My Genealogy Hound

HARRY T. DUFFY.
Among the younger business men of Creston and Union county, well known for his enterprise and business activity, is numbered Harry T. Duffy, who was born in Lucas county, Iowa, in 1880. His father, Thomas H. Duffy, was a native of Kentucky and was of Irish descent. He followed the occupation of farming and when a boy came to Iowa. His father’s death had occurred previous to his birth and his mother died when he was eleven years of age. At the age of seventeen he removed to Iowa, where at an early age he began providing for his own support by working as a farm hand. For nine years he was in the employ of one man and no stronger proof could be given of his fidelity and ability than his long retention in the service. Through his well directed industry he accumulated considerable property and in 1881 removed to Union county, settling in Grant township, where he acquired two hundred and eighty acres of land. Here he spent his remaining days. He became prosperous as a large stock raiser and shipper and the extent of his business interests in this connection made him well known. He was also a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal church, was active in its work and served as one of its trustees and as a teacher in the Sunday school. Although self-educated he became a well informed man through reading, experience and observation. He was much esteemed by his neighbors and friends and he was regarded as a valued member of the Odd Fellows society, with which he was identified for many years. His political support was given to the democracy and he served as a trustee of his township, yet had no aspiration for public office. His death occurred in this state in 1901, when he was forty-seven years of age. In early manhood he wedded Harriet Bantock, who was born in Galva, Illinois, in 1861, was of English lineage and a daughter of Thomas Bantock and his wife, who came from England in 1860 and settled in Henry county, Illinois, where the father carried on general agricultural pursuits. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Duffy were born three children: Mercy, who died in infancy; Harry T.; and Clarence E., who resides on the old homestead.

The eldest son and the subject of this review was reared to farm life and attended the district schools. Later he became a pupil in the high school at Creston and when his education was completed he went upon a farm, where he remained until 1905. In that year he took up his abode in Creston, since which time he has filled the position of salesman in the employ of Ed H. Lichty, a grocery merchant. He also owns an interest in the home stead of eighty acres in Spaulding township and in Creston he has built a fine modern home on North Elm street.

In 1901 Mr. Duffy was married to Miss Carrie J. Pattridge, who was born in Platte township in 1881, a daughter of Warren and Emma Pattridge, who were farming people, her father having been an early settler and prosperous agriculturist of Union county. Mrs. Duffy is the only child. Mr. Duffy and his wife both belong to the Congregational church and are recognized as people of genuine worth, having the warm regard of many friends. In his political views he is an earnest republican and his devotion to the general good is manifest by his active cooperation in many movements that have proved directly beneficial to the community.