Mary Ann Ducklow and Family

Mary Ann was Thomas and Elizabeth Dukelow's first child, born on Christmas day, 1842 near Rochester in New York State. When Mary Ann was age five she moved with her parents from the Rochester to their homesteaded land in Ashippun Township in Dodge County, Wisconsin. She lived a child’s pioneer farm life. As the first born, much was expected of her in helping her mother prepare meals, clean, and take care of many younger siblings, along with daily chores. She attended some primary school that was walking distance from the Dukelow farm.



Mary Ann Ducklow Good

Marriage to Francis “Frank” Gallagher Good

When she was 23 years old, Mary Ann married Francis “Frank” Gallagher Good in Nashotah at the Chapel of Saint Mary the Virgin. The wedding date was the 31st of March 1865. Frank was 24 years of age.

Frank Gallagher Good

The Good and Dukelow families had a long association, perhaps expanding decades while both families were in Ireland. Thomas Good, her father-in-law, was also Mary Ann’s baptismal sponsor at her Christening at St. Luke’s Church in Rochester. This occurred when she was just three months old. Both families decided to move from New York to Wisconsin. While Thomas and Elizabeth settled in Dodge County, their friend Thomas Good bought land in Dane County, some 50 miles to the west.

Today, the Good family is counted among the first settlers to Cottage Grove Township in Dane County. Thomas Good came to Cottage Grove in 1845. Their homestead is near a place called Seminary Spring and stands only a short distance east of the Seminary Springs Schoolhouse. The home still exists today and has much charm with an appealing brick exterior. Frank and Mary Ann inherited this farmhouse from Frank’s father and is where they farmed and raised their family. The farmstead remained in the Good family for over 140 years, but was sold outside the family in the 1980s.

In the 1960s Interstate 94 was constructed and lies just a few yards to the south of the historic farmhouse and barn. If you know where to look you can see it as you travel east towards Milwaukee from Madison.


Good Family Homestead Near Seminary Springs, Dane County, Wisconsin. Photo taken October 2007.





Together, Mary Ann and Frank Good had seven children on this farm between the years 1867 and 1875: (1) James W, (2) William Thomas, (3) Francis G, (4) George F, (5) Charles J, (6) Nellie J, and (7) Sidney E. Together they created a very successful farm. Barbara R. Good, a granddaughter who knew her grandparents well, wrote: “Grandfather was kindly with a sense of humor and was exceptionally proud. He acquired several farms and they lived in a stately red brick house. They always had a hired girl, and the family lived a comfortable life.”



Good Family Photo Circa 1907; Compare with the color photo taken in Oct 2007


Frank’s death was both sudden and tragic. In late July of 1924 there was a Ducklow family gathering in Barron County, at the farm of John and Elizabeth (nee Ducklow) Hanson. Frank and John went into the nearest town to re-supply needed groceries for the event. John had recently bought a new 1923 Ford Coupe that he enjoyed showing off, so this what they drove to Poskin. They collected the needed supplies at the Farmer's store started back home. No doubt deep in conversation, their car came to the railroad crossing just to the north of town. As they crossed the tracks, an east-bound SOO passenger train slammed into their car throwing them some distance and killing them both instantly. Frank did have a long life, as he was 84 at his death. Sadly, John Hanson, age 68, had apparently just retired from farming.


Mary Ann Ducklow Good lived another eight years after Frank's death. She died 25 May 1931 at age 88. She and Frank are both buried in the Cottage Grove Cemetery near their family farm in Dane County. Three of their seven children, William, Nellie, and Sidney, are also buried in the same family plot.

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