James M. Duck, farmer, Sanford, was born in Edgar County, Illinois, November 15, 1844, and is the son of Josiah and Louretta Hill Duck, the father a native of Kentucky and mother of North Carolina. Mr Duck was educated in Edgar county, Illinois, and received a common education. His youth was spent on a farm until he enlisted in Co. A, 7th Ill. Cav., in 1861. He took part in thirteen engagements, the most prominent of which were the battles of Corinth, siege of Corinth, Fort Hudson and the Grierson raid. He escaped without a wound, and was mustered out at Springfield, Illinois, October 15, 1864. He has been assessor of Fayette Township three years, and is a member of the A. F. and A. M., No. 330, and of the Ancient Workingmen, No. 59. He was married to Drucilla Fuqua, April 15, 1865. They have had one child. Mrs. Duck is the daughter of David and Isabel Willson Fuqua, natives of Virginia, who moved to Johnson County, and then to Vigo County, Indiana. Mr Fuqua was a celebrated hunter in his day. He has been in the company with hunters where one would tie a rope to his legs and go into a bear's den, and the others would draw him out when he had killed his game. He is a shoemaker by trade, and the father of twelve children. Mr Duck commenced poor, but by his economy he now owns forty acres of choice land in Sec 22.

[provided by Judy Nordgren]

[John J. Duck Note: This was apparently written after 1875, when Frankie was born, but before 1892, when Drucilla died. James married a Charity 9 Jun 1896, then Barsheba Elizabeth Rhoden after 1904. Charity had two previous husbands and Barsheba was previously married to Alfons Hussong, then Oliver Perry Duck, the 1st cousin of James M. Duck.]