CAPTAIN WILLETT W. DEKAY. In the month of June 1891, another of the oldest residents of Red Wing departed this life. Perhaps no one in the vicinity was better known at the time of his death than W. W. DeKay. He was born in Orange county, New York, in 1831; emigrated to this county in 1854, where he had been a resident for nearly forty years. He enlisted in 1861 in Company E. Third Regiment, serving four years in the army; was promoted first to a lieutenancy, and afterwards became captain of this company; was married in November 1862, to Ellen O'Reily. They had four children, of whom two are living. He filled various offices in this city with a faithfulness and industry seldom equaled ; was for several years city marshal ; also health officer; and served as postmaster for the term of four years. He was ever ready to help the needy and sympathize with the unfortunate; was faithful in every trust imposed upon him; a kind, true friend, a public spirited citizen has gone to his reward. Funeral services were attended in the Episcopal church, of which he was a member, by a large concourse of citizens, and a very large number followed his remains to rest in that abode of the dead, in the ornamenting and beautifying of which he had taken so much interest.

W. F. DELINE, of Stanton township, was born in Lenawee county, Michigan, July 1, 1845, son of Nelson and Debora (Lott) Deline, natives of New York state, where they spent their early life and were married; later removing to Michigan and remaining four years, after which they returned to their native state, where they spent the remainder of their days, the father dying in October, 1907, and the mother in 1859. W. F. received his education in the common schools, and later attended the academy at Medina, N. Y., until the war broke out, when he enlisted in Company L. Second New York Mounted Rifles, in 1863. He served in the Army of Potomac and, with the exception of when he was disabled, took part in all the battles and conflicts of the campaign, from the wilderness to Appomattox. He was severely wounded at Petersburg and spent several months in the hospital, but returned to duty after his recovery, and remained till the close of the war. He was discharged at City Point, Va., and mustered out August, 1865. He then returned home and attended the Eastman Commercial Business College at Poughkeepsie, N.  Y., and afterwards came to Minnesota, where he engaged in farming in Stanton township for one and a half years. He then went to Faribault county, Minnesota, and took up a homestead near Blue Earth City, remaining for five years, after which he returned to New York, where he was engaged in farming seven years. Later he removed to Stanton township, where he now owns ninety acres of land and is engaged in general farming in a small way, being secretary of the Stanton Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company; that, with other outside duties, taking a good share of his time. Mr. Deline was married in 1868 to Julany D., daughter of John and Eliza Deline. They were natives of eastern New York, and in 1855 came to Stanton township, where they pre-empted land and engaged in farming. Both parents are deceased. Mr.  and Mrs. Deline have had two children. Jennie, who lives at home, is a retired school teacher with years of experience in the schools of the county and in different towns of the state, being now a successful poultry raiser. Franklin Ward married Myrtle Scott, of Red Wing, and lives in Cass county, Minnesota, engaged in farming. Mr. Deline is a Republican in his politics, and has been chairman of the town board for several years. He is also justice of the peace. He has been a member of George McKinley Post No. 92, G. A. R., since 1878 and, although living five miles from the post hall, has never missed a meeting in the past twentyfive years unless absent from home. He also belongs to the A.  0. U. W. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

ORRIN DENSMORE, SR., was born in Sullivan county, New Hampshire, September 22, 1805, and as a child moved with his father's family into the then "out west," settling in the township of Riga, Orleans county, New York. He possessed an unusually studious mind and began teaching at the age of sixteen years. He was soon made a "school inspector, " an office which in some form came to him in each and every new place of his residence; in fact, there was little time in all his years when he was not interested in and intimately connected with the advancement of school work. He drew up the Minnesota state school law of 1861, and was a clerk in the office of the superintendent of public instruction, when at the age of seventy years a break down in health obliged him to relinquish all labor. He was a silversmith by trade, but the unfavorable confinement sent him back to farm life, which he followed in New York and in Wisconsin until the 1855, when he engaged in the lumber business in the city of Janesville, Wis.. coming in May 8, 1857, to Red Wing, to take charge of the Freeborn & Co. sawmill, which the new firm of Densmore, McLaren & Co. had purchased. Two years later he was elected as judge of probate and subsequently as county treasurer, which office he held two terms. In 1866 he was elected city recorder, and was made a member of the board of trustees of the State Insane Asylum of St. Peter. He was appointed deputy collector of United States revenue for Goodhue county in 1867. In 1869 and again in 1870 he Was elected to the house of representatives, being chairman of the committee on education during both terms. In taking the census of 1870 he acted as assistant marshal for the eastern district of the county. In 1871, at the close of his legislative term, he was given the position of clerk in the office of the superintendent of public instruction, as before recorded, under the late H. B. Wilson. Judge Densmore's forte lay in an ever active, independent, and critical mind, a minute and untiring attention to detail, a strong sympathy for the struggling citizen, and an unswerving integrity. Prof. Wilson feelingly remarked concerning him: "I never knew a man who so thoroughly detested a trickster as did Judge Densmore." All scientific topics held a great interest for him, and for many years of the early times of the Smithsonian Institute he sent in his regular monthly reports of weather observations. He died June 3, 1872. In 1828 he was married to Elizabeth Fowle, of New York. She was ever his tactful coadjutant, and was an active worker in the social affairs of early Red Wing. The gloomy days of the Civil War saw her serving most effectively with that band of patriotic Red Wing women who maintained gratuitously a soldier's' rest, where every journeying soldier was sure to find, day or night, a sympathetic welcome and a warm meal. Her death occurred in January, 1891.

J. G. DERICKSON, retired farmer, living at 1324 Walnut street, Red Wing, was born in Cecil county, Maryland, November 12, 1848, son of John P. and Catherine (Miller) Derickson, natives of Delaware, who afterward moved to Hartford county, Maryland, where the father carried on farming until his death. The mother is still living in that county, at the age of eighty-four years. J. G. received his education in the public schools, and remained on the farm with his father until reaching his majority, at which time he went to Kansas and took up land in Sedgwick county, where he farmed until coming to Red Wing in 1883.  He purchased 165 acres and carried on farming and dairying until his retirement in 1901. He was married in 1874 to Lizzie Arthur, of York county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Nicholas Arthur, of that county. To this union have been born three children. Olive is the wife of George Gove, engineer on the Great Western railroad. Harry F. conducts the home farm, and in connection with this manages a milk depot in Red Wing, where he handles dairy products and sells ice cream, confectionery, fruit and the like. Elsie, the youngest daughter, lives at home. For several years past Mr. Derickson has spent his winters in Hot Springs, Ark. He is highly esteemed and well liked.

A. H. DICKE, of Featherstone, who has done excellent service as county commissioner, was born in Germany September 8, 1851, son of Frederick W. and Anna Dicke, natives of Germany, who came to America in 1852, and located in New Orleans, La., where they remained only a short time. Then they went to St. Louis, Mo., where the father worked for three years, after which they came to Red Wing, remained two years, then removed to Hay Creek township, which was not then organized, and took up a homestead. Here the family lived, and the father went to Red Wing to work, being employed on the courthouse building, which was at that time in the course of construction. In 1858 he left his work in Red Wing and devoted his whole time in clearing and cultivating the farm. There were three children in the family, two dying in infancy. A. H. Dicke received his education in the common schools of the township, and worked with his father on the farm, later purchasing 240 acres of land in Featherstone township, all under cultivation, on which he has made extensive improvements, built a new barn, and remodeled the other buildings, his home being pleasantly situated and well furnished. He now successfully conducts general farming operations and also takes much interest in dairying. He was married in 1877 to Catherine Cordes, daughter of Frank and Meta Cordes, natives of Germany, who came to the United States in the early days, to Featherstone township. Mr. and Mrs. Dicke have had ten children, of whom eight are living: Anna, married H. P.  Voth, of Featherstone; William lives at home; Louise married Peter H. Voth, of North Dakota; Herman, Fred, Walter, Lydia and Eddie live at home. In politics Mr. Dicke is a Republican, and is now serving his third term of four years as county commissioner of Goodhue county, having been two times re-elected without opposition. He has also served on the Featherstone town board for eleven years. He and his family are members of the German Lutheran church, of which Mr. Dicke has been a prominent member of the board for the past twenty-five years, having always taken a most active interest in the welfare of the congregation.  Mr. Dicke is a man of more than average ability and his fellow citizens have thoroughly appreciated his sterling qualities.

J. C. DICKEY, of Pine Island township, was born in Madison county, New York, August 27, 1838. His parents, Sylvester and Harriett (Alexander) Dickey, were born in New York, the former January 18, 1807, and the latter, who came of the old Davidson family, December 11, 1814. Upon their arrival in Goodhue county in 1858 they bought land in Pine Island township and followed farming up to the time they died, the former June 15, 1892, and the latter May 16, 1898. J. C. Dickey spent his boyhood with his father on the farm. In the fall of 1861, at the beginning of the Civil war, he enlisted in Company A, Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and spent the winter in Washington, being later attached to McDowell's corps of the Army of the Potomac. He took part in the battle of Antietam, where he was wounded.  After being discharged at David's Island, New York, he returned home and took up farming until 1865, when he re-enlisted in Company I, Twenty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was discharged in July, the same year, returned home and again resumed general farming, which he has since continued, making a specialty of raising sheep, of which he owns a flock of 500 or more. He has a fine farm of 160 acres, a comfortable home and first-class buildings. March 30, 1869. Mr. Dickey was married to Sarah Steele, daughter of John and Sarah Steele, natives of Wisconsin.  Mr. and Mrs. Dickey have had two children: Earle is dead. Bruce, born April 25, 1881, is in the government service, having been stationed in the Philippines as assistant cashier in the custom house for the past ten years. His granddaughter, Ella, lives in Dodge Centre, Minn., with her mother. Harold E. died August 22, 1905.

DR. OWEN E. DOELY, dentist, of Cannon Falls, has been here but a short time, but has already demonstrated his ability and worth, both in his profession and as a citizen. He has a well appointed office, is thoroughly versed in the latest developments in the line of dental surgery, and enjoys a large patronage, being a favorite both in the city and in the surrounding country.  Born in Canton, Minn., he received his education in the graded schools of Spring Grove and in the Spring Grove high school, later attending the University of Iowa, at Iowa City, and the University of Minnesota, at Minneapolis, graduating from the dental department of the latter in 1907 with honors. At once upon graduation he came to Cannon Falls, where he has since successfully practiced his profession. He belongs to the Masons, the Modern Samaritans and the Scandinavian Benevolent Association, and also associates with the Minnesota State Dental Association.  Dr. Doely is a stanch Republican, and attends the Norwegian Lutheran church. T. I. and Gertin (Foss) Doely, parents of the subject of this sketch, became prominent residents of Spring Grove, Houston county, Minnesota, where the father was store keeper and postmaster. He died July 1, 1907, leaving a widow and four children, Ina, Owen E., Carlton and Genevieve. 

JAMES O. DOW, now deceased, many years a prominent stock dealer, was a native of Gorham, Me., born November 13, 1834, son of Abram and Cornelia (Steel) Dow. He attended the public schools of Portland, Me., and in that vicinity grew to young manhood, later learning the machinist trade. He made a trip to Chicago in the early days, remained a short time and returned to Portland, Me. In 1855 he came to Red Wing and a year later located at Cannon Falls, as a stock buyer, combining.his business with the lumbering industry. In 1864 he returned to Red Wing and continued to buy stock until his retirement in 1904. Mr.  Dow was a Republican in politics and a member of the Knights of Pythias. By his first wife. Angeline Moody, he had one son, Henry J., now in California. After her death Mr. Dow was married, November 13, 1866, to Marie Hawkins, and to this union were born seven children-Charles E. (deceased), Mrs. Etta F.  Wooders, of Red Wing; Mrs. Minnie L. Drew, of Red Wing; Adeline, of Red Wing; George A. (deceased); Mrs. Grace J.  Wing, of Seattle, and Fannie I., of Red Wing. The family attends the Presbyterian Church.  At the time of Mr. Dow's death, June 27, 1909, it was written : The death of J. O. Dow marks the turning of another leaf in the history of our city, another page finished. The record of one of our oldest and most respected citizens is closed. To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die, and thus in a very marked sense will the name of J. O. Dow be cherished, leaving, as he does, besides a large circle of friends, a wife whose loving care softened the pains of a long illness, and a family of whom any father might well be proud. 

JOSEPH H. DREW, a former collector, now a rural mail carrier, living at 721 Third street, Red Wing, was born in England September 25, 1837. His father, Samuel Drew (married to Kittie Hingston), was a merchant in England, and continued the same business in Quebec, Canada, where he landed in August of 1846 and remained twelve years. After a residence of some years in Michigan he came to Red Wing and in 1865 purchased 160 acres in the township of Zumbrota, where he farmed for a considerable period of time. Later he sold his farm and purchased a home in Zumbrota village, where he moved his family. In this home he died in 1882 his widow surviving until the spring of 1890, when she, too, passed to the Great Beyond. Joseph received his education in the public schools of England and Canada and farmed in the Dominion until 1862. Subsequently he engaged in lumbering in Michigan until 1864, when he purchased eighty acres in Red Wing, where he followed farming until 1879. For the eighteen years following he engaged in the farm implement business with A. P. Merrell, at the corner of Main and Plum streets, enjoying q large trade and prosperous career. In 1897 he retired, but in 1900, desiring out-of-door employment, he obtained a position as rural mail carrier, in which capacity he still serves, being noted for his accommodating spirit and rigid adherence to duty.  He is an independent voter and belongs to the Odd Fellows. Mr. Drew was married on May day, 1860, to Maria Johnstone, a Canadian by birth, daughter of Thomas and Delia (Taylor) Johnstone, the former born in Yorkshire, England, and the latter in New Brunswick, Canada. The father devoted his life to farming, dying in 1873. The mother died in 1890. Mrs.  Drew had three sisters and three brothers, all except one sister being alive. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Drew was gladdened by the birth of four children. Maria D., born February 6, 1861, is the wife of Dr. W. M. Sweney, of this place. James H., born August 15, 1862, resides in Red Wing, where he is a locomotive engineer. Catherine E., born February 18, 1865, died October 9, 1866, the following year Bertha May, born May 1, 1868, on the anniversary of her parents marriage, is the wife of Henry E. Hindman, also of Red Wing.