R. F. DUFF, merchant, Clay City. The gentleman whose name heads this
sketch is a native of this county, and is descended from one of its pioneer
families. The great-grandfather of our subject, Samuel Duff, came to this
country some time prior to the Revolution. Ho brought with him his wife
Barbara, and the twain settled in Pennsylvania. To them were born two sons,
John and William. When John was but a youth, his parents moved to Washington
County, Va., where the father died in 1818, the mother in 1812. John grew to
manhood in Washington County, and there married a Miss Mary Dryden, a
daughter of David and Barbara Dryden, who had come from England in an early
day. Nine children blessed this union — Samuel (who remained in Virginia),
David (came to this county, and settled in Maysville, in 1829, and afterward
became one of the leading merchants of that place), Jane (married a Mr.
Hopper, and moved to Ohio, where she died), Barbara (married John McConnell,
and settled and died in that county), John N. (is yet living in Washington
County, Va., at the hale old age of seventy-eight), Nathaniel H. (our
subject's father), Mary (still living in Virginia), Stephen B. (settled and
died in that county), and Alexander (who died when a boy).
Judge N.
H. Duff's education was but meager, and was received in the subscription
schools of his native county. He learned the trade of a blacksmith, and at
the age of twenty-one helped his brother David move to this county. After
arriving here, he helped on the latter's farm for a short time, and after
spending a year here he again returned to his home in Virginia, where he
worked on his father's farm. In 1831, he again came back here, this time
accompanied by James Lethco and William T. Duff, a cousin, who made one of
the first settlements in Stanford Township. This time Judge Duff settled in
Maysville, and, buying a small farm, tilled that, and worked at his trade of
blacksmithing, but his health failing him he was compelled to give up the
latter occupation. After about two years' residence in Maysville, he moved
into what is now Stanford Township and settled on the farm now owned by J.
M. Chaffin; he first entered eighty acres, and afterward increased the tract
to 120 acres. He remained on that farm until 1843, and then selling out to
John L. Apperson, moved to another farm about two miles northwest of his
former place. (It is now owned by subject.) In 1848, he again returned to
Maysville, and purchased David Duff's store, who went from there to
Tennessee. The Judge continued in business there until the laying-out of
Clay City. He then came to the latter point and embarked in business with
Robert E. Duff. This partnership continued for some years, and the former
turned his attention to stock-raising. For the last few years, he has lived
a quiet and retired life, making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Naomi
Figg.
Judge Duff has been much before the people of this county, in
one way or another. In 1851, he was first elected to the office of Associate
Justice. These officers were elected for the purpose of attending to the
county business. His Associates were J. W. P. Davis and a Mr. Loofboro. He
held this office until 1862, when the plan of township organization was
adopted. He was then elected the first Justice of the Peace of Clay City
Township, and served in that capacity for a number of years. He also served
as Township Supervisor for one or two terms.
Judge Duff has been
twice married. The first time in old Maysville Precinct, on September 25,
1832, to Miss Margaret Apperson, a daughter of Richard and Mary (Aikin)
Apperson. The parents were among the very earliest settlers of Stanford
Township. Mrs. Duff was born in September, 1809, and was the mother of nine
children, but two of whom are now living — Richard F. (our subject), and
Mrs. Naomi C. Figg. This lady died on April 2, 1857, and the Judge was
married the second time, on October 20, 1872, to Miss Sarah Babbs, a
daughter of Alexander Babbs. But one child resulted from this union — Albert
H. (now at home with his father). This lady died in the winter of 1877.
The schools of this and Stanford Township furnished our subject his
means of education, and he assisted his father on the home farm until about
twenty-one. He began learning telegraphy under W. C. Roach, who was station
agent at this point. From here he went to Cincinnati, where he worked for
three months, and then for two years acted as operator in different points
on the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad. He then went to Xenia, and was appointed
station agent and operator. After serving at different stations in this
capacity for three years along the line of the O. & M., he accepted a
similar position on the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad, and worked at
both Bunker Hill and Hillsboro. In 1867, he returned to Clay City and
embarked with J. D. Allender in the provision business. The firm afterward
opened a general store, and have since been one of the leading houses of
Clay City. Mr. Duff was married October 28, 1868, to Miss Mary E. Manker, a
daughter of Jenkins and Sarah (Rogers) Manker, of Clay City. Three children
have blessed this union — Charles L., Effie M. and Carey E. Mr. Duff is a
strong Democrat, and is at present serving as Township Supervisor. Mr. and
Mrs. Duff are both members of the Clay City Methodist Episcopal Church, and
Mr. Duff is a member of Clay City Lodge, No. 488, A. F. & A. M.
Extracted 28 Dec 2017 by Norma Hass from 1884 History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois, Part IV, pages 175-176.
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