DUCKWITZ, Gustave 1887-1936

DUCKWITZ, MCCLAIN, PALMER

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 2/26/2011 at 20:39:13

STACYVILLE MAN
KILLED IN AUTO
ACCIDENT SUNDAY

Gus Duckwitz Dies; Herman
Eisterholdt, Driver of
Car, Injured

Gus Duckwitz, 64, well-known bachelor farmer and stockman of the Stacyville-Toterville vicinity, was instantly killed at about 2 a.m. Sunday, when the car in which he was riding, left the road about a quarter of a mile out of Toeterville and turned over in the ditch. Herman Eisterholdt, also of Stacyville, was driving.

According to Mr. Eisterholdt, he was unconscious for about three hours after the accident, but when he regained his senses walked to a farm house about twenty rods away, where he summoned help and notified officers.

It is said that the men late in the evening had gone over to the Casa Loma amusement place at about 1 a.m., and finding it locked decided to go to their homes, both about two miles from Toeterville.

Mr. Eisterholdt was taken to Stacyville for medical attention, where it was found he has a skull fracture and some broken ribs, then he was taken to his home. Mr. Duckwitz' remains were brought to the Champion Funeral Home. His death was caused by a fractured skull. Broken ribs were also found.

Funeral services for Mr. Duckwitz were held Tuesday at Stacyville, and burial was made there.

Surviving are two brothers, Charles and Will Duckwitz, both of whom live near Little Cedar, and two sisters, residents of the Dakotas.

Relatives from away attending the funeral were: Mrs. C. R. Shepherd, Springfield, Illinois; Mr. and Mrs. Percy Clary, Fred Roos, and son, Leonard, Beason, Illinois.

--- Obituary ---

Gustave Duckwitz was born in Altamont Effingham, Illinois, May 17, 1877, and died as the result of an automobile accident near Stacyville, Iowa, on August 2, 1936, at the age of 59 years, 2 months and 15 days.

Having never married, he leaves no immediate family to mourn his passing but there still remain to remember him two brothers, Will and Charles, of Little Cedar; and two sisters, Mrs. Malvina McClain, of Ipswich, S.D., and Mrs. Augusta Palmer, of Cheyenne Agency, S.D. Besides these brothers and sisters, there are eleven nephews and nieces who survive.

His parents and one sister preceded him in death.

[Mitchell County Press, Thursday, August 6, 1936]

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NOTES:

The obituary (above) disagrees with his draft reg. when it says Gustave Duckwitz was born May 17, 1877 -- as does his tombstone inscription.

According to his World War I Draft registration,
he was born May 17, 1876.

He shares a tombstone with his mother, Caroline, in the Stacyville (Penneyville) Cemetery

Note also that the newspaper article(s) say he was both age 64 and age 59.

Caroline:
Feb. 28, 1839 - May 31, 1905

Gustave:
May 17, 1877 - Aug. 2, 1936