Duffus, Margaret Jane 1853-1923

DUFFUS, CONNER, PHILLIPS, CRIDER, SPARKS, FORCUM

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 8/20/2010 at 10:41:41

Grinnell Herald (Grinnell, Iowa) Dec. 11, 1923

MRS. ALEX DUFFUS MOURNED BY ALL

Passed Away at Her Home in Montezuma on Saturday, November 23.

WAS AN EARLY SETTLER OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.

Came to Brooklyn in 1855--Has Been Resident Of County Ever Since.

Margaret Jane, the daughter of Archibald and Mahala Conner, was born in New York State on April 3rd, 1853 and died at her home in Montezuma, Iowa, Saturday morning Nov. 24, 1923, aged 70 years, 7 months and 21 days.

While still a small child, her father moved with his family to Pilot Knob, Mo., where they lived for two years. In the year of 1853 her father entered a tract of land one mile south of Brooklyn, Iowa. Two years later he moved his family to their new home. Here Mrs. Duffus grew to womanhood, getting her education in the country schools and having one term at Grinnell College.

In her father's family there were six sons and four daughters all of whom including the father and mother have passed on to the great beyond, with the exception of Andrew who lives at Lincoln, Neb., and two of the sisters, Mrs. Tillie Phillips and Mrs. Josephine Crider, both living in California.

On November 26th, 1874, she was happily married to Alex Duffus. Nov. 25 last was the forty-ninth anniversary of the happy event. To this union were born six sons and two daughters, one of the sons, Earl, dying in infancy. Those remaining to mourn their mother's passing are A.L. Duffus of near Brooklyn, Charles near Montezuma, Mrs. Olive Sparks of Osceola, Ray of Glidden, Archie of Osceola, Mrs. W.E. Forcum of Whitefish, Mont., and Ret of Union Mills. All were present at the funeral. There are also fifteen grandchildren.

Mrs. D. and her husband began their married life on a farm adjoining the Malcom Fair grounds. There the five oldest children were born. Later they moved southwest of Brooklyn, where the three youngest were born. In 1899 the family moved to Montezuma, where they have since resided.

In 1866 Mrs. Duffus with her husband, united with the little Moravian church upon their farm. On coming to Montezuma they united with the M.E. church where she has since been a faithful and consistent member, attending divine service as long as her impaired health would permit.

For many years she has been a great sufferer. But in all her trouble she has been patient and cheerful. No complaint ever passed her lips. She was a loving, faithful wife and a devoted mother, finding her happiness in her husband and children. A beautiful, tender, relationship existed between her and her children. As the years went by these ties grew stronger and stronger until the children thought that nothing was too good for mother. This was not only true of their own children, but the sons-in-law, and the daughters-in-law and grandchildren could not have been more kind to her or attached to her had she been their own mother. She was highly thought of in the community and her friends were legion.

Her ailment was of such a nature that something had to be done to save her life. An operation was decided upon. She was willing as that seemed to be the only avenue open to health. But health was not to be hers. And on Friday morning, surrounded by the nurse, the physician and her family she passed peacefully and quietly away. By her death her husband and family are greatly bereaved, and the sympathy of the entire community goes out to them. Coupled with the grief of her departure is the well grounded hope of future reunion and of her eternal happiness.

Funeral held at Methodist church Tuesday afternoon, conducted by the Rev. A.H. Barker, assisted by the Rev. S.W. Fay.--Montezuma Republican.