Archie W. Duffield 1857-1936

DUFFIELD, HUFFMAN, CURRY, CARPENTER

Posted By: Volunteer: Roxanne Riggan
Date: 5/25/2012 at 11:42:45

OBITUARY

Archie W. Duffield

Archie Walter, second son of Ream Duffield was born Sept. 11, 1857 in Van Buren county, Iowa, near the site of the little village of Pittsburg, on the Des Moines River west of Keosauqua.
Father Duffield was for years the Surveyor and County Engineer and among the early settlers of Van Buren county.
The name of Duffield in the early history of Van Buren county stands very prominently. When but a small child the family came on over to Davis county, and settled near Bloomfield on the northeast. The deceased grew to manhood attending Davis rural school and being kept very busy on the farm.
It was in the year 1832(sic) October 27 that he united in marriage to Rachael Susanna Huffman of Bloomfield. This young couple settled on a farm near the old home place. There came to bless their marriage, two boys, Earl E. and Clifton F; the home was now moved to a farm which had been purchased east of Bloomfield, where the deceased lived and maintained his home until death.
In this new home the two daughters were born the eldest Edna Vinnie passed away when but four years old. Ten years later the second daughters, Elta Vera, came to comfort and cheer this family so greatly bereft.

The deceased was a busy farmer, stock buyer and a shipper of cattle. He has bought and sold many carloads of cattle. He was well known and respected far and near. His home was his castle and the ties of family not only to his immediate children but to the family ties of his brothers and sisters; he was mindful and sincerely helpful.
Often for weeks and months he gave his time and energy to assisting in the stricken homes of his brother or sisters. He was always thoughtful of others and ever ready to help a neighbor in distress. He was a very active man, never ill or complaining even when at one time greatly distressed with pain, insistent that it was a slight strain or maybe a little worse than common, but without medical notice he would gain his vigor and be out and going again as usual. His sudden going after his shock from the fall which ended his life, was very much as he wished for. He did not want to linger and be a care for others.
He was preceded in death by three brothers Frank A., Roswell M., and Dallas, grown men all well known in this community.
He leaves to mourn his death, his wife above mentioned, Earl E. of Bloomfield, and Elta Vera, now Mrs. Emery Curry of Downer’s Grove, Ill. Besides there is one sister, Mrs. Walter A. Carpenter of North Court street, Ottumwa. Also there are 13 grandchildren and one niece and one nephew.

The deceased loved to visit with the active men of his time. He was a man of very decisive convictions and always registered his vote for the principles he stood for politically. He once wrote to his daughter that he had made peace with God and that he was ready whenever he was called to go. He will be a familiar figure gone from among us, his grandchildren were his delight, and they have lost a wonderful granddad in his sudden death. The end came on Tuesday morning April 21, 1936.

Funeral services were held at the Wagler funeral home Thursday, 2 p.m. Rev. Lloyd Tennant in charge.
The interment was in the I.O.O.F. cemetery at Bloomfield.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Scrapbook A, page 377, Keosauqua Public Library; Keosauqua, IA