Happy Reunion [Civil] War Veterans

DUEA, LARSON, TORKELSON, PEDERSON, MASON, RITLAND, SAMPSON, LOGAN, HEGLAND, BERGESON, SANDVEN

Posted By: Alan Nicholson
Date: 4/26/2010 at 23:30:25

Roland Record
14 October 1909

Happy Reunion War Veterans

Comrades Surprise their Venerable Friend, Jonas Duea, at His Home in West Part of Town - a Very Pleasant Reunion is the Result

Last Friday forenoon Jonas Duea, a veteran of the Civil War, one of the most highly respected of our citizens, and a pioneer of Howard township, was quietly taking a nap, when his wife called him, telling him to go on an errand for her to the barn. When he came down there he was greatly surprised to find that several teams had been put in, and he was at a loss to know who had thus taken possession of the barn. He went to the house and upon entering he found that several of his old comrades had taken possession of his home. That Mr. Duea was surprised was self-evident, and all of a sudden it dawned upon him, the he was now 85 years of age. A splendid dinner was soon spread, and a feast was partaken of by those present.

The surprise was given by his old Civil War comrades, the following being present: Messrs. and Mesdames George Larson, Chris Torkelson, Erick Pederson, George Mason, all of Story City, John Ritland, A. Sampson, C. Logan, L. J. Larson, all of this place, Mr. S. O. Hegland, of this place, Mr. Ole Bergeson, of Story City. Others who were present are Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Duea, Rev. and Mrs. J. N. Sandven, and Rev. Edward Duea, of Blue Earth, Minn.

In the afternoon, Erick Pederson of Story City, presented their old comrade with a very pretty gold chain and locket, on behalf of those present. Rev. Duea responded behalf of his father and thanked the kind visitors for their evidence of regard for an old comrade. Short addresses were made by Rev. J. N. Sandven and Mr. C. Logan. The balance of the day was spent recalling the old scenes of their war days, when they fought for their adopted country. That the reunion was pleasant and enjoyed by all, is putting it rather mildly.