Emma L. Lane, daughter of William and Lavina Lane, was born May 11, 1850, at Kanesville, Iowa, where the city of Council Bluffs now stands.
About six yeas later, her parents died only four days apart while on the Mormon trek to Utah. They were buried in coffins made of the bark of trees and lie in unknown graves.
Emma was taken to Denver, Colorado, and lived with her sister, Mrs. James O'Banion. Her sister died in 1860, and Mr. O'Banion took Emma with his children to Salt Lake City, but returned with them to Woodbine, Iowa, in 1862.
The next year they came to Dunlap where Emma lived for two years with Mr. Jasper O'Banion. She later entered the home of Mrs. Cornelius Dunham. After spending a year in school at Ames, she taught school for three or four years.
On September 12, 1871, she was united in marriage to Z.T. Dunham. They became the parents of seven children. One son, Freddie, died on Christmas Eve in 1879.
Emma was a member of the Congregational church, but transferred her membership to the Methodist church folllowing her marriage. She remained active in the affairs of the church as long as her health permitted. She had a good voice, and was often a leader in the music of the church.
Mr. and Mrs. Dunham had been married over 71 years. They began their married life on the farm west of Dunlap, where they lived for -?6- years. They have been in the present home in Dunlap since 1917.
Mrs. Dunham was very active until she had a bad fall about -?8- years ago. She recovered enough to become fairly active again, but suffered another falll on August 8, 1940. She still retained amazing vitality, but had since been confined to a wheel chair. During recent months she failed rapidly until the end came on December 22 at about 9:00 in the evening. She had reached the advanced age of 92 years, 7 months and 12 days.
She is survived by her husband, her six children, Artz L. of Dunlap; Clifford S. of Boulder, Colorado; Mrs. Carrie Widney; Ralph W.; and Clark N. of Dunlap, and Mrs. Jennie Kepple of Long Beach, California. There are 17 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and other relatives.
Funeral services were conducted at the Methodist church, Saturday, December 26, at 2:00 p.m. By Rev. G.D. Toole. Assisting with the music were Mrs. G.D. Toole and Mrs. Adah Rannells with Mrs. R.G. Moore as pianist. The pall-bearers were John, Kenneth, Donald, and Loren Dunham, Herb-- Thiles and Grage Rule. Internment was made in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.