Oconto County WIGenWeb Project
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OCONTO COUNTY
Wisconsin
FAMILIES and BIOGRAPHIES

.DUKET.

also Ducat, Ducket

Contributed by:  Sandy LaRouche
Family of The Late Alexander Duket

Back row (from Left)
Robert Burns Duket, Stuart H. Duket, Elton Roy Duket, Joshua Cramer, James Stuart Duket, Charles H. Duket.
Front Row (from left) 
Genevieve Duket,  Janet Drummond Duket (Mrs. Alexander  Duket and matriarch in this group),  Josephine Duket Cramer (Mrs. Stuart H. Cramer)

The information supplied is from Robert Burns Duket, son of Elton Roy Duket.


Oconto County, Wisconsin, covered the entire northeast corner of Wisconsin from 1851 to 1880. The Peshtigo Fire (Home Page) of Sunday, October 8, 1871 occurred in Oconto County. Part of the fire area, including the village of Peshtigo, is now in Marinette County, which was established after the fire. Family researchers often run into difficulties looking for records of that time since they are kept under both counties for the same times..

The Benjamin Duket Family, originally came to Oconto County in 1851 when it was newly established from Brown County, Wisconsin. Benjamin and his wife Amelia (also Emily) had started out in New York State, where their children were born. According to the oldest son Joseph's obituary, two unnamed sons remained in New York when the family started their migration. Their names have not been identified. From Plattsburgh, Clinton County, New York the family traveled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1845 and on to Bailey's Harbor, Door County Wisconsin, in 1850. In 1851 they had settled into "the Bush", otherwise called the "Sugar Bush" for it's many Sugar Maple trees, near the village of Peshtigo.  Their travels had not ended, since in 1860 they were living in Port Huron, Michigan, where two of the sons were Great Lakes sailors. Those sons married the Drummond sisters, who had been born in Scotland and had lived in Canada before recently coming to Michigan.

 By 1870 many of the family siblings were settled into farming near Peshtigo and had started vigorous families of their own. The Great Peshtigo Fire of 1871 claimed the lives of family patriarch Benjamin Duket and his wife Amelia, as well as their son William who was living with them and who died trying to save them. There are several accounts of how the rest living in the area escaped, and that included pregnant wives and many small children. These are included below and also can be found in Wesley Duket's interview of 1857 The Peshtigo Fire as told by Mrs. Amelia Desrochers, 92 and Wesley Duet, 93 ,

Members of the Duket family chose to stay and rebuild at their Peshtigo area sites and eventually expanded to cover much of the country. They are representative of so many families.
The Benjamin Duket Family Tree

