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Note: He attended a one-room school and since there was no high school, he attended preparatory school at Illinois Wesleyan University. His father was partial to him because he was called to the ministery and therefore needed an education. Red Cross Chaplin, with the Northwestern Univ. Medical Unit in France and England, WWI. While in France, he was standing between two nurses who were killed by a split shell during target practice, this was his first narrow escape.He wrote many articles from the Northwestern Christian Advocate during that time. He was a great writer and lover of books. The family moved about every three years. Other children were Thomas Brooks Dancey and Marcia Harriet Dancey. Alice was the middle child, Marcia was born 1913. Tom was several years older. His papers and writings are held in the Dept. of Special Collections, Iowa State University Library From the catalog record of this collection: His sermons, articles, diaries and letters reveal spiritual sincerity and fearless honesty concerning social development and social action at a time when neither was understood nor popular. (He once had his picture in the paper with Jane Addams.) Obituary Rev. Jesse Samuel Dancey Page 128 1936 Conference Journal Rev. Jesse Samuel Dancey Jesse Samuel, son of Samuel and Frances Emma Dancey, was born in Fairbury, Illinois, August 25, 1876. He entered upon life eternal at four o'clock Tuesday afternoon, April 14, 1936. The time and place of his conversion was January 1891, in a country church, Lodemia, on McDowell Circuit, near Fairbury, Rev. J. H. Hobbs, pastor. He was licensed to preach at the same place in 1894. Before entering the ministry, he served as a teacher in Sunday school. On September 26, 1898, at Charleston, Illinois, being ordained the day before by Bishop william X. Ninde, he was received on trial in the Illinois Conference, and appointed pastor of Lucretia Chapel, Bloomington, Illinois. He was left without appointment to attend one of our schools 1899-1901. He graduated receiving his degree of A. B., in 1899; he graduated from the Boston School of Theology, in 1902, receiving his degree of S. T. B. and in 1910, the University of Chicago conferred on him the M. A. degree. Illinois Wesleyan University honored him with the degree of D. D. in 1916. In 1903, September 21st, he was ordained Elder at Quincy, Illinois, by Bishop Charles H. Fowler. He rendered valuable service for the church at Monticello, 1902-03; LeRoy, 1904; Bloomington: Lucretia Chapel, 1905-06; Danville: first church, 1907-08; in 1909 he held a Supernumerary relation: he was transferred to the Rock River Converence, and served Auburn Park, Chicago, 1910-14; Chicago: Englewood church, 1919-20; Rockford: Court Street. 1920-1925: he was transferred to the Northeast Ohio conference ans station in Canton: First church. 1926: Transferring to Saint Louis Conference, he was stationed in Saint Louis: Maple Avenue church, 1927-28: transferred to Des Moines Conference he was stationed in Ames: Collegiate, 1929-34; Keokuk: Trinity, 1935. But the places and years give only a faint idea of the man, the minister, the pastor and his worth and work. It is not easy to describe in words what manner of man he was, for like his Lord and Master, one had to know him intimately, to understand his fine talent, his brotherly spirit and capable ministry. He was an independent thinker and capable writer and capable preacher; he was man of most excellent judgment, high ideals, noble aspirations, a real brotherly spirit. He was unafraid in life, and dared to speak out his thoughts. His written messages, in reviews and advocates were charming in beauty of thought and richness of content. His brethren mourn, but their tears are mixed with joy and happy congratulations. why should we mourn when one we love goes to be crowned with glory supreme? Doctor Dancey has a very fine ministerial career. He was like other men, and yet not kike them at all. A deep thinker, he studied much, was conversant with the best in literature and books. But a something indefinable, in his makeup; a sweet and charming expression in his eyes, one cannot easily forget. Critical, yet determination shone in his glance, so one could not wish to forget him. This splendid persistency shone