Grant Duckels, a representative agriculturist and well known citizen of
Macoupin county, is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres
on section 5, Chesterfield township. His birth occurred in that township on
the 28th of October, 1863, his parents being Richard and Elizabeth (Morris)
Duckels, of whom more extended mention is made on another page of this work
in connection with the sketch of John H. Duckels, a brother of our subject.
Grant Duckels obtained his education in the public schools and was
reared to manhood on his father’s farm. He has lived on the home place from
his birth to the present time, for when his father died the property came
into his possession. It comprises one hundred and sixty acres of land and
has been brought under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Duckels has erected
several outbuildings and his place is lacking in none of the improvements
and conveniences of a model farm of the twentieth century. The residence,
built sixty years ago, is a large red brick structure of colonial style and
is surrounded by shrubbery and trees. Mr. Duckels raises the cereals best
adapted to soil and climate and also feeds stock, the latter branch of his
business adding materially to his annual income. He is an industrious,
energetic and enterprising agriculturist who takes pride in enhancing the
value and productiveness of the old family homestead.
On the 18th of
February, 1900, Mr. Duckels was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Lyon, a
daughter of Charles and Emma (Harlan) Lyon. Her paternal grandparents, Dr.
Samuel and Rebecca Lyon, came from Boston, Massachusetts, to Jersey county,
Illinois, settling at Delhi, where the grandfather practiced medicine
throughout the remainder of his life. His son, Charles Lyon, the father of
Mrs. Duckels, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on the 17th of April, 1854.
After his marriage he followed farming in Macoupin county, Illinois,
subsequently removing to Jersey county. His wife, who bore the maiden name
of Emma Harlan, is a daughter of George and Sarah Harlan. George Harlan
conducted a store at Kemper, Illinois, and was the son of Rev. Levin Harlan,
a member of the famous Harlan family of Kentucky, who came to Macoupin
county in an early day and entered government land. Rev. Harlan was a
Methodist preacher and at one time also conducted a store at Chesterfield,
Illinois.
A few years ago a great reunion of the Harlan family was
held in Kentucky, and the Illinois branch, including Mrs. Duckels, was
invited to attend. Mr. and Mrs. Duckels have five children, namely: Emma,
Richard, Mildred, Theodore and Delbert, all still at home.
In
politics Mr. Duckels is a republican hut his aspirations have not been in
the line of office holding. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern
Woodmen of America. He is a man of exemplary habits and strict integrity, in
manner unassuming, and all who know him entertain for him the highest regard
and esteem.
Extracted 18 May 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 120-121.
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