Benjamin F. Duket  (Peshtigo Fire Victim)
    b: 1809 in Canada
    immigration:
    occupation: 1860 farmer in Michigan;
    d: October 8, 1871 in Peshtigo, Oconto County (now Marinette County), Wisconsin
    burial:  Harmony Cemetery, Oconto County, (now Marinette County), Wisconsin
(notes on Benjamin F. Duket: 1832 living in Canada; 1835 - 1844 living in Plattsburgh, Clinton County New York; 1845 living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; 1850 living in Bailey's Harbor, Door County, Wisconsin; 1851 settled in "the Bush", Peshtigo, Oconto County [now Marinette County], Wisconsin; 1860 living in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan; 1870 Living in Peshtigo, Oconto County [now Marinette County], Wisconsin)
+Amelia S. nee ? - wife of Benjamin Duket  (Peshtigo Fire Victim)
    b: 1812 in New York
    marriage:  
    d: October 8, 1871 in Peshtigo, Oconto County (now Marinette County), Wisconsin
    burial: Harmony Cemetery, Oconto County (now Marinette County), Wisconsin
    children of Benjamin and Amelia:
        1. Joseph Duket   (Peshtigo Fire Survivor)  (see obituary, scroll down)
            b: October 12, 1832 in Canada
            occupation: 1880 Carpenter in Peshtigo;
            d: October 22, 1898 in Peshtigo, Marinette County, Wisconsin
(notes on Joseph Duket: in 1880 a niece, Jennette Brown, age 23, was living with the family in Peshtigo )
         + Elizabeth Cramer - wife of #1 Joseph Duket (#2 Freman W. Pattison; October 5, 1901 Menominee County at age 57)  (Peshtigo Fire Survivor)
            b: October 19, 1843 in Peshtigo, Oconto Count (now Marinette County), Wisconsin
            marriage: April 25, 1859 in Peshtigo, Oconto Count (now Marinette County), Wisconsin
            d:
(notes on Elizabeth Cramer: AKA Creamer; 1900 widowed, 11 births, 9 living
            children of Joseph and Elizabeth:
                Charles Duket  (Peshtigo Fire Survivor)
                    b: January 1860 in Peshtigo, Wisconsin
                    d: 1920 in Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona
                + Nellie M. Corbett - wife of Charles H. Duket
                    b: September 1869 in Wisconsin
                    marriage: September 21, 1886 in Peshtigo, Wisconsin
                Dexter B. Duket  (Peshtigo Fire Survivor)
                    b:  1862 in Peshtigo, Wisconsin
                    d: August 24, 1872 in Peshtigo, Wisconsin
                    burial: Harmony Cemetery, Oconto County (now Marinette County), Wisconsin
                Chester Duket  (Peshtigo Fire Survivor)
                    b: June 1864  in Peshtigo, Wisconsin
                    occupation: 1900 woodsman in Peshtigo, Wisconsin
                    d: February 5, 1957 in Wisconsin, age 93
                 + Georgia Seymore - wife of Shester Duket
                    b: March 1874 in Wisconsin
                    marriage: March 17, 1890  in Peshtigo, Wisconsin
                    d: September 19, 1959 in Martinette, Marinette, Wisconsin at age 85
                Wesley Duket  (Peshtigo Fire Survivor)(scroll down for: Wesley Duket Remembers The Fire) 
                    b: October 13, 1865 in Porterfield, Oconto County (now Marinette County), Wisconsin
                    d: February 6, 1958 in Peshtigo, Wisconsin at age 93
                Jessie E. Duket  (Peshtigo Fire Survivor)
                    b: May 1867 in Peshtigo, Wisconsin
                    d: 1949 in Marinette, Marinette, Wisconsin at age 82
                +  James McGregor - #1 husband of Jessie Duket (2 children with Jessie Dukat)
                    b: 1860 in Canada
                    marriage: August 4, 1888 in Peshtigo, Wisconsin
                 + Thomas B. Delaney - #2 husband of Jessie Duket (4 children with Jessie Dukat)
                    b: December 5, 1871 in Imlay, Lapeer County, Michigan
                    marriage: May 24, 1895 in Peshtigo, Wisconsin
                 + William Russel Jaques - #3 husband of Jessie Duket (no children with Jessie Duket)
                     b: March 16, 1867 in Algoma, Kewanee County, Wisconsin
                     marriage: October 16, 1907 in Menominee, Menominee County, Michigan (William had been previously married in 1888 to Elma Cramer)
                    d: 1947 in Marinette County, Wisconsin
                Harriet (Hattie) Emily Duket   (Peshtigo Fire Survivor)
                    b: May, 1871 in Peshtigo, Wisconsin
                    d: 
                + William Belden Seymour - Husband of Harriet Dukat (1 son)
                    b:  January 1862 in Wisconsin
                    marriage: July 9, 1893 in Peshtigo, Wisconsin                   
                Francis  Duket
                    b: November 1873/4 in Peshtigo, Wisconsin
                    occupation: 1910 Laborer in Cedar Yard in Peshtigo (single); 1830, 1940 laborer in Marinette, Wisconsin
                    d: October 1957 in Marinette, Wisconsin
                    burial: Forest Home Cemetery, Marinette, Wisconsin
                 + Mytle A. nee ?  (one son, Frank Jr. b: 1917 in Wisconsin)
                    b: 1886 in Michigan
                    d: April 1946 in Marinette, Wisconsin
                    burial: Forest Home Cemetery, Marinette, Wisconsin
                Samuel Duket
                    b: in Peshtigo, Wisconsin
                    d:
                Clare  Duket
                    b: September 1879 in Peshtigo, Wisconsin
