Frederick Duckett Biography - Livingston County Illinois Genealogy & History

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Frederick Duckett
Biography
Livingston County, Illinois

(Transcribed by: Teri Moncelle Colglazier)

Success is determined by one's ability to recognize opportunity, and to pursue this with a resolute and unflagging energy. It results from continued labor and the man who thus accomplishes his purpose usually becomes an important factor in the business circles of the community with which he is connected and also prominent in public life. Through such means Mr. Duckett has attained a leading place among the representative men of Livingston community, which he is now serving as county clerk.
A son of Benjamin and Jane (Redmond) Duckett. He was born November 10, 1840, in Wedmore, Somersetshire, England, which place has been the ancestral home of the family for many generations. There the father engaged in farming until his death, which occurred when our subject was a boy of five or six years. The mother was left with six children, five sons and one daughter. She spent her entire life in her native land and died in the faith of the Episcopal church. Those of the family who came to America were Francis, now a resident of Des Moines, Iowa ; Daniel, a physician, who died in Forrest, this county, in 1890; Sarah, wife of Jesse Arney, of Kent, Washington ; and Frederick, our subject. The youngest son, Gabriel, is a resident of Australia.
Frederick Duckett received a good practical education in the schools of his native land. In 1854, at the age of thirteen years, he came alone to the United States and spent two years in New York state, where he found employment. In 1856 he came to Illinois and first located in Henry, Marshall county, working on a farm near there until fall, when he went to Peoria county and obtained a position, where he worked for his board with the privilege of attending school. He remained in that county until the Civil war broke out and in the spring of 1862 enlisted in Company K, Eleventh Illinois Cavalry. Going immediately to the front, he joined his regiment at Memphis, Tennessee, and was first under fire at Lexington, that state. He took part in the second battle of Corinth and the siege of Vicksburg, and remained in active service until mustered out September 30, 1865, being never off duty a single day. He was serving as second lieutenant at the time of his discharge. Returning to Peoria county he remained there until 1867, when he removed to Forrest, Livingston county, and entered in the drug business with his brother. Later he became sole proprietor of the store, and though he began in a small way he carried a large and well-selected stock and had built up an excellent trade at the time of disposing of his business.
On the 19th of February, 1866, Mr. Duckett married Miss Mary E. Munhall. of Peoria county, a daughter of Samuel Munhall, and to them have been born six children: Jeanette, now the wife of H. C. Amsbury, of Wellsville New York ; Arthur F., who married Grace Stillwell and resides in Forrest : Jesse, now serving as deputy county clerk under his father; Nellie M. ; Mabel M., wife of Everett Tate, of Pontiac; and Aldine, at home.
Mr. Duckett attends and supports the Methodist Episcopal church of which his wife is a member. He is a very active and prominent member of several civic societies, was one of the organizers of Forrest Post, G. A. R., and served as its first commander. He has represented it in the state encampment several times and was a member of the commander's staff one year. He was a charter member of Forrest lodge. No. 614, F. & A. M., of which he was master about ten years, and is now a member of Pontiac lodge, No. 294. F. & A. M., of which he has been secretary, while at present he is high priest of Pontiac chapter, R. A. M., and past commander of St. Paul Commandery, K. T.. of Fairbury. He also belongs to Chenoa Council, R. & S. M., of Forrest lodge, K. P., of which he is past chancellor, and the Modern Woodmen of America, of which he is past venerable consul.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Duckett has been an active Republican. He served as collector of his township several terms and was a member of the township board at different times. In 1894 he was elected county clerk by a good majority and after filling that office for four years was renommated [sic] by acclamation in 1898 and elected by an increasing majority, which speaks well for the estimation in which he is held by the people of the county, who recognize his ability and fitness for the office. His present term will not expire until December, 1902. As a citizen he has always been found true to every trust reposed in him, so that his loyalty is above question, being manifest in days of peace as well as when he followed the old flag to victory on southern battle fields. Since he entered upon the duties of his present office he has made his home in Pontiac.
[The Biographical Record of Livingston County Illinois - Chicago - The S. J. Clarke Publishing, Company (1900)]

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