William A. Drury 1816-1905

DRURY, COMSTOCK, SMALLEY, LAQUATTE, MOSS, TERRY

Posted By: Lynn McCleary (email)
Date: 6/12/2021 at 20:55:34

Muscatine Journal, Friday February 10, 1905 pg 8

Wm. A. Drury – An Old Settler Dies

One of Oldest Settlers in Muscatine County Passes Away – Came to Muscatine in 1845.

Was a Native of Ohio, Having Been Born in Wayne County – is the Last of a Family of Five Brothers and Four Sisters.

W. A. Drury, who was one of the oldest living settlers in Muscatine county, passed away this morning at his home 1018 Lombard street. Mr. Drury fell, dislocating his hip and broke his leg on September 1, last year, and since that time has been confined to his bed.

However this was not the cause of his demise. Last Wednesday he began to be troubled with his kidneys and it was the plan of his physician to take him to the hospital this morning. But his Maker called him and when the doctor called this morning he passed into the great beyond, from whence no one returns.

Born in Indiana.

William A. Drury was born in Wayne county, Indiana, February 16, 1816 and resided there until 1822 when he moved with his parents to Morgan county in the same state. Here he lived until he was 18 years of age when he came to this part of the country on horseback. He settled in Mercer county, Il., and started a general store of which he had charge for a few years. He then moved to a place about four miles above this city on the Illinois side of the Mississippi river and there with his brother, Reynolds Drury founded Drury’s Landing. While living here he was joined in wedlock to Miss Armilda Comstock, December 29, 1844. They resided here until 1845 when they moved to this city then called Bloomington, with their son Ross. They resided on East Sixth street.

At this time Muscatine was a very small place and Mr. Drury was always pleased to tell his friends of old time recollections. During his first years in this city he was town collector. He was honored with the election as mayor and marshal in 1850 and also at one time held the position of alderman. For several years he was a contractor and built many of the places in this city. One of these building is the Cedar block on East Second street.

Mr. Drury then started in the grocery business on East Second street thus being in the position to catch all the Illinois trade which is needless to say he did, as he was well known all through that part of the country. He continued in this until about 12 years ago and has been living a retired life ever since.

It is the passing of another one of those who were the builders of this part of Iowa and whose honesty and integrity have won for Muscatine the present reputation. He will be greatly missed. He had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for about 32 years.
He is survived by his aged wife, Mrs. Armilda M., who also is an old settler and his only child, Ross, and one grandchild, Miss Alice K. Drury. He was the last of a family of five brothers and four sisters, who with one exception settled in Drury township, Rock Island county.

Those who have preceded him in death are: Mrs. Sherard Smalley, of this city, Mrs. J. LaQuatte, Mrs. Malissa D. Moss, and Mrs. Helen Terry, all of Rock Island county and Miles, Reynolds, Silas and Eli Drury, all of Drury township.

Mr. Drury was a familiar figure on Muscatine’s streets and has been greatly missed since his injury Sept. 1. Everything that was possible was done to save his life but he passed away this morning at 5:30 o’clock. The funeral arrangements will be announced later.