and Will Barackman, Ben Eby and Frank Dobyns.  Burial was in Moline cemetery, where Ralph's mother is buried.

Note:  There is also a newspaper article regarding Ralph on the Good Old Days board.