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- Cherokee Sentinel, Sept. 4, 1903, page 1:
A Sudden Death
On Monday morning word was passed around that David Zentmire, one of our most respected citizens, who has lived among us for twenty-five years, had passed away on Sunday night at about ten o'clock. Knowing that he had been on the streets on Sunday evening when he went to consult with Dr. Smith about his wife who was down sick, many could hardly believe it true, but later information proved the rumor correct. He had gone home, ate his supper, and laid down on the couch. His daughter, Clara, later suggested that he retire, and she would care for the mother. he acted on her suggestion but after he laid down his wife noticed he breathed very hard and irregularly. She spoke to him and got no answer, and when she turned his head to the light she saw that he was dying. The daughter was called and she in turn called the neighbors. The doctor was called but he got there in time to only se him breathe his last. He had been active and cheerful all day and had not complained in the least.
A universal sigh of sympathy and regret was evidenced by the entire community as the news spread. Mr. Zentmire had, for all these years, been prominent in business circles, and everybody, both young and old, got a pleasant word from him whenever they met him. It seemed that he was a friend to everybody and that everybody was his friend.
He was born in Warren county, Ohio, September 27, 1840, hence he was nearly 63 years old. About the beginning of the war he went to Mason County, Illinois and enlisted soon after in Company K 85 Illinois Infantry, and served until the end of the war.
February 3, 1875, he was married to Miss Emma Carl, and they moved at once to Cherokee and built the house in which he died. His wife and four children survive him.
He had been a Mason ever since he was a young man, and was a prominent member of the G.A.R. under whose auspices he was buried. For several years he has been with the Cherokee Commercial Company.
Funeral services were held at the home Tuesday morning and nearly the whole town and surrounding community were present, the business houses being closed form ten to one o'clock. The services were held by Rev. W.T. Freeland, after which his comrades silently marched to the cemetery and laid him to rest.
Added by Cheryl White
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