brightly through those nineteen wonderful weeks, in which he watch and waited, longing to go no doubt, where mystical souls solve deep mental problems, and resolve their final conclusions. And so, on that Easter morning, he got up from his bed of anguish and pain, his eyes shining with their determined purpose to give his final message. Some of its closing sentences would fit nicely into our Conference tribute to his worth, his faith, his immortal hope. In just two days, like one tired of earth with all its endearments, and its sweet friendships, he went triumphantly to be face to face with his Heavenly Father. On Tuesday afternoon his redeemed spirit left the body and went home. And we think of him now as among the bloodwashed ransomed who dwell forever with the Lord. In compliance with his expressed desire his mortal body was reduced to ashes, carried by loving hands of longtime friends and strewn upon the grave of his earthly father in the cemetery at Fairbury, Illinois. On Friday afternoon at three o'clock in his own loved Trinity church in Keokuk, a beautiful service was held. Rev. J. W. Poole was in charge; Rev. Guy J. Fansher, Superintendent of district: Doctor Edmondson, Superintendent of Boone district, and many of his Iowa-Des Moines conference brethren were there. Two of his most intimate friends during life paid beautiful tributes to his splendid character. There were: Dr. R. H. Schuett of Park Ridge church, Chicago and Dr. T. N. Ewing, of First church, Springfield, Illinois. Mrs. Florence Wright Schouten sang his favorite hymns: "O God, Our Help in Ages Past" and "How Firm a Foundation". It was a fitting service in appreciation of our deceased brother and friend. he was united in marriage to Miss Lua Marias Akers, at Bloomington, Illinois, September 5, 1901, by Dr. Edgar M. Smith. three children were born to this union; Thomas Brooks, Lua Alice and Marcia Harriett. In their sorrow god is very present to help and give an assurance of blessed hope beyond. Obituary Reverend Jesse Dancey Fairbury Blade, Fairbury, Illinois April 19, 1936 Rev. Jesse Dancey Word was received here Monday evening of the death of Rev. Jesse Dancey at his home in Keokuk, Iowa, his passing rather unexpected. He had been in poor health from heart trouble from some months, but recently had been improving, and had filled his pulpit on Sunday, and it is believed the strain was too great for his physical condition. Deceased was a son of Samuel and Frances E. Dancey, and was born at Fairbury on August 25, 1876. He received his education in the city schools, later receiving his degrees from Illinois Wesleyan University, and Boston University. He entered the ministry in the Central Illinois conference, his first charge being the Park M. E. church in Bloomington, later holding pastorates in Danville, Rockford, Chicago, St. Louis, Wesley Foundation at Ames, Iowa and Keokuk, Iowa. He was united in marriage to Miss Lura Akers at Bloomington in 1901, who, with the following children, survives him: Thomas, of Detroit; Alice, of Cleveland, and Marcia, of Chicago. He is survived by two brothers, Walter, of Chicago, and Prof. Lloyd Dancey, of Waukesha, Wis. and a sister, Mrs. Jennie Walker, of Waukesha. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity with rank of a 32nd degree Mason. During the World War he served as chaplain in French Base Hospital 30 for a year and a half. Mr. Dancey was a forceful, pleasing speaker, and also gave much time to writing, contributing many articles to the religious press, the last of which, �Immortal Man in a Mortal Society, � appeared in the Christian Century recently, a fitting close to a life-long philosophy of the builders of a better world for the nourishment of a good life for all men. Funeral services will be held today (Friday) at Keokuk, Ia., Rev. Thomas Ewing, of the Illinois conference, conducting the Service. The remains are to be cremated and the ashes brought to this city on Saturday for interment in Graceland cemetery. Came home from the war: First Name: Jesse Last Name: Dancey Ethnicity: U.S.A. Last Place of Residence: Chicago, Ill. Date of Arrival: August 14, 1918 Age at Arrival: 41y Gender: M Marital Status: M Ship of Travel: Chicago Port of Departure: Bordeaux Manifest Line Number: 0016
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