Biography of Charles Ducklow
Background on Community-Based “History Books”
[Updated January 7, 2009]
Background on Community-Based “History Books”
[Updated January 7, 2009]
In the late 1800s and into the early 1900s several printing companies entered the business of publishing "history books” on local communities and its key members. Publishers of these books were particularly successful when they found a community where pride and egos were in battle among prominent community members. Books from these publishers would typically have a chapter or two about the origin of the community and the geography that made the area highly desirable to live and work. Beyond these obligatory chapters, the vast volume of the book was filled with short biographical sketches of members of the community. Each person depicted was painted in glowing terms with flowery language that surely caused a few readers to consult a dictionary. In many cases the virtues of some men were so exemplary it is a wonder why the Catholic Church never conferred sainthood!
One quickly comes to understand that these types of “history” books were not particularly concerned about recording a balanced and accurate history at all, but rather about the publisher making money by playing into egos. They earned revenues by getting many "key" members of the community to pay a fee to be included in the book. Those that paid a fee were either interviewed by an agent of the publisher or the subject themselves created an autobiography by filling-out and mailing-in a questionnaire. The publisher’s staff writers converted the raw and often boring information into a glowing short biography. Little, if any, fact checking was done— the quality of the information was completely up to those providing the data. Inconvenient facts or embarrassing history was easily ignored.
Once enough community members signed-up and provided information, the publisher printed the “history book.” Beyond the up-front revenue from biography fees, the publisher also made money by selling the compilation of biographies back to everyone included, as well to selling it to the local libraries.
For uncertain reasons, these types of self-congratulating community books lost favor upon the start of World War II. However, a variation of the form continued at least into the late 1900s: The "Who's Who" series of books was still being printed in the 1980s, but rather than being based around a local area, they most often were centered on an industry or profession and covered the entire nation.
So what has this have to do with the greater Ducklow family history?
As fate would have it, Charles Ducklow, son of Thomas and Elizabeth, had his biography published, posthumously, in the "History of Monroe County." It was first printed in 1912 by C.F. Cooper & Co. firm of Chicago, Illinois. Charles’ family, or the perhaps the Masonic fraternity paid homage to him, including the extra expense to have his picture published on a stand-alone page [see image above]. Here is entire biography for Charles from that book [see footnote on copyright].
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"History of Monroe County"
Originally Published in 1912 by C.F. Cooper & Co., in Chicago, Illinois
pp. 658-660
Originally Published in 1912 by C.F. Cooper & Co., in Chicago, Illinois
pp. 658-660
Charles Ducklow, deceased. To the young men of our land the life of the subject of this sketch is an enduring example of the cardinal virtues of industry, uprightness and frugality, of strict temperance and unwearied perseverance.
Mr. Ducklow was a native of Wisconsin, born April 3, 1853 in the town of Ashippun, Dodge county. His parents were Thomas and Elizabeth (Nicholson) Ducklow, natives of Cork, Ireland, and who came to the United States and settle in Dodge county in the early forties. They were the parents of twelve children. [see footnote] Charles being the eighth in order of birth. Five brothers and three sisters still survive. [see footnote]
Charles Ducklow passed his boyhood in Dodge county and his early experiences were those of the average poor boy of that region. He received his early education in the common schools of his native place, and in 1874 began the trade of carpenter and joiner, and followed this occupation in his home town, and also bought cattle in Calumet and Pierce counties. In 1879, he removed to Pierce county, Wisconsin, where he continued at cattle buying, until 1883, whence he moved to Modena, Buffalo county, and was postmaster under both the Garfield and Harrison administrations, and also engaged in mercantile pursuits, carrying on a successful business here until the spring of 1890. He then moved to Wilton, Monroe county, and resumed his mercantile trade in that place. In 1893 he added a lumber yard to his other line of business, which he enlarged from time to time as increasing trade demanded. In 1897 he disposed of his mercantile establishment and from that time on devoted his entire attention to his lumber interests, which grew to such large proportions, that at the time of his decease, November 26, 1911, his was among the largest enterprises of its kind Monroe county. He was a man of excellent ability, keen foresight, and success crowned his efforts. In all his affairs, Mr. Ducklow as characterized by his promptness, good judgment and conservation, and admired by all who were brought into contact with him for his honorable and inherent methods, and his passing away was mourned as that of a good man, a useful citizen and a loyal friend. He took a commendable interest in public affairs, and for several years worked in Republican campaigns.
Mr. Ducklow was reared an Episcopalian, but contributed liberally to the support of other churches. He was prominent in Masonic circles, a member of Wilton Lodge, No. 203, Sparta Lodge, No. 19, R. A. M., Sparta Commandery, No. 16, Wisconsin Consistory, Scottish Rite, and Tripola Temple, Mystic Shrine, Milwaukee. He was also a member of the Eastern Star, and Modern Woodmen of America. The burial was made at Woodlawn cemetery, Sparta, November 30, 1911, under Masonic auspices.
On November 20, 1882, Mr. Ducklow was united in marriage to Miss Eva I. Shaw, daughter of John and Jerusha A. (Wheeler) Shaw, residents of Rock Elm, Pierce county. Mrs. Ducklow is a native of Dodge county, Wisconsin where her parents resided for many years. Her father died in 1904; he was born in 1840. Her mother is still living.
To Mr. and Mrs. Ducklow were born four children, viz: William T., born October 22, 1883; Elmer E., born March 25, 1889; Charles E., born March 15, 1891, and Lynn S. Ducklow, born February 21, 1902.
Since the death of his father, William T. has been the active manager of the lumber business formerly conducted by his father. He is an enterprising young business man and gives promise of becoming one of Monroe county’s most influential citizens, following in the footsteps of his father in many ways. He is also active in Masonic circles, being a member of the same bodies as was his father, with the exception of the Eastern Star.
Mrs. Ducklow is a most estimable lady whose superior qualities of mind and heart attract to her the admiration of all who come within the range of her influence, and presides with grace and dignity over her beautiful home at Wilton.
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Footnote: The original publication occurred in 1912. Its copyright expired on or before 1987 . The book is now in the public domain.
Footnote: This biography states that Thomas and Elizabeth had twelve children. This is in conflict with the burial and baptism records of St. Paul's Church of Ashippun Township, Dodge County, Wisconsin. These records indicate that there were three siblings that died as infants. A count of twelve children would only account for one on these infants. Such a count may be a case that where the author of Charles' biography choose to ignore two deaths that may have been still-born, or perhaps was even unaware of two of the infants at all.
Footnote: This biography states that Charles was the eighth born. This seems certainly wrong, even with using a count of twelve children. All facts researched would indicated that he was the seventh born.
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