One of the representative men of the village of Le Claire is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. His parents, Griswold and Louisa A. Van Duzer, were among the early settlers of Le Claire, and theirs was about the first marriage (in 1837) which took place in the County.
Mr. Van Duzer first saw the light of day in the old Van Duzer homestead in Le Claire Township, January 1, 1842. He received a common school education in the village school, which he attended during the winter months and worked on his father's farm in the summer.
In 1862 he enlisted in Company A of the Fourteenth Iowa Infantry Regiment, under Colonel Shaw of Davenport. In the spring of 1863 the company went to Cairo, Illinois, where it remained on detached service until the following fall, when it was sent to Columbus, Kentucky, and thence to Vicksburg, where in company with his comrades, Mr. Van Duzer joined General Sherman's army and marched to the sea. The company was then detached to go with General Banks up the Red river, in which expedition they lost a greater part of their company, and were under fire for forty-six days. At Fort De Russ Mr. Van Duzer was slightly wounded. During the engagement at Tupelo, Mississippi, July 15, 1864, he was shot through the left lung. The ball ranged downward and came out in the small of his back near the spinal column. He was taken to the hospital at Memphis, and was afterward removed to the St. Louis hospital, and as the company advanced up the Mississippi river he was again removed and placed in the hospital at Keokuk, Iowa. The company was mustered out November 25, 1864, at Davenport, though he did not receive his discharge until he was able to leave the hospital.
Mr. Van Duzer was united in marriage to Miss Arty Wise of Dubuque, June 3, 1872. After her death he married Miss Sarah R. Glenn, October 20, 1888. She is a daughter of Robert and Rebecca Glenn, natives of England. Of this union one daughter has been born.
Mr. Van Duzer is held in high esteem by all who know him. His political affiliations are with the Democratic party.
BIOGRAPHIES