BRADLEY BUCKINGHAM DUCKWORTH

Bradley Buckingham Duckworth, Son of Michael B. Duckworth -BORN, June 06, 1834 - Newark, Licking County, Ohio DIED, April 08, 1918, Cedar Grove Cemetery, Indianola, Red Willow County, Nebraska.

His Wife: Susan Marie Gletner, BORN, June 29, 1840 Hagerstown, Maryland– DIED, January 26, 1920 - Cedar Grove Cemetery, Indianola, Red Willow County, Nebraska

CHILDREN:

1. Ralph Loton Duckworth – Born -February 14, 1862

2. Charles Peabody Duckworth – Born - December 10, 1865

3. Fredrick Barbour Duckworth – Born - July 11, 1867

Duckworth..........First Elected Treasure

By Fern Duckworth Quigley:

I wish to nominate my Grandfather Bradley B. Duckworth for the Red Willow Hall of Fame. He was among the earliest settlers in Red Willow County, first locating in the Beaver Valley near Marion and later moving to Indianola.

My Grandfather was the first Red Willow County Treasurer elected by the voters in the County. E. S. Hill was appointed by the State Governor to hold office until an Election could be held. He was also appointed as Postmaster of Danbury in Ted Willow County and took the oath of Office November 11, 1878.

I feel his Obituary, which was written by his first neighbors in Red Willow County, the Stilgebours, express my Grandfathers qualifications for this honor far better than I can.

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An old pioneer is gone, Bradley B. Duckworth was born near Newark, Licking County Ohio, June 15, 1834. He married to Susan Gletner, June 3, 1858 in Pennsylvania and soon after settled on a farm near Newark, the home of his people. Here some years later he learned the "Milling Trade" under the instruction of his brother. He moved to Omaha in 1870 when that city was just a small hamlet.

After living in several eastern Nebraska towns he came to Red Willow County in 1873 selecting as his future homestead, the Beaver Valley near Marion. To this homestead he added farm after farm until he owned several sections of Beaver Valley land. Mr. Duckworth sold his holdings on the Beaver and became identified with his three sons as owner of the Indianola Flour Mills.

He later disposed of his Mill interests to his sons, Mr. Duckworth was honored by the citizenship of the county by twice elected as Treasurer, County Commissioner, and in this, as in all his undertakings acquitted himself with credit. He was a genial, whole souled nature, whom it was a pleasure to know.

In the early trying times of hardships his generous and genial good nature made the Duckworth home a bright spot in which the "blues" were routed out.

Although not a member of any church yet he practiced many Christian Virtues including do unto others, as you would have them do unto you. Many of his neighbors knew well of his silent generosity, his strong personality, his helpfulness to the extent that silent tears were shed at his passing. Yet our friend Duckworth got as much out of life as it is often given to get.

In his later years he was constant sufferer but would not burden his family and friends with his suffering any more than was necessary but would tell a story in his humorous manner. To such an extent that his friends and even himself for a time forgot his suffering.

He leaves the companion of his life and three sons Loton, Charles and Fred, all of our city besides a host of friends to mourn his departure. He is gone but "To live in hearts is not to die".

A short service was held in the home of Rev. Parker of the Methodist Church. Interment was in the Indianola Cemetery by the Masonic Lodge of which he was a Charter Member.

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Printed in "Trails West to Red Willow County" by: Robert Ray and Lois Rutledge

If anyone would have a photo of this family I would love to have a copy. Photo’s help to complete a person’s life.