DUFFIELD, John: Died 1898

DUFFIELD, MCKIBBEN, MEGRATH, CASNER

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 10/16/2016 at 07:52:35

Obituary.

Died on Wednesday last, February 23, 1898, near Pittsburg, Iowa, our brother, John Duffield, age 77 years, 5 months and 23 days. He was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1820 and resided there until 1833, when, with the family, he moved to Fulton county, Illinois. There the family resided until 1830. In 1830, he, with the father, started to find us a home of our own. They traveled over Illinois for some time, but found nothing to suit them. They crossed the Mississippi into the then almost unknown wilderness and on to the Des Moines river. There was at that time but one claim taken, and one cabin built, west of the Des Moines, and above Chequest creek, in Van Buren county. John and father traveled two miles out into the region occupied alone by the Indians and wild animals, and there built the first "claim pen" west of the river. In the early spring of 1837, father and mother, with their six boys and two girls, started for their new home with many forebodings, and on April 4th landed on the west bank of the Des Moines and became neighbors to Black Hawk, Keokuk and their tribes of red men. A cabin was built and a home established. Neighbors settled around us. John built a home adjoining the old homestead. Old age took father and mother; yet for nearly 62 years did John live on the one spot within half a mile of the place he had with his own hands helped to erect the first claim pen in that locality. On April 27th, 1848, he was married to Jane McKibben, daughter of one of the pioneers of this county. Five children were born to them: Mrs. Margaretta Megrath, George W. Duffield, Mrs. Chas. Casner, Orrin J. Duffield and Henry Duffield, all of whom, except Geo. W. were present to carefully and prayerfully perform the last sad rites over all that was left of a beloved father. He united with the Presbyterian church, in Keosauqua, 1857, and was an elder in his home congregation for nearly 35 years until his death. His pall bearers were elders of the church, and the funeral discourse was preached by his pastor, Rev. Smith. He was all through life, the ideal "eldest son." He was not alone our warm hearted, generous brother, but our close friend and counselor. His life was to us as an open book. We knew his motives, his hope and his desires. For the citizens and friends, we speak for the widow and children as well as for ourselves, we have hearts filled with thankfulness for the tender words and acts of sympathy shown in this hour of grief.
GEORGE C., JAMES, J.H., AND HENRY DUFFIELD.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book G, Page 245, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA