Biographical Sketch of

James W. Duffies

Transcribed by Joan Benner for the Marquette Co WI Pages



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 366 - 367


James W. Duffies, who is engaged in general farming on section 35 in the
town of Green Lake, Green Lake County, is a native of Aberdeenshire,
Scotland, where his parents, John and Elsie (Waite) Duffies, were also born
and reared. His father was a shoemaker by trade and followed that
occupation in his native land until 1837, when he with his family emigrated
to Canada. On his arrival he again resumed his old trade, but not liking
the British rule in Canada, he removed from thence to Illinois, where he
engaged in the manufacture of shoes for the laborers on the Illinois Canal.
The sickliness of that country, however, caused his removal to Racine,
Wisconsin, where he and his wife both died at an advanced age. They were
parents of nine children, three sons and six daughters. He took an active
part in political affairs, and was a stalwart supporter of the Democratic
Party. He held the offices of Chairman, Side Supervisor of the township,
Justice of the Peace and Commissioner of the Poor. Both he and his wife
were members of the Baptist Church and were highly respected citizens.


Our subject received very limited educational advantages in his youth, but
has greatly supplemented his knowledge then gained by reading and
observation and is now an intelligent and valued citizen of the community.
At the age of fifteen years, he began life for himself, entering the shops
of the Illinois Central Railroad Company, where he fitted himself for the
position of engineer. After serving for a time, he was offered an engine
but declined to take charge until he felt himself perfectly competent to
fill a position of such great importance, where the lives of many were in
his hands. Having run a switch engine for about six months, he was then
given a passenger engine, of which he had charge three years. In 1849,
attracted by the gold discoveries of California, he made his way to the
Pacific Slope, but engaged in mining only three days. He determined to let
others dig the gold and he would try his fortune in some other way. He
spent two years working in a meat market, cooking in a hotel for about two
months engaged in hunting, killing bear, elk, deer, etc. From California,
he traveled south through Mexico to Central America and spent a year at
Granada, whence he returned to his home in Racine County, Wis.


Not long after his arrival, Mr. Duffies was joined in wedlock with Miss
Sarah Smith, a native of Yorkshire, England, who came with her parents to
America, settling first in Massachusetts, whence she removed to Racine
County. Their union was blessed with three children: Alfred S., a rising
young farmer of the Town of Green Lake; Ada, wife of Silas B. Phelps and
Edward I., a successful civil engineer. In 1889, the death of the wife and
mother occurred. Her loss was deeply mourned by many friends as well as her
immediate family, for she was loved and respected by all for her many
excellencies of character.


The succeeding nine years after his marriage, Mr. Duffies spent in Oshkosh,
where he was engaged in milling. He came to this county in 1870, locating
upon the farm of 210 acres which still continues to be his home. He
deserves much credit for his success to which he has attained as he never
inherited a dollar or received any financial aid. It is only by industry
and close attention to business that he has become the prosperous farmer
which we now find him, and his success is certainly well merited. He is a
Republican in politics and socially is a member of the Masonic order, with
which he united while in Canada.  






Back to the Marquette Pages Menu