Mathias Duerst (1833-1917)

BERESFORD, DUERST, HAMERLY, KUNDERT, MULLIGAN, SCHMID

Posted By: Eileen Reed (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:53

October 27, 1833 --- June 29, 1917

Mathias Duerst is very ill at the Nic Duerst home west of town. On account of his advanced age his condition is quite serious.

Goldfield Chronicle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
May 24, 1917

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Mathias Duerst left Saturday for the Dakotas for a visit with relatives.

Goldfield Chronicle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
June 21, 1917

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Goldfield

Mr. N. C. Duerst, his daughter, Mrs. Jessie Hanson, and son, Henry and wife were called to Beresford, S. D., last week by the illness and death of his father, Mathias Duerst. The deceased made his home with his son here for many years and has many warm friends to regret his death.

Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
July 05, 1917

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Mathias Duerst Mustered Out

“Taps have been sounded,
Lights are out –
Our comrade sleeps.”

The above were the words announcing the close of the ceremony incident to the laying away last Sunday of another old soldier, Mathias Duerst.

The Republic told but briefly last week that the final summons was hourly expected which would call Mr. Duerst from earthly activities. The summons came during the small hour of last Friday morning and the spirit of the veteran received its honorable discharge from the ranks of the soldiers on earth to enlist in the heavenly throng gone before.

Sunday a very large crowd of friends gathered at the M. E. church where, under the direction of the G. A. R. the funeral services were held. Rev. J. B. Dibble preached the sermon and he spoke in commending terms of the life and character of the one who had completed his course and run well the race of life. The sermon was an able one, and could not fail to touch the heart of all present. The church was decorated in the national colors, and the flag under whose folds the departed veteran had fought to preserve the nation, lay in folds over the coffin. Past commander of the state G. A. R., G. W. Car of Hurley was present, together with C. B. Harrigall, who a color bearer, sat at the head of the casket with a large flag hung at half mast. Six veterans acted as pallbearers. These were G. W. Dewey, Gabriel Vogeli, Job and Philip Pierce, E. C. Mont and John Secor, but Mr. Secor on account of an attack of rheumatism was compelled after arriving at the church to call D. F. Benjamin to take his place.

The ceremonies at the church over, a procession fully a mile long was formed and headed by the flag went to Zion church where very impressive military rites were held under the direction of past commander Car. A the procession passed through undulating hills and the rich valleys, headed by the flag furled in the breeze, the sight was most impressive.

Mathias Duerst was born in Canton Glarus, Switzerland, October 27, 1833, and was therefore 83 years and eight months of age. He came to America in 1857 locating first at New Glarus, Wisconsin. Soon after coming to this country he was united in marriage with Rosina Kundert, who passed to her reward in 1896. To this union were born twelve children, six of whom are living at this time. Nicholas, Goldfield, Iowa, Mrs. Mary Schmid, Mrs. Dora Mulligan, Mrs. Eli Hamerly and Abe, Beresford and Henry of Arregard, North Dakota. He is also survived by two sisters in Switzerland, 19 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. At the breaking out of the civil war he enlisted in the 9th Wisconsin Infantry and served his adopted country until the close of the war.

In 1872 he moved with his family to Wright county, Iowa, and to South Dakota in 1876. He lived here until some 15 years ago when, age beginning to make its demands, he went to Goldfield where he has made his home with his son.

Mr. Duerst was a consistent christian. He retained his faculties until the last and while resigned to go, did not give up until it was apparent he could not last long.

The editor of the Republic has known Mr. Duerst for a number of years, and knew him only to respect him and revere his simple hearted, forgiving Swiss manner. He will be missed though all are aware that death came as the logical result of the workings of time and strive not to look upon it as cause for great mourning –Beresford Republic.

Goldfield Chronicle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
July 12, 1917

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[Transcriber’s Note: Mathias Duerst is buried in the Zion United Methodist Cemetery, Beresford, Lincoln County, South Dakota, USA.]