                    d:  1956
                    burial: Commonwealth Cemetery, Commonwealth, Florence County, Wisconsin
                + Edward N. Wilson - husband of Clara Dukat (8 children)
                    b: 1871 in Canada
                    occupation: 1920 Farmer in Commonwealth, Florence County, Wisconsin
                    immigration: 1875
                    marriage: December 16, 1901 in Menominee, Menominee County, Michigan
                    d: 1845 in Commonwealth, Florence County, Wisconsin
                    burial: Commonwealth Cemetery, Commonwealth, Florence County, Wisconsin
                Bernice  Duket
                    b: February 1882 in Peshtigo, Wisconsin
                    d:
        2. Alexander Duket  (see obituary, scroll down)
            b: March 1836 in Clinton County, New York
            occupation: 1860 sailor in Port Huron, Michigan; 1880 carpenter in Peshtigo, Wisconsin; 1900 carpenter in Marinette, Wisconsin
            d: February 12, 1909 in Goodman, Marinette County, Wisconsin
            burial: Forest Home Cemetery, Marinette, Marinette County, Wisconsin
        (notes on Alexander Duket: 1860 in June, living with parents in Port Huron, Michigan, and a Great Lakes sailor;  found on 1897-98 R.L. Polk and Co.'s Menominee Directory working as a carpenter ;1900 working as a carpenter and living next to daughter Josephine and son in law Joshua Cramer at 711 Currie Street in a 2 family duplex)
        + Jeannette Drummond - wife of Alexander Dukat
            b:  October 10, 1845 in Scotland
            immigration: 1860 from Canada
            marriage: 1861 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan
            d:  November 5, 1919 in Marinette, Wisconsin
            burial: Forest Home Cemetery, Marinette, Marinette County, Wisconsin
        (notes on Jeannette Drummond: sister of Ellen Drummond who married Thomas Duket, Brother of her husband Alexander Duket; gave birth to 12, 7 living in 1900; death record: Records of L.D. Martin undertaker #102 -  Mrs. Janet Duket age 71 years, 25 days;  711 Curry St. Marinette, WI;  died at home 5 Nov. 1919 at 1 p.m. of dropsy and heart conditions /born 10 Oct. 1845 in Scotland - Father Alex Drummond of Scotland; Mother Janet Beggs of Scotland;  widow; sick 5 years; physician - Dr. Redeings; Minister Reynolds Funeral Tues; burial - Forest Home; Survived by Mrs. J. Creamer - Jas.  Ashland - stuart Charles - mil. Robt. Niagra- Mrs. R.P. Haley & Elton of Colorado -  here 50 years.)
             children of Alexander and Jeanette:
                James Stuart Duket
                    b: March 1862 in Marine City, Michigan
                    d: August 29, 1934 in Ashland, Michigan
                    burial: Mount Hope Cemetery -  Ashland, Michigan
    (notes on James Stuart Duket: Duket, Son [ Roehm Duket 1905-10 May 1908] In part. The 3-year-old baby of Mr. and Mrs. James Duket died at 11 0'clock last night from burns received Saturday afternoon while playing around a bonfire near the Duket residence. The little one was an only child.  Mr. Duket is the editor of the Chequamegon Critic).
                + Lucile Marie Roehm - French (husband #1 William George French, 3 children; husband #2 James Stuart Duket, 1 child)
                    b: October 2, 1861 in Ashland, Wisconsin
                    marriage #1: April 9, 1879 in Stevens Point to William George French
                    marriage #2: May 6, 1893 in Ashland, Wisconsin to James Stuart Duket
                    d: September 18, 1933 in Ashland, Wisconsin
                    burial: Mount Hope Cemetery -  Ashland, Michigan
                Alexander Duket
                    b:  1864 in Marine City, Michigan
                    occupation: 1880 carpenter in Peshtigo, Wisconsin, age 16 years
                    d:
                Josephine Duket
                    b: November 14, 1867 in Marine City, Michigan
                    d:  December 29, 1943 in Marinette, Wisconsin
                    burial: Forest Home Cemetery, Marinette, Wisconsin
        (notes on Josephine Duket: Martin Mortuary: Mrs. Josephine Cramer; 115 Bay Shore Street, Marinette, Wisconsin; resided in such most of life; cause of death - gangrene: 76 years 1 month 15 days; father Alex Duket, his place of birth unknown; mother Janet Drummand, her place of birth Scotland; Widowed; wife of Joshua - 1913; occupation H. W. [housewife]; Physician Dr. Flanagan; Clergyman Rev. Wm/ Blake: time of funeral 2:00 Friday; place of funeral Martin F.H.; Place of funeral Forest Home Cemetery; lot Mrs. Sig. Jones; member of  1st M. E. Church: survived by son Charles of Milwaukee; lived with niece Mrs. Sig. Jones 115 Bay Shore St.; brother Stuart Duket - Loomis [rest is cut off]; children: Stuart Hamilton Creamer/Cramer 1891 - 1946 Robert R. Cramer/Creamer 1887 - 1948  Charles Harold Creamer/Cramer 1892 - 1946 )
                 + Joshua Cramer/Creamer - husband of Josephine Duket
                     b: February 6, 1857 in Peshtigo, Oconto County (now Marinette Count), Wisconsin
                    marriage: 1883 in Wisconsin
                    d:  October 6, 1913 Wells, Michigan
                    burial: Forest Home Cemetery, Marinette, Wisconsin
        (notes on Joshua Cramer: survivor of the Great Peshtigo Fire  of )ctober 8, 1871 and lived with the Duket family in Peshtigo afterward; found on 1897-98 R.L. Polk and Co.'s Menominee Directory working as a carpenter and living with wife Josephine and brother in law Alexander Duket: at 711 Currie Street)                   
