My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPH RICH, son of Stephen and Nancy (Ducker) Rich, was born in Kenton County, Ky., April 24, 1830. Stephen Rich, a farmer of Kenton County, of wealth and prominence, was born in Lancaster County, Penn., June 12, 1787, and when only six years of age was brought to Kentucky by his father, who settled in the part of Campbell County, now Kenton, near Covington, and he grew to manhood in the forests of the infant State. May 4, 1813, Stephen Rich and Miss Nancy Ducker were married, and began life in reduced circumstances, but by industry and economy he acquired an estate in the course of his life worth $30,000. They settled first on Cruise’s Creek, leasing a body of land, which he cleared and cultivated, but, selling his right, purchased a body of land containing 100 acres, where he lived during his life. This was two miles from Fiskburg. He was a quiet man, seeking or holding no office, but devoting his entire attention to the business of his life — farming. To Mr. and Mrs. Rich were born eleven children, of whom Joseph is the tenth. On September 16, 1868, Stephen Rich died, his widow following December 5, 1874. Nancy Ducker was the daughter of John and Mary (Hardesty) Ducker, the former of Maryland, the latter of Kentucky, who lived to a good old age, acquiring a large slave estate. John Ducker served in the Southern Army during the American Revolution, and drew a pension in his old age. Stephen Rich, grandfather of Joseph Rich, was of Welsh origin, and a native of Pennsylvania. He inherited a large fortune, which he lost, and immediately afterward immigrated to Kentucky, going into farming and distilling, but leaving to his ten children (five of whom were boys) only a small estate. He had married a Miss Blackburn, of English origin, and of a wealthy and influential family. The Rich family originally came over from England with William Penn, and have always been a highly respected industrious family, who have universally followed agricultural pursuits. Joseph Rich was educated in the common schools of Kenton County, which were then of a very inferior character. Like his ancestors, he has farmed successfully during his life, receiving 100 acres of land from his father, which he has increased to 320 acres, worth $16,000. In February, 1871, he was married to Miss Missouri Elliott, a daughter of William and Mary (Majors) Elliott, the former of Pennsylvania, the latter of Ohio. William Elliott was a miller and farmer in moderate circumstances, and the Elliott family is of English origin. The Majors family is of Welsh extraction. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Rich have been born six children: Ollie V., Clara B., Mary, Stephen E., Nancy I. and Essie, who are all living. Mr. Rich is a Republican in politics, and is a member of the Masonic order.