John Duer was born in Maryland in 1838. Unfortunately, little is known about his pre-Civil War life. We do know however, that he moved to Galena with his brother Charles around 1860. They opened “Charles Duer & Brother Groceries and Provisions, Wood and Willow Ware” on the corner of Main and Perry Street.
In September 1861, at the age of 23, he enlisted and was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in Company “D” of the 45th Illinois Volunteers. He participated in many of the battles of the 45th and also took part in the March to the Sea with Gen. William T. Sherman. The 45th was instrumental during Grant’s Vicksburg campaign. Duer was promoted to Major on June 25, 1863, during the siege of Vicksburg.
He was later promoted to Lt. Colonel on January 10, 1865, and full Colonel on May 11, 1865. By July 12, 1865 he was Brevetted Brigadier General of Volunteers. Shortly thereafter, Duer mustered out of the service.
He returned to Galena following the Civil War and formed a partnership with J. R. Patton in the leather and hardware business. A couple of years later, he moved to Monticello, Iowa and went into the dry goods business. The following year, January 1868, he married a Galena girl, Jennie Wonderly. They were married in Galena at her father’s house. After the marriage, they returned to Monticello where they raised five children.
John Duer died in 1880 at the young age of 42. At the time of his death, he was the Mayor of Monticello. The Galena Daily Gazette reported, “He was a large hearted, genial gentleman, and one of the leading merchants and politicians of Iowa. The news of his untimely death will be received with sadness by his many Galena Friends”. Duer was buried in Monticello.
