William Durant 1830-1917

DURANT, BARKLEY, ANDREWS, COMPTON, PROUTY, HOVIS, SPROUT

Posted By: Pam Gow (email)
Date: 3/20/2011 at 23:46:34

The Emmetsburg Democrat, Wednesday, May 16, 1917

THE DEATH OF WILLIAM DURANT

He was the Father of Twelve Sons and Daughters

Friday morning at 1 o'clock occurred the death of Mr. Wm. Durant, of Cylinder. Since last October Mr. Durant was confined to the house and has suffered constantly from rheumatism and stomach trouble and owing to his advanced age, medical aid failed to relieve him and he gradually grew worse until Friday morning, May 11th, when the summons that comes sooner or later to all, came to relieve him of all worldly suffering, and he passed to the other shore.

The deceased was born in Dundas county, Ontario, Canada, March 16, 1830, where he grew to manhood. He was united in marriage to Amanda Barkley at Winchester, Ontario, September 17, 1850. In 1861 they moved to Louisville, New York, and in 1877 they came to Iowa and settled on the old homestead near Rodman, where they resided until July 17, 1900, when they moved to Cylinder which was subsequently their home.

Mr. Durant is survived by a wife and twelve sons and daughters. They are Wm. Durant of Sonoma, Cal.; Mrs. O.E. Andrews of Sheldon, Ia.; Sylvester Durant of Greer, Idaho; Mrs Wm. Crampton of Austin, Minn.; Mrs. Alice and Jennie Sprout of Cylinder; John Durant of Carthage, S.D.; Mrs J.L. Prouty of Underwood, S.D.; Justice Durant of New Rockford, N.D.; Solomon Durant of Algona; Mrs Mabel Hovis of Culver, Minn.; and Thomas Durant of Cylinder. All but two of the children were present during the last week of their father's illness.

Mr Durant was amoung the pioneer settlers of Palo Alto county and his house being near the old Fort Dodge road many settlers driving across the state to new homes sought shelter beneath his roof and never in vain. His home was always open to friends for he considered all mankind his brothers and always felt it his duty to relieve suffering and distress. It was interesting to hear him relate the stories of early days in this new country and the struggles incident to rearing a large family where church and school privileges were extremely limited, but he strove to guide them right and the love and respect shown by them during his last illness are striking evidence of how well he did his part. During the last few years Mr. and Mrs. Durant lived a quiet, retired life in Cylinder where they enjoyed the privilege of being regular attendants of the M. E. church, of which they were members for over fifty years, having united with the church at Louisville, N.Y. His last words were to invoke God's blessing upon his family and especially on his aged wife.

The funeral took place Saturday at 2 o'clock p.m. Services were conducted by Rev. Moir. Interment was made at the Evergreen cemetery at Emmetsburg. The many friends extend their sympathy to the bereaved family and especially to Grandma Durant, who, being well advanced in years, feels most keenly the loss of her wedded mate of 67 years.