Ascension County Louisiana Archives Obituaries.....Duffel, Dr. Edward  - January 16, 1884
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Mary K. Creamer marykcreamer.00@gmail.com December 7, 2020, 11:39 pm


source: The Donaldsonville Chief. (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current,
January 19, 1884, Image 2

DR. EDWARD DUFFEL. - As foreshadowed in the last issue of the Chief the 
stroke of paralysis with which Dr. Edward Duffel, Sr., was suddenly 
afflicted proved fatal, and he died Wednesday morning, the 16th inst., at 6 
o'clock. The end was calm and peaceful, and as the spirit passed from its 
earthly tenement, the weeping relatives gathered about the bedside knew they 
had lost one who was an affectionate and indulgent parent, a staunch and 
steadfast friend, a patriotic citizen and an honest man. The funeral took 
place Thursday morning at 11 o'clock, and the large concourse of people that 
followed the remains to the tomb despite the inclemency of the weather, 
attested anew the universal esteem in which the lamented deceased was held 
in the community where he was born and passed nearly all of his life that 
had been prolonged beyond the prescribed period of "four score years and 
ten".

Dr. Edward Duffel, Sr., the father of the subject of the present sketch, 
removed from Richmond, Va., to this State and parish in the beginning of the 
present century, and in 1810 he married Celeste Landry, widow Vives, a lady 
distinguished for her charming personal qualities, energy and practical good 
sense. The elder Doctor subsequently became Parish Judge of Ascension, a 
position which he filled with distinguished efficiency and ability.

Edward, the eldest of nine children, was born in the first ward of this 
parish, on his father's plantation, now owned by his only surviving brother, 
Judge Henry L. Duffel. He graduated at St. Mary's College, Barton county, 
Mo,, at an early age - in 1831 or 1832 - and was transferred to the Medical 
University of Philadelphia, an institution that, from the high character and 
learning of its professors, ranked second to no medical college of that day. 
Here young Edward distinguished himself as a student and graduated with 
honor and distinction in 1833.

Returning home, he entered upon the practice of his profession with 
characteristic zeal. His business rapidly increased and in 1835 he was in 
full practice. On the 5th of October of that year he was united in marriage 
to Miss Desiree Landry, a daughter of the late Valery Landry, and sister of 
Capt. R. Prosper Landry, our present Parish Treasurer. The fruits of their 
union were some seventeen children, of whom only five remain - Drs. John E. 
and Ed. L. Duffel, James L. Duffel, Mrs. Fred Thompson and Mrs. Dr. J. B. 
Armstrong.

Dr. Duffel early began to invest a portion of his income in real estate, 
buying a small tract of land in the upper portion of this parish which he 
cultivated in cane with a moderate capital, increasing the size of his tract 
from time to time until, at the opening of the war, it formed the Mulberry 
Grove plantation. He was fond of agriculture pursuits, but never permitted 
them to interfere with his professional engagements, until, by his industry 
and economy, he had, as he thought, amply provided for his family, when he 
abandoned his profession and applied himself exclusively to his plantation 
interests.

He always took an active part in politics without seeking or desiring to 
hold office, and was an ardent Whig. Once he was induced by his friends to 
allow his name to be put forward as a candidate for the Legislature in 
opposition to Hon. Duncan F. Kenner, by whom he was defeated by a small 
majority. In 1852 he was elected a delegate to the State convention called 
to adopt a new constitution, and in 1861 was sent as a Union or co-operation 
delegate to the convention which passed the ordinance of secession, 
defeating his former competitor, Mr. Kenner. We believe the successful 
candidates in that election were Dr. Duffel and Dr. Cottman, as opposed to 
Mr. Kenner and the late Larry Nicholls. Dr. Duffel assumed a decided 
position in the convention and opposed the passage of the secession 
ordinance with great warmth and determination.

Ruined by the war in common with most of his fellow citizens, he struggled 
long and courageously after that to retrieve his fortune, but was 
unsuccessful, being compelled to relinquish his property and resume the 
practice of his profession in his old age, leasing from a stranger the 
beautiful home he had so worthily earned.

His wife died in 1872 and in 1879 he married his cousin, Miss Mary Duffel,  
daughter of his uncle, Henry L. Duffel, of Lynchburg, Va., who with the five 
children mentioned above, remains to mourn his loss.

During the past three years he has been a member of the Police Jury of this 
parish and in that position, as in all others he ever occupied, he served 
the public interests with zeal and fidelity.

With the death of Dr. Edward Duffel one of nature's true noblemen was 
removed from the busy scenes of life. May the sod rest lightly upon his 
honored frame and his spirit find repose and happiness in the world beyond 
the tomb.


Additional Comments:
NOTE: www.findagrave.com memorial # 219049213


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