Historic Home of John, Thomas, Fannie Ducklow

Located Ashippun Township, Dodge County, Wisconsin

'Three Photos: Circa 1887, 1985, and 2008

[Published July 25, 2009]

 

Thomas and Elizabeth’s sons John and Thomas and their sister Fannie all shared a farm home together as adults from about 1870 to 1892 (see footnote).   At times, sister Lucinda may have lived there too.  This home was the second of at least three homes owned by Thomas and his children.  It was not likely built by or for Thomas, but rather purchased by him as his success as a farmer grew.  The best guess for its original construction is about 1860.

This home lies about two miles south and west from the original Thomas and Elizabeth Ducklow homestead in Ashippun Township. Sometime during this period of the Ducklow ownership a professional photographer from Hartford took a picture. Lucinda, Fanny and their father Thomas were standing in front.  The best guess of the year this was taken is1887. See footnote.

 

Above: John, Thomas, and Fannie Ducklow Farm Home in Ashippun Township, Dodge County, Wisconsin.  Circa 1887.  Lucinda is on the porch, father Thomas near the horse on the right and Fannie on the left.  The other person on the horse on the far left is unknown.

Fellow genealogist Esther Northfield Ducklow along with her husband Willis were actively researching the Ducklow family history in the mid- 1980s.  While on a research trip to Ashippun Esther took a picture of this home. As you can see, the front porch had been enclosed.  But by studying the roofline and window locations, as well as the location of the chimney, you will determine that it is in fact the same home.

Above: Prior Ducklow Farm Home. Circa 1985.

Last fall (November 2008) Jane and I traveled to Ashippun Township and took this picture of the same home.  Someone had taken the effort and expense to restore the porch. It looks like the home has been largely returned to its original glory.

Its very cool to have realize that pictures of this home cover over 120 years!

 

Above: Prior Ducklow Farm Home. November 2008

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Footnote: John’s brother Thomas had died in 1885.  Fanny and father Thomas both died in 1892.  John sold his farm moved to the City of Oconomowoc after their deaths.  He went on to marry his first wife Blanch Townsend in 1899.

 Footnote: The first photo in this posting is part of the Michael Jon Holman photo collection.  His mother, Anna Ostenson Holman, daughter of Lucinda,  identified this photo sometime after the death of her father Gunder Ostenson (December of 1932) and before her death (October 1980).  

The image that follows is her notation on the back of the circa 1887 photo.  It reads: "This is my Mother's home north of Oconomowoc before she was married and her sister Fanny and I suppose thats her father.  Mother is one on the porch.  The home is brick and it was still there when my father died in 1932. We drove by there.  Wonder who was on the horse in the back there!"

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