Mrs William (Amanda) Durant

DURANT, BARKLEY, ANDREWS, CRAMPTON, SPROUT, HOVIS, PROUTY

Posted By: Pam Gow (email)
Date: 3/20/2011 at 22:42:17

From the Emmetsburg Democrat, Wednesday, May 10, 1922

SHE LIVED TO THE RIPE OLD AGE OF 90

Mrs. William Durant, A Fern Valley Township Pioneer

Last week we mentioned the death of Mrs. William Durant, which occurred at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Margaret Andrews of Sheldon, on Tuesday afternoon, May 2, at 1:10. The remains were brought to this city and were taken to the home of her daughter, Mrs. L. N. Sprout. The funeral was held on Thurdsday. Services were conducted at the residence, Rev. Fred Ortmeyer, pastor of the M.E. church, officiting. A short service was also conducted at th home of Mrs. Andrews at Sheldon before the remains left that place. The burial was in the family lot in Evergreen cemetery south of this city. Many old friends and neighbors were in attendance. The pall bearers were W.H. Gaylord, S. Sulven, F.C. Underwood, Jay Letson, George Wright and L.H. Taylor.

Amanda Barkley was born at Dundus, Canada, in 1832. Her age was ninety years, seven months and fifteen days. She grew in womanhood in her native community. She was married to William Durant at Winchester, Ontario, September 17, 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Durant came to Louisville, New york, in 1861. In 1877 they moved to this county locating on a farm in Fern Valley township. The were thrifty and made a comfortable home for themselves and their family. In 1900 they moved to Cylinder where they resided for a number of years. Mr. Durant died May 11, 1917, at the age of 88. Mrs. Durant lived with her daughter, Mrs Sprout of this city, for a year or so before going to Sheldon. The surviving members of the family are the six sons and six daughters. They are William Durant of Sonoma, California; Sylvester of Kamiah, Idaho; Thomas of St. Cloud, Minnesota; John of Carthage, S.D.; Justus of New Rockford, N.D.; and Solomon of Algona; Mrs. Margaret Andrews of Sheldon; Mrs. Elizabeth Crampton of Minneapolis; Mrs. Alice Sprout and Mrs. Jennie Sprout of Emmetsburg; Mrs. Abbie prouty of Underwood, N.D.; and Mrs. Mabel Hovis of Culver, Minnesota.

Mrs. Durant's neighbors, who knew her for more than forty years, respected her, honored her and trusted her. She gave Palo Alto the best efforts of a long, useful, helpful career. Her open hearted manner won the good will of the large number who shared with her the trials and the varied experiences of pioneer life. She was ever willing to meet more than half way those who, in gracious hospitality and neighborliness, sought to make environments pleasing and conductive to community peace and contentment. The number of sons and daughters, more numerous than in the ordinary family, who knew her, loved her and so frequently brought joy to her heart, went out into society as grown up men and women, showing by their high purposes and their creditable deeds, the real worth of the exemplary mother who watched over them in childhood, who counseled them when larger opportunities were opened before them of the necessity of avoiding the many pitfalls in life that awaited them. All who knew Mrs. Durant will learn with profound sorrow of her death. The sympathy of our citizens in general is extended to the local and other surviving members of the family.