                Stuart Hamilton Duket
                    b: August 21, 1870 Cottrellville, Saint Clair, Michigan
                    d:  August 19, 1947
                    burial: Forest Home Cemetery, Marinette, Wisconsin
        (notes on Stuart Duket: 4 children; Leslie Milton Duket 1892 - 1961  Alexander Duket 1894 - 1993  Edna Pearl Duket  1897 - 1985  Infant Duket 1899 - 1899)
                + Grace Rappe - wife of Stuart Duket
                    b: January 1872 in Wisconsin
                    marriage: October 14, 1890 in Marinette, Wisconsin
                    d: February 1923 in Wisconsin
                    burial: Forest Home Cemetery, Marinette, Wisconsin           
                 Charles Hamilton Duket
                    b: March 13, 1873 in Wisconsin
                    military: 2nd Wisconsin Infantry June 1898 (Spanish American War)
                    d: September 27, 1949 in Los Angeles, California
                    burial: Westminster, Orange, California, USA
                  + Cordelia Baker
                    b: February 22, 1888 in Indiana
                    marriage #1 James B. Nesbit September 22, 1908 in Indiana
                    marriage #2 Fred Gulley December 14, 1918 in Marion,
                    marriage #3 Charles Hamilton Duket after 1934
                    d: September 22, 1966 in Long Beach, Los Angeles, California
                     burial: Stewartsville, Posey County, Indiana
                Robert Burns Duket
                    b: May 6, 1878 in Marinette, Wisconsin
                    d:  September 1920
                    burial:  Forest Home Cemetery, Marinette, Wisconsin
                + Ingrid Marie Johnson - #1 wife of Robert Burns Duket
                    b: September 1878 in Linköping, Östergötland, Sweden
                    marriage: March 22, 1900 in Menominee, Michigan - divorced
                    d: August 8, 1963 in Marinette,Wisconsin
                    children of Robert and  Ingrid: Arnold James Duket 1900 - 1967 Walter Elworth Duket 1902 - 1966  Harry D. Duket 1905 - 1970
                   +  Ida E. Jewel - #2 wife of Robert Burns Duket (no children with Robert)
                    b: January 7, 1873 in Lansing, Ingham, Michigan
                    d: February 23, 1950 in Benton Harbor, Berrien,Michigan
                Genevieve (Janet) P. Duket
                    b: December 1881 in Wisconsin
                    d:  in Michigan
                + Richard Parks Haley - #1 husband of Genevieve Duket
                    b: June 16, 1875 in Belmont, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA
                    marriage: March 7, 1900 in Ashland, Wisconsin
                    d: January 20, 1920 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois
                    burial:  Forest Home Cemetery, Marinette, Wisconsin  
                    children of Genevieve and Richard: Josephine Haley 1905  Robert E. Haley 1909  Edward Haley  1917
                   + Burton Earl Floria - #2 husband of Genevieve Duket
                    b: March 30, 1879 in Hilldale County, Michigan
                    marriage: December 22, 1924 in Saginaw, Michigan - no chidren with Genevieve Duket
                    d:  1942
                Elton Roy Duket
                    b: July 21, 1889 in Marinette, Wisconsin
                    d: August 25, 1936 in Wisconsin
                    burial: Wood National Cemetery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin - US Army Veteran
                  + LaVeta A. Wright
                    b: January 26, 1893 in Colorado
                    marriage:
                    d: January 8, 1969 in Oconomowoc, Waukesha, Wisconsin
                    burial: Ixonia, Jefferson, Wisconsin
                    children of Elton and LaVeta: Donald Allen Duket 1917 - 1993  Robert B. Duket 1919 - 2005
        3. Thomas Duket  (Peshtigo Fire Survivor) (see obituary, scroll down)
            b:, January 1834 in Plattsburgh, Clinton County, New York
            occupation: 1860 farm laborer; 1870 laborer in  Peshtigo, Wisconsin;
            d:  March 1912 in Porterfield, Marinette County, Wisconsin - age 88 years
            burial: Harmony Cemetery,  Marinette County, Wisconsin
    (notes on Thomas Duket: 1860 in June, living with parents in Port Huron, Michigan; 1870 Living next door to parents in Peshtigo, Wisconsin; 1900 living with son William in Peshtigo)
        + Ellen Nellie Drummond - wife of Thomas Duket  (Peshtigo Fire Survivor)
            b: 1841 in Scotland
            immigration: 1860 from Canada
             marriage: 1861 in Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan
            d: January 1883 in Peshtigo, Marinette, Wisconsin - age 42 years
    (notes on Ellen Drummond: sister of Jeannette Drummond who married Alexander Duket, brother of her husband Thomas Duket; )
            children of  Thomas and Ellen:               
                Eber Duket  (Peshtigo Fire Survivor)
                    b: January 1860 in Port Huron, Michigan (1870 Census, Peshtigo, Wisconsin)
                    occupation: 1900 farmer in Peshtigo, Wisconsin
                    d: 1941 in Marinette, Marinette, Wisconsin
                + Kate F. Smith
                    b: abt 1864 in Main
