BIO: Mordecai DUFF, Huntingdon County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, page 153.
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  MORDECAI DUFF, McAlevys Fort, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born in 
Barree township, December 24, 1834, son of John and Barbara (Randolph) 
Duff. John Duff was born near Belleville, Mifflin county, Pa.; he was a 
son of John Duff, and brother of Reuben Duff, of Barree township. After 
a limited education, he began life on his father's farm; he afterwards 
rented a farm in Barree township, and he added to his profits by taking 
jobs of work, such as chopping wood, etc. Having by labor and economy 
acquired some means, Mr. Duff bought the farm on which his son Mordecai 
now resides, and for which he paid $5,000 in 1842. A portion of the 
tract, some sixty acres, was in timber; only forty acres were cleared. 
He built two dwellings and barns, besides a saw-mill, which he either 
conducted himself or rented to others. Mr. Duff cleared fifty acres, 
and planted orchards, besides making other improvements. John Duff was 
married in Barree township; the family of his wife, Barbara Randolph, 
came from Holland; she was born in Dauphin county, Pa. Their children 
are: Jonathan, deceased, was a very clever lawyer, of Pontiac, Ill.; 
Mary, deceased, wife of Strong Campbell, of Illinois; Winifred (Mrs. 
Dr. D. Stewart), of Iowa City, Ia.; Mordecai; Edmund, a physician of 
Harrisburg, Pa. John Duff was a very stout and heavy person. He was a 
sound Democrat, and was elected to various township offices, auditor, 
school director, supervisor, etc. From both parents, the family 
received the most affectionate care; they not only worked hard to give 
their family a comfortable living and a good start in life, but 
afforded them as good an education as lay in their power. John Duff 
lived to the age of eighty-seven; he died in August, 1893, and is 
buried in the Presbyterian church-yard in Jackson township.
  His second son, Mordecai Duff, was educated in the common schools of 
Jackson township. He never lived anywhere but upon the homestead, in 
the cultivation of which he was his father's assistant until the father 
was past the age for active business; he then took entire charge of the 
farm. He bought the homestead in 1885, paying $5,000 for it. He has 
been all his life an industrious man, never avoiding hard work; by his 
farming operations, and by raising and dealing in stock, he has made 
good profits, and secured a support for his family and a provision 
against his own declining years. Mr. Duff is a Democrat; he was for 
three years auditor of the township. He belongs to the Grange, and is 
its gatekeeper. His worthy character, honorable dealings and genial 
manner have gained for him the respect and liking of his acquaintances.
  Mordecai Duff was married in Barree township, in 1863, to Margaret 
E., daughter of Jacob Smith, of that township. She was born in Centre 
county, and is of German descent. Their children are: Winifred (Mrs. 
John A. Weiler), of Jackson township; Wilbert O., theological student 
of the Methodist Episcopal church, at Ennisville, Pa.; Thomas J., 
attending school; Edmund E. and Charles C., twins, at home; John S.; 
William R.; Evestell T.; and Ewan W.; the four last named are all 
deceased. Mr. Duff and family attend the Methodist church.