Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 426
WILLIAM DUFFEE, an honored pioneer of Muscatine County of 1847, resides on section 3, Moscow Township. He was born in Prussia, Germany, in 1823, and is a son of Franz Duffee, who was a native of the same country, and there resided until his death. William was reared to the occupation of farming, but having a desire to follow the sea, when quite a young lad he embarked on a vessel which was engaged in catching seals, and remained on the water for about seven years, during which time he visited various ports throughout the world. In 1847 he again sailed the ocean, and this time his destination was America, where he resolved to make his future home. Landing at New Orleans, he then proceeded up the Mississippi River to Muscatine, landing for the first time in Iowa. He then visited Linn County, but at that time Cedar Rapids contained only about a half-dozen houses, and traveled over other parts of the State in search of a location, but in all his journeyings no section was so pleasing to him as the country embraced in Muscatine County. Purchasing a small tract of land, he immediately commenced its cultivation, but has since extended the boundaries of his farm until it now comprises 300 acres, and he has also given each one of his boys a farm, with the exception of Frank, who will get his share, thus enabling them to begin life without having to endure the struggle for a start which he was compelled to make.

On the voyage to America Mr. Duffee had the company of the gentleman who afterward became his father-in-law, Gottleib Kaufman, who also located in this county. He was accompanied by his wife and seven children, four sons and three daughters, of which number, two daughters have passed away. The death of the father occurred in 1854, but Mrs. K. lived until 1887. In 1848 Mr. Duffee was united in marriage with Frederica, the only surviving daughter, and by their union five children have been born : William F., Henry G., Emma, wife of George Daught ;Frank. A., and Albert C.

Mr. Duffee is truly one of the self-made men of Muscatine County. Oftentimes during the winter season has he worked for 35 cents per day, while during the summer months his wages were fifty cents per day. In this humble way he began life, but living economically, he saved enough money to at length purchase a farm, which in time brought its reward, the crops, by care and cultivation, yielding a good harvest. The fine farm and beautiful home of which he is now the owner has been secured by his own efforts of industry and perseverance, and he is now numbered among the well-to-do farmers of the community. He is independent in politics, voting for the candidate whom he thinks will best fill the position, and religiously, both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church.

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