                    marriage: June 25, 1883 in Oconto County, Wisconsin
                    d: after 1940
                    children of  Eber and Kate:
                        Myra Fay Duket b: February 8, 1897 d: February 11, 1897  burial: Evergreen Cemetery, Oconto, Wisconsin
                        Allen D. Duket b: April 8, 1884 in Oconto, Oconto County, Wisconsin d:   marriage: Clara Julia Kaschke in 1909 Marinette, Wisconsin
    (notes on  Mary: 1900 Living in Peshtigo, Wisconsin with husband no children)
                Joseph E. Duket  (Peshtigo Fire Survivor)
                    b: 1861 in Port Huron, Michigan (1870 Census, Peshtigo, Wisconsin)
                    d: April 9, 1897 in Peshtiigo, Wisconsin
    (notes on Joseph Duket: no children)
                + Mary Rosa Bolen
                    b: September 1864 in Juneau County, Wisconsin
                    marriage: October 3, 1888 Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan
                    occupation: 1930 Head Nurse at South View Hospital, 960 Mitchell Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
                    d: after 1952
    (notes on Mary Bolen: resided as a widow in Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa, Michigan from 1888 - 1902  and after retirement; 1930 1940 living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
                James Duket  (Peshtigo Fire Survivor)
                    b: 1862  in Port Huron, Michigan  (1870 Census, Peshtigo, Wisconsin)
                    d:  August 17, 1870 in  Peshtigo, Wisconsin
                    burial: Harmony Cemetery, Oconto County (now Marinette County), Wisconsin
                Michael Drummond Duket  (Peshtigo Fire Survivor)
                    b: 1863 in Canada (1870 Census, Peshtigo, Wisconsin)
                    immigrations: 1863 was born at mother's family in Canada and returned that year.
                    d:  December 15, 1934 in Chicago, Illinois
                + Salanda Creamer/Cramer
                    b:  March 4, 1877 in Oconto County (now Marinette County), Wisconsin
                    marriage: 1894 In Marinette, Wisconsin
                    d:  December 28, 1941 in Chicago, Illinois
                    child of  James and Salanda:
                        Ohmer Duket b:  September 10,1899 in Marinette, Wisconsin  d: January 1957 in Kankakee County, Illinois
                Benjamin Franklin Duket   (Peshtigo Fire Survivor)
                    b:  1868 in Wisconsin (1870 Census, Peshtigo, Wisconsin)
                    d:
                + Mary Elizabeth Clark
                    b: 1870 in Brooklyn, New York
                    marriage: May 8, 1890 in Marinette, Wisconsin
                    d: 1892
                    child of Benjamin and Mary:
                        John Brewer Clark b: 1891 (adopted by maternal grandparents)
                + Minnie H. Gustic
                    b: May 1873 in Germany
                    immigration: 1881
                    marriage: August 6, 1893 in Oconto, Wisconsin
                    d: October 27, 1967 in Peshtigo, Wisconsin
                    children of Benjamin and Minnie:
                        Arthur Duket b: August 4, 1894 in Oconto, Wisconsin  d: April 9, 1987 in Snyder, Scurry County, Texas
                        Howard O. Duket  b: February 7, 1897 in Oconto, Wisconsin  d: May 4, 1977 in Green Bay, Wisconsin
                        Ruth Duket  b: December 1898 in Peshtigo, Wisconsin d: Peshtigo, Wisconsin   burial:  Riverside, Cemetery, Marinette County, Wisconsin
                        Helen Myrtle Duket b: February 9, 1904 in Marinette, Wisconsin d:in Marinette, Wisconsin  burial: Riverside, Cemetery, Marinette County, Wisconsin                  
                William W. Duket  (Peshtigo Fire Survivor)
                    b: December 1869 (1870 Census, Peshtigo, Wisconsin)
                    d:  September 12, 1959 in Marinette, Wisconsin
(notes on William W. Duket: "Frank’s uncle, John Jackson, was burned to death but his remains were never found. Uncle Bill Duket [William W. Duket] survived because his uncle, John King, buried him in a furrow at Uncle Alvah’s farm [Alvah Phillips was the husband of William's aunt, Mary Harriet Phillips who lived nearby]. Bill was a step-uncle of Frank Phillips.  Frank’s uncle, John Jackson, was burned to death but his remains were never found.". Duket oral family history.)
                 + Flora E. Phillips
                    b: March 1876 in Wisconsin
                    marriage: February 15, 1891 in Peshtigo, Wisconsin
                    d: between 1930 and 1935 
                    children of William and Flora:
                        Royal Tyler Guket b: July 15, Porterfield, Marinette County, Wisconsin  d: January 1969 in Marinette, Wisconsin
                        Ferdinand  Duket b: May 19, 1893 in Marinette, Wisconsin d: June 27, 1985 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
                        Lillian May Duket Kieff  b: April 6, 1895 Porterfield, Marinette County, Wisconsin  d: December 27, 1983 in Riverside, California
                        William Duket   b: April 1895 in Peshtigo, Wisconsin
                        Alice Duket  b: May 1896 in Marinette, Wisconsin
                        Laurel Duket  b: March 23, 1899 in Peshtigo, Wisconsin
                        Pearl Duket b: March 9, 1901 in Grover, Marinette County,Wisconsin
                + Jennie B. Martinson
