My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Franklin County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Webster Duckworth, of the firm of Duckworth Bros., of Dry Branch, Mo., was born in Franklin County, Mo., in 1857, and is the third in the family of nine children born to Josiah J. and Elizabeth (Stovall) Duckworth, natives of Virginia and Missouri, respectively. Josiah J. Duckworth is of Scotch descent, and was formerly of Carolina (now North Carolina). He came to Franklin County when quite young, where he has since resided; he served as justice of the peace for many years, and is a son of Thomas Duckworth a native of Virginia. Webster Duckworth was educated in the common schools of his native county, and followed farming until four years since; he was then engaged in merchandising in St. Clair, Mo., until 1885, when he purchased H. A. Hibbard’s interest in his present business. Mr. Duckworth owns a one-half interest in the store property and merchandise of the firm, as well as two lots in Dry Branch. Politically, he is a Democrat. The senior member of the firm is J. C. Duckworth, also a native of Franklin County, Mo., who received a common-school education and has been financially successful. He was engaged in teaching in the country public schools in the years 1879 and 1880, and in 1881 followed telegraphy, and was agent for the ‘Frisco Railroad until June 9. 1884, when he embarked in the general merchandise business, under the firm name of Hibbard & Duckworth. Since February 28, 1887, the firm has been Duckworth Bros. He (J. C. Duckworth) is the present agent for the ‘Frisco Railroad at this place, also postmaster and express agent and operator. He represents the Phoenix Insurance Company, of Hartford, Conn. Besides the interests mentioned he owns half of the stock in store, a one-half interest in the store building, together with a house and six lots in Dry Branch, valued at $1,600. He is also the owner of a lot in St. Clair. Mr. Duckworth was married October 25, 1887, to Miss Josie Nichols, also a native of Franklin County, but at that time a resident of Jonesborough, Ark. The average amount of stock carried by Duckworth Bros, is $4,000 worth, and they do an annual business of about $15,000.

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This family biography is one of 305 biographies included in The History of Franklin County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Franklin County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Franklin County, Missouri family biographies, click here

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