Biographical Sketch of

James Duff

Transcribed by Barbara Voss


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 464 - 465

James Duff, the present District Attorney of Marquette County, has held that office since 1880, with the exception of 
one term. He makes his home in Packwaukee and is numbered among its prominent citizens. His birth occurred in the city 
of Philadelphia, Pa., on January 23, 1843, he being one of a family of eight children, five of whom are living at this 
writing in 1889, His father, David Duff, died of cholera in 1849, when our subject was but six years of age but his 
mother still survives and is living in Philadelphia. She was born in 1810.

James Duff, whose name heads this notice, after the death of his father, was reared in the home of his maternal uncle, 
Adrain Barber, with whom he came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1860, settling in the town of Oxford, Marquette County. 
He was then in the eighteenth year of his age. He had acquired a liberal education in the schools of Wilkesbarre and 
Janesville, Pa., and on his arrival in Wisconsin turned his attention to farming which he followed until about 1872, 
when he determined to abandon that occupation and began fitting himself for the legal profession. For two or three 
years he studied law in the office of T. L. Kennan and was admitted to the Bar of Columbia County in the spring of 
1880. He at once established a practice in Packwaukee, where he has since made his home and has secured a large and 
liberal patronage; He possesses excellent judgment and foresight and is a logical reasoner. He rapidly gained a foremost 
place in the ranks of his professional brethren and in 1887 was admitted to the Supreme Court of the State. In political 
sentiment, Mr. Duff is a stalwart Republican and an able defender of the principles of that party, to which he has given 
his support since attaining his majority. In 1880 he was its nominee for the office of District Attorney of Marquette 
County his opponent being W.H. Peters, one of the strongest Democrats of the community. Not withstanding the Democratic 
Party at that time had a majority of 350, he was elected. In 1882 he was elected over Dr. S. A. Pease by a majority of 
200 votes. In the fall of 1884, he was defeated by John Barry, but in 1886, was again elected over G. W. Westfall. At 
the next election he had two opponents, John Barry and G. W. Westfall, but he won the race by eighty seven votes above 
the combined ballots cast for the other two candidates. He was the only one elected on the county Republican ticket, a 
fact which testifies not only to his ability but also to his popularity. For six years he has held the office of County 
Commissioner and is the present incumbent.

In Packwaukee, Mr. Duff was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Mary Miller daughter of John K. Miller, 
who settled in that village in 1851, but is now a resident of Vinton Iowa. Four children have been born unto them 
Isabella, Margaret, Mary and John.







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