                    b: 1890 in Iowa
                    between 1930 and 1935
                    d:  in Wisconsin
                Louise B. Duket  (Peshtigo Fire Survivor - mother was pregnant with Louise)
                    b: March 1872 in Peshtigo, Wisconsin
                    d:  1943 in Marinette County, Wisconsin
                    burial: Woodlawn Cemetery, Marinette,Wisconsin
                + Frederick S. Colburn
                    b: March 1870 in Marinette, Wisconsin
                    d: 1943 in Marinette, Wisconsin
                    burial: Woodlawn Cemetery, Marinette,Wisconsin
                    children of Louise and Fred:
                        De Forest Smith Colburn  b: April 4, 1890 in Marinette, Wisconsin d: August 13, 1972 in Pompano Beach, Florida
                        Willard Hiram Colburn b: Marinette, Wisconsin  d: February 11, 1964 in Marinette County, Wisconsin
                        Frances Nell Colburn Giffin  b: September 10, 1895 in Marinette, Marinette, Wisconsin d: January 21 in Indiana
                        Beatrice Helen Colburn Bonk  b: January 25, 1903 in Marinette, Wisconsin d: November 2, 1963 in Menominee, Michigan 
                Della Duket
                    b: 1875 in Wisconsin
                    d:  
                Samuel Creamer Duket
                    b: May 2, 1876 in Green Bay, Wisconsin
                    d:  December 7, 1935 in  St. Petersburg, Florida
                + Lydia Elizabeth Webb
                    b: 1879 in Geneva County, Alabama
                    d: 1940 in Tampa,Florida
                    children of  Samuel and Lydia:
                        Thelma Duket b: 1905 in Florida
                        Marcus Duket b: 1907 in Florida
                        Samuel William Duket b: February  24, 1909 in Florala, Covington, Alabama d: 1950 in Tampa, Florida
                        Frank Edward Duket b: January 19, in Florida d: June 9, 1987 in Jacksonviller, Florida
                        Woodrow A. Duket b: 1916 in Florida                       
                 James Russell Duket
                    b: July 24, 1877 in Peshtigo, Marinette, Wisconsin
                    d: September 13, 1963 in Green Bay,Brown County, Wisconsin
                + Anna J. Young
                    b: 1878 in Wisconsin
                    marriage: May 4, 1897
                    d:
                    children of James and Anna:
                        Garldeen Duket b: June 22, 1898 in Peshtigo, Marinette, Wisconsin d: infancy
                        Gertrude Duket Stewart b: February 2, 1900 in Marinette, Wisconsin
                        Gerald Duket b: 1902 in Wisconsin d: November 10, 1964 in Manitowac, Wisconsin
                        Elsworth Jame Duket b: February 6, 1906 in Marinette, Wisconsin  d: infancy
                        John J. Duket February 6, 1906 in Marinette, Wisconsin d: October 15 , 1969 in Marinette, Wisconsin                                              
         4. William Duket  (Peshtigo Fire Victim)
            b: December 5, 1838 in New York
            d: October 8, 1871, age 33 years, 1 month, 27 days, at Peshtigo, Oconto County (now Marinette County), Wisconsin
            burial: Harmony Cemetery, Oconto County (now Marinette County), Wisconsin
     (notes on William Dukat: died in the Peshtigo Fire of 1871, he is on the same gravestone as parents Benjamin and Emily [Amelia] Duket)
        5. Francis (Frank) Duket  (see obituary, scroll down)
            b: July 10, 1840 in Clinton County, NY,
            occupation: 1880 Hotel Keeper in Peshtigo, Wisconsin
            d: June 9, 1921 in Marinette County, Wisconsin - age 80
            burial: Riverside Cemetery, Peshtigo, Marinette County, Wisconsin         
        + Isabella Woodward - wife of Francis Duket
            b: July 24, 1843 in Clinton County, NY,
            marriage: 1860
            d: April 22, 1928
            burial: Riverside Cemetery, Peshtigo, Marinette County, Wisconsin,
            Child of  Francis and Isabella:
                Ida Duket : 1863 born in Michigan
        6. Mary Harriet Duket  (Peshtigo Fire Survivor) (see obituary, scroll down)
            b:  May 22, 1844 in Clinton County, New York
            d: March 14, 1919 in Porterfield, Marinette County, Wisconsin 
            burial: Harmony Cemetery, Marinette County, Wisconsin      
        + Alvah B. Phillips - husband of Mary Duket  (Peshtigo Fire Survivor)  (see obituary, scroll down)
            b: February 1840 in Massachusetts
            occupation: 1900 retired farmer
            marriage: 1864
            d: May 30, 1924 in Marinette, Wisconsin
            burial: Harmony Cemetery, Marinette County, Wisconsin
            children of Mary and Alvah:
                George Washington Phillips  (Peshtigo Fire Survivor) b: February 22, 1865 in Peshtigo, Wisconsin  d: February 9, 1907 in Marinette County, Wisconsin
                Harriet B. Phillips Banning Cassetty  (Peshtigo Fire Survivor) b 1867 in Peshtogo, Wisconsin d: in Alberta, Canada
                John M. Phillips  (Peshtigo Fire Survivor) b: June 1868 in Peshtigo, Wisconsin d: Golden Valley, North Dakota
                Clifford Stanley Phillips b: Dec 20, 1883 in Wisconsin  d: September 17, 1971 in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
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Marinette Eagle-Star sometimes
October 22, 1898 

