John F. Daughrity 1841-1921

DAUGHRITY, MCPHERSON, MALTBIE, WHITE

Posted By: Volunteer-Barbara Evans
Date: 11/3/2011 at 10:47:54

Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Scrapbook A, page 271, Keosauqua Public Library; Keosauqua, IA

John F. Daughrity, one of the few surviving pioneer citizens of Van Buren county, died June 24, 1921, at the age of 79 years, 6 months and 4 days, at his home in Keosauqua, Iowa. He was the youngest of eight children of James and Henrietta Daughrity, who settled on what is now the Perkins farm near Mt. Zion in 1841, the year of his birth. Within a few years the family moved to Keosauqua, which continued to be their home until the dawning of Friday morning, June 27, witnessed the passing of the last one of the James Daughrity pioneer family. Death came suddenly to relieve him of the suffering which he had endured for years. So patient and uncomplaining was he that none but the immediate family knew or realized his suffering.

Mr. Daughrity enlisted in Co. H, 19th Iowa Infantry, and served three years in the Civil War. He reached the rank of corporal. He was one of the five hundred prisoners taken at Sterling’s Farm Sept. 29, 1863, who were marched to Shreveport, thence to Tyler, Texas, and afterward back to Shreveport. From Shreveport he, with six others, made their escape Feb. 25, 1864. After 18 days and nights of untold hardships they reached the Yankee gunboat Switzerland, which conveyed them to Vicksburg, where Gen. J. B. McPherson offered them transportation either to their homes or back to their regiment. All seven chose the latter and rejoined their regiment at Brownsville, Texas, and Mr. Daughrity remained in the service until he was honorably discharged at the close of the war. Escaping the trailing bloodhounds, hiding by day in swamps, traveling nights through …oggy [sic] wildernesses, or floating down the river past Confederate camps, crossing bayous on self-constructed rafts made from rails and held together by vines; sleeping in muddy …oughs[sic] after sinking their raft; …ong [sic] with ever-present starvation pangs, never once tempted them to return to captivity, there to remain noncombatants of their country. Such was the loyalty and love of country of the Boys in Blue.

On October 22, 1865, Mr. Daughrity was married to Abigal Mere…th[sic]. To this union six children were born: John L. of Keokuk; Mrs. A. Maltbie, of Keosauqua; Edward, who passed to the great beyond July 17, 1913; Craig M., of Des Moines; Mrs. H.E. White, of Wash…rn[sic], Texas, and Paul C., of Floris, …wa[sic]. Besides the wife and children… (Note: The rest of the obituary is cut off as were many of the words on the left margin.)