BIOGRAPHIES: Mathias "Mates" DUDA, Oak Grove Township, Barron County, WI

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This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:  
Vic Gulickson <vic@indy.net>  24 February 2002	
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Mathias Duda, generally known as "Mates," a prosperous farmer who has
lived on 120 acres in section 3, Oak Grove Township, since 1900, a period
of more than twenty years, was born in Bohemia, Feb. 24, 1851, and was
there educated. As a youth he learned the brick making trade and took up
that occupation as his life work. In 1874, however, he determined to seek
his fortunes in a land of wider opportunity. Accordingly he came to America
and located in Kewaunee, Kewaunee County, Wis., where he was employed in
the shingle mills. In 1880 he went to Antigo, Langlade County, Wis., and
bought eighty acres of land on which he lived for twenty years. He put up a
set of buildings., improved the land, and became a prosperous and respected
citizen. Then he sold out and purchased his present place. He erected a set
of buildings and cleared forty acres. From time to time he made other
improvements and developments, and in 1920 built a modern barn, 34 by 54
feet, equipped with modern fixtures and appliances. Mr. Duda still lives on
this farm, but has turned the active management over to his son, Anton, who
is an energetic young man, well liked throughout the neighborhood. Mr. Duda
was married April 21, 1879, to Elizabeth Miller, who was born in Kewaunee,
Wis., April 7, 1861, daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth (Chesak) Miller,
natives respectively of Germany and Bohemia, and both now deceased. Mr. and
Mrs. Duda have nine children: Mates, Mary, Anna, Anton, Libbