Thomas Ayers Duer (1919)
DUER, TIDRICK
Posted By: Mary Welty Hart
Date: 1/22/2012 at 09:44:32
The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, February 19, 1919
Page 4THOMAS A.DUER
T. A. Duer, one of Winterset's pioneer citizens, has gone to his final reward, after having lived the span of four score and thirteen years. We believe that he was the last representative of that band of pioneer business men who were engaged in business in Winterset during the fifties.
In many respects, his life was an inspiration. For some years past he had been nearly blind, but he accepted this affliction with cheerful resignation and we never heard from him a word of murmur or complaint. Despite this handicap, he loved to work and to make his life useful, a useful service rather than a burden to his family and friends. He was the soul of honor and integrity and adhered to a code of old fashioned business honesty that we might all emulate with profit.
________________________The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, February 19, 1919
Page 1, Column 5T. A. DUER, Winterset
AGED CITIZEN DIES SUDDENLY
T. A. Duer's Death Occurs Monday at an Advanced Age of Ninety-Three years
The unexpected death of Thomas Ayers Duer at his home on West Court avenue, on Monday morning, Feb. 17th, after a few hours illness, marks the passing of one of the oldest residents of Madison county at the age of 93 years and 5 months.
Mr. Deur was the one boy in a family of ten children, born in Trumbull county, Ohio; he living to be the last member of this large group of children.
Born Sept. 13, 1825, he moved to Iowa in 1852, locating in Oskaloosa, where he made his home for three years. In 1855, he came to Winterset, which has been his home for over 63 years. With him, he brought a stock of goods and in 1871, the firm of Duer & Beerbower was formed. Mr. Duer remaining in active business life for 21 years thereafter, retiring in 1892.
A year after coming to Winterset Mr. Duer married Miss Margaret Tidrick, sister to M. R., I. G. and Dr. L. M. Tidrick, all well known pioneer business and professional men of Madison County.
One daughter died in childhood, the other daughter, Mrs. Cornie Westfall, has been housekeeper for her father since her mother's death years ago. Filial and maternal love have been blended in her tender care for this aged father, nearly blind and partially deaf and the relationship between the two has been a rare and beautiful one. His only grandson Harry Westfall, has been to Mr. Duer as a beloved son.
Mr. Duer's staunch adherence to the church of his choice has been notable. When but a lad of fourteen he became a member of the Salem Baptist church, his allegiance to the First Baptist church of Winterset dating back over 60 years a distinction he had shared with Mrs. Urilla Lee of this city.
On March 25, 1856, nearly 63 years ago, Mr. Duer became a member of Evening Star Lodge No. 43, A.F. And A.M., then in its third year of existence. Masonic records show he has held continuous membership in one lodge longer than any other Mason in Iowa. This order will carry out its burial service at the cemetery this afternoon, following a service at the home conducted by Rev. W. J. Stewart.
Mr. Duer's familiar figure will be greatly missed from our streets, for seldom was the day too stormy for him to go to the post office, guided by his cane. He enjoyed these trips for young and old always greeted him cheerily and by their voices he recognized them. A truly noble man was he, honorable and strong in all his purposes revered by all. His life may be cited as an impressive example of real Christian excellence.
________________________The Winterset News
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, February 19, 1919
Page 1, Column 6PIONEER CITIZEN PASSES AWAY
T. A. DUER LIFE LONG CITIZEN OF WINTERSET DIES SUDDENLY MONDAY
PROMINENT IN EARLY AFFAIRS
Came To Winterset In 1856. Was Ninety-three Years and Five Months Old at Death.
T. A. Duer, for sixty-three years a resident of Winterset, died at his home on west Court Avenue Monday having reached the remarkable age of ninety-three years.
Mr. Duer was always a prominent citizen, and took an active interest in the town. In 1856 he came to Winterset from Oskaloosa bringing with him a small stock of goods. He was afterward a clerk in the big Vawter store where Shaws now is and remained with W. W. McKnight when he bought the stock. After the civil war he ran a grocery and entered into partnership with Samuel Beerbower in 1871. The firm continued in business until 1892 when Mr. Duer retired from active life.
He was born in Ohio in 1825. He was married in 1856 to Margaret Tidrick, who died many years ago. Two daughters were born to them, Mary died in infancy and the other, Mrs. Cornie Westfall, survives him.
He was a life long member of the Baptist church and the Masonic lodge.
For many years Mr. Duer has been nearly blind but nearly every day he managed to get down town. He retained until the last the remarkable memory of early Winterset and every important matter that concerned the town. He was a kindly man, a courageous and tolerant Christian gentleman who made no enemies and whose warm friends were all his acquaintances.
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Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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