Duff, J. R. (1899 Pioneer) (Newton City) - The firm of Duff & Duff is one of the leading ones in Newton, Kansas, and one of the directing spirits of that enterprising city is J.R. Duff, who is the subject of this sketch. The birth of Mr. Duff was in Baltimore, Maryland, on October 27, 1861, and he was a son of Henry and Mary A. (Flaherty) Duff, the former of whom was of Scotch-Irish descent, born on the border, and the latter was a native of Maryland. By trade the father of our subject was a contractor and builder, and his home for many years was in Springfield, Illinois, where he died in 1887, at the age of sixty-eight years. He was a worthy and consistent member of the Brethren church. His widow is one of the respected residents of Springfield. J. R. Duff, who is our subject, was the oldest of the eight children in the family, six of whom are still living, one brother, Albert J. Duff, being a member of the firm of Duff & Duff. Our subject was educated in the public schools, including the high school, in Springfield, Illinois, and then learned the trade of cabinet-maker, carpenter and upholsterer, first in Springfield, later in Chicago, whither he went in 1880. For nine years the latter city was his home, where he worked at his trade with satisfaction and success, but in 1891 he moved to Kansas, locating in Arkansas City, and there opening up a business in furniture and undertaking, which latter branch he had also learned during his residence in Chicago. In March, 1899, Mr. Duff came to Newton, Kansas, and bought the interest of W. C. Powers in the same line, and the firm now occupies the Gertsen block, which has seventy-five feet of frontage and one hundred and fifty feet of depth, which they occupy to the full capacity. Duff & Duff carry the largest line and the most complete stock within a radius of several counties and they do an immense business through the small towns included within fifty miles, giving the people a chance to select from a large and varied assortment without being obliged to go to one of the large centers. This stock comprises furniture, carpets, draperies and curtains of all kinds and also displays the latest designs in house fittings of all descriptions. Mr. Duff is also an experienced embalmer. The marriage of Mr. Duff was on November 21, 1885, to Miss Adah Beard, who was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and who was a daughter of H. N. Beard, both parents being now deceased. The three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Duff were Macile, Eva, and Albert. The religious connection of the family is with the Episcopal church, while in politics Mr. Duff is an active Republican. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order, a thirty-second degree Mason, and has been five times a delegate to the grand lodge; also he is connected with the order of Knights of Pythias, and has been secretary and venerable counsel in the order of Woodmen of America. There is no business citizen who stands higher in public regard than our subject. He has won his own way to the front, has honestly placed himself among the substantial citizens of Harvey County, and is justly regarded as a representative business man of this thriving city.