DEATH OF AN OLD RESIDENT

Joseph Duket died at an early hour this morning at his home in the village after an illness of over four months due to an abcess.  He was confined to his bed for this past two months and suffered great pain till death come to his relief.  The deceased was one of the early settlers of this country, coming from New York, his native state, to Milwaukee in 1845, and after a few years residence there and at Bailey's Harbor, came to this county in 1851 and settled with his parents on a farm in the upper Bush, where he remained till his removal to the village. Both his parents and a brother, William were lost in the great fire of 1871. Five brothers survive him; Frank, Tom and Alec of this county, and two others, residents of his native state, and one sister, Mrs. A.B. Phillips of the upper Bush.  The deceased leaves five sons and three daughters, all residents of this village.  He was in his 66th year.  The funeral arrangements have not been fully completed.  It will take place on Monday.
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 March 17, 1919
AGED RESIDENT OF TOWN OF PORTERFIELD DIES

 Thomas Duket, who had resided in this vicinity nearly his entire life died Saturday at 2313 Thomas street after suffering with cancer for seven months. The last four weeks of his illness he was confined to bed.  He was born in Plattsburg, N.Y. seven-eight years ago.  He was a widower and is survived by two daughters, Mrs. F.C. Colburn of this city and Mrs. Charles Jacobs of Green Bay; and five sons, Eber of Porterfield, Michael and William of Grover, James and Benjamin of Oconto.  The funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon at 1 o'clock and interment will take place in Harmony Corners. The Rev. F.A. Nimits, pastor of the Gram M.E. church will officiate at the services.
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11 Mar 1912  
THOMAS DUKET DIED SATURDAY

Thomas Duket, who had resided in this vicinity nearly his entire life died Saturday at 2313 Thomas street after suffering with cancer for seven months. The last four weeks of his illness he was confined to bed.  He was born in Plattsburg, N.Y. seven-eight years ago.  He was a widower and is survived by two daughters, Mrs. F.C. Colburn of this city and Mrs. Charles Jacobs of Green Bay; and five sons, Eber of Porterfield, Michael and William of Grover, James and Benjamin of Oconto.  The funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon at 1 o'clock and interment will take place in Harmony Corners. The Rev. F.A. Nimits, pastor of the Gram M.E. church will officiate at the services.
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February 12, 1909
Alexander Duket
"Word was received today of the sudden death of Alexander Duket, a pioneer resident of this city (Peshtigo, Wisconsin) who had been at Goodman for a short time.  No particulars were given, other than he died after a few hours illness Friday evening at 7 o'clock.  He was 73 years of age and had resided in Marinette for forty-six years, the family residence being at 711 Currie Street.  He is survived by his widow and seven children, James Duket, Ashland; Charles Duket, Milwaukee; Stuart, Robert and Elton Duket, this city, Mrs. Josh Cramer, this city and Mrs. R. P. Haley, Ashland.  Two brothers of the deceased, Frank and Thomas Duket, reside in Grover and a sister, Mrs. B.A. (sic) Phillips at Porterfield.  The remains are expected to arrive in the city this evening and the arrangements for the funeral will not be made until after their arrival.  Friends are requested by the family to not send flowers." 
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17 March 1919

AGED RESIDENT OF TOWN OF PORTERFIELD DIES

The death of Mrs. Mary Harriet (Duket) Phillips, wife of A. B. Phillips of Porterfield, occurred at 7 o'clock Saturday evening at her home, dropsy being the cause of death.  Mrs. Phillips had been confined to her bed since January 8th and had been ailing for a number of years.  Decedent was born in New York seventy-five years ago.

Survivors are her husband, A. B. Phillips, one daughter, Mrs. Harriet Cassidy (should be Cassetty), Kingman, Arizona, and two sons, Clifford Phillips of Madora, N. Dakota and Dr. J. M. Phillips of Bisman (should be Bisbee), N. Dakota.  Frank Duket of this city is a brother.

Funeral services will be held at 1 o'clock Wednesday afternoon from the home and at 2 o'clock from the Harmony M.E. church, Rev. A. O Nuss, pastor to officiate.  Interment will take place at the Harmony cemetery.

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obituary Marinette Eagle Star, June 3, 1924 page 7

Pioneer Man Succumbs on Thursday

A.B. Phillips; Reported To Be Oldest County Resident Dies At His Home

A.B. Phillips, 84, said to be the oldest resident of Marinette county, died of heart trouble the evening of Memorial Day at his home, 29 Cottage Row, corner of Hattie street, this city. (Marinette)

Early Pioneer

He came here from Chicago by boat in 1851. The trip was a rough one, the mate of the boat being drowned. The waters of Green Bay were so rough that a landing could not be made at this port and the boat landed at Peshtigo Harbor. The county was a vast wilderness at that time that he came here three years ago. There were only two ponies in the county during that time. Mr. Phillips was so proud that he had to hold his homestead some time before he could claim it. He resided in the vicinity of Porterfield since that period until about a year ago, when he sold his farm and bought a city residence.

Friend of Indians.

From his early days he was a close friend of the Indians who formed the major portion of the population during those times. He learned to speak the Indian language and conversed with the Indians fluently and was ever their close friend.
While Mr. Phillips had been in failing health for some time, he was confined to bed only one week. He is survived by his daughter, Hattie Cassetty who made her home with him; a son, Dr. John Phillips of ??(possibly Bishop?) North Dakota and seven grandchildren.

Burial Monday.

The funeral will be held Monday afternoon at 1 o'clock from L.D. Martin mortuary chapel and burial will be made in Harmony cemetery. The casket will be opened at the cemetery for the benefit of olden-time friends in that part of the county who may wish to view the body before it is consigned to the grave. The Rev.C.R. Bulley of Methodist Episcopal..

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Frank’s uncle, John Jackson, was burned to death but his remains were never found. Uncle Bill Duket survived because his uncle, John King, buried him in a furrow at Uncle Alvah’s farm. Bill was a step-uncle of Frank Phillips.  Frank’s uncle, John Jackson, was burned to death but his remains were never found. Uncle Bill Duket survived because his uncle, John King, buried him in a furrow at Uncle Alvah’s farm. Bill was a step-uncle of Frank Phillips.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wesley Duket 

contributor: Pat Drees February 13, 1958

Death Shrinks List
Of Fire Suvivors;
Takes W. Duket

The list of survivors of the Peshtigo fire grew shorter Thursdaym Feb 6 at 9:45 pm when death came to Wesley Duket, 92, of Peshtigo. He died at the Elkland Convalenscent home where he had lived seven years.

Just last fall, Duket was interviewed by the Peshtigo Times reporter about his recollections of the great fire. He replied "I ought to remember that fire. I had my ear burned in it". He told how his parents took him an his brothers and sisters and made them lie down by the spring under wet blankets. The family lived on a farm near Harmony.
Mr. Duket was born in the town of Porterfield on Oct 13, 1865. A cook and woodsman, he never married.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Feb 8 at 2 pm at the Harper funeral home in Peshtigo. The Rev Robert Firary officiated. Burial was in the Harmony cemetery.

He is survivied by a sister, Mrs. Bernice Buchanan of Florence (Wis) and nieces and nephews in Marinette.
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.Peshtigo Times (Wisconsin) .
. 1957. 

Wesley Duket Remembers The Fire
  “Remember the Peshtigo fire? I should; I had my ear burned in it,” replied Duket.  Tall, thin and bent with age, Duket can’t hear or see well.  The reporter had to shout his questions into his ear.  “We lived near Harmony Corners (several miles from Peshtigo).  When the balls of fire started coming down that night, my mother and father took us down to the spring.  We lay down on the ground and they wrapped us with wet quilts.  A ball of fire hit the house and it burned.  But my sister saved the sewing machine by wrapping it up with blankets.  “We had a team of oxen, one stayed with us at the spring; the other ran away and burned.  We had a shed of colts and we could hear them thrashing as they burned.  My brother wanted to open the door but my sister wouldn’t let him.  “Next morning my mother and father were blind.  (Only temporarily, though, he explained).  I went to see our neighbor—Mrs. Reinhart.  I liked her very much.  I found her dead; it really got me.  Part of her shawl—a little corner of it—had not burned and I kept it for many years.  I don’t know where it is now.” 
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Green Bay Press Gazette:

WILLIAM SEYMOUR   

William Seymour, 74, 717 Gale Street, a survivor of the Peshtigo fire of 1871, died at the local hospital Tuesday morning of causes incident to old age. Seymour was born at Peshtigo May 8, 1870, and following the Peshtigo conflagration, he was brought to Oconto and has resided here since. He is survived by a brother, John of Salem, Oregon, and a sister, Mrs. Chester Dubet (Duket), Marinette.  Interment in the Evergreen Cemetery.

Oconto County WI Death Record, Vol. 15, P. 547, William Seymour, born May 8, 1870 in Peshtigo. Father: Scott, born Peshtigo, Mother: Betsy Tourtilott. Died April 24, 1945 in Oconto of heart failure. Resided 717 Gale St. Informant:  Mrs. Chester Duket, Marinette. Never married.

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.Sheboygan Press (Wisconsin) .
.  February 5, 1957. 

. PESHTIGO FIRE SURVIVOR DIED.

Marinette - Chester F. Duket, 93, one of the few survivors of the great Peshtigo fire of 1871 that claimed the lives of 1,100 persons, died today at Marinette General Hospital.

Duket, the 7 years old, took refuge in the Peshtigo River and escaped fron the flames that levelled the town of the same day as the historic Chicago fire. A lumberman, he continued to live in the Peshtigo area until 44 years ago when he moved to Marinette. .

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Oconto County Reporter
June 30, 1883

DUKET—SMITH. At the residence of the brides parents in the town of Oconto, by the Ref. Wm. Rowbotham, Mr. Eber E. Duket, of Peshtigo, and Miss Kate Smith, of Oconto.

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Oconto County Reporter, Oconto, Wisconsin, 
April 17, 1903

BOUGHT DUKET HOUSE   

The Oconto Brewing Co has closed a deal for the purchase of the Duket Home, Peshtigo, and Thursday John J. McGillis will assume the management of the hotel. Mr. McGillis will not renew the lease of the Oconto Exchange Hotel in this city but will remove to Peshtigo. The Oconto Brewing Co. will make some improvement to the Duket building. Mr. McGillis has bought new furniture and will fit up the hotel in first class style.- Marinette Eagle

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Marinette Eagle-Star
2 Nov 1927

WOMAN DIES ON TUESDAY

Mrs. Jane Phillips, wife of R. Tyler Phillips of Porterfield, died Tuesday afternoon at 4:50 at her home of Paralysis. She was 75 years old and had been confined to bed five weeks.

Surviving Mr. Phillips are three children: Fred, with whom she made her home, Mrs. William Duket, Marinette, and Mrs. Robert Nelson, Milwaukee; two stepsons, John and Frank Phillips. The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon with the Rev. Mr. Lindbacher officiating, in the Reformed church at 2 o'clock.


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Oconto County Reporter
June 30, 1883

DUKET—SMITH. At the residence of the brides parents in the town of Oconto, by the Ref. Wm. Rowbotham, Mr. Eber E. Duket, of Peshtigo, and Miss Kate Smith, of Oconto. The happy couple have our best wishes for their domestic felicity and financial prosperity.

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