Robert Rowen Duffy Obituary, Rowan, Wright County, Iowa

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with the USGenWeb policy of providing free
information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial
entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These
electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other
gain.  Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and
libraries is encouraged.

Contributed to the Wright Co. Archives by Alice Brook <brookj@juno.com>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

	ROBERT ROWEN DUFFY - PIONEER MAN DIES AT ROWAN.

Robert Rowen Duffy,  Pioneer Business Man Dies at Rowan.  R.R. Duffy, First Storekeeper 
and First Purchaser of R.R. Ticket Passes Away Friday.
	Robert Rowen Duffy was born May 1, 1851, at Thompsonville, Conn. And passed away 
at his home in Rowan, June 4, 1926, at the age of 75 years, 1 month and 4 days.
	Mr. Duffy came to Iowa with his parents in 1860 thus becoming one of the pioneer 
settlers of this  community.  On Feb. 21, 1878, he was united in marriage with Addie A. 
Emerson.  They first made their home on a farm west of town, afterwards moving to Rowan 
in 1885, where they continued to reside until his death.  
	Mr. Duffy was the first businessman of Rowan and bought the first ticket sold at 
our railway station.  He was postmaster for several years until his health failed.  Mr. 
Duffy took an active part in the early religious and social life of the town, being one 
of the men who helped organize and build the First Methodist church and continued to take 
an active part in the work of the church as long as his health permitted.  He served the 
church as a trustee from the time it was built until his death being the last member of the 
first board of trustees.
	He always gave freely of his energies and finance to help with church and community 
and will wear a crown of eternal life as the result of his faithfulness.
	Mr. and Mrs. Duffy were the parents of two daughters, Mrs. W.H. Whitten of Rowan and 
Nellie who died in infancy.  He is survived by his wife and daughter, Mrs. W.H. Whitten, 
two granddaughters, Elfreda Whitten and Mrs. W.A. Rietz and one great-granddaughter, 
Cathryn Rietz, also one sister, Mrs. Roberta Berryhill and two brothers, James and William.
	Funeral services were held at the Methodist church on Sunday afternoon conducted by 
the Rev. George Osborn.  A quartette composed of D.W. Whitten, Mrs. A.O. Pelly, Miss Eleanor 
Martin and Howard Box accompanied by Miss Esther Fowler, sang, "Fade, Fade Each Early Joys," 
"Jesus Lover of my Soul" and "When the Roll is Called up Yonder."  The pallbearers were 
all his neighbors including F.H. Fowler, O.E. Ballou, D.E. Harris, F.B. Sheldon, A.C. Reitz 
and C.W. Fowler.
	Out of town relatives attending the funeral were: a sister, Mrs. Roberta Berryhill
of LaPorte City, Mrs. Waite of Waterloo, Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Pepper, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Pepper, 
Charlotte and Viola, Mr. and Mrs. D.B. Pepper all of Dows, Mrs. Gladys Musson and Mrs. Ilo 
Barrs of Galt, and Mr. and Mrs. Jack Zeigler of Jewell.

--------------------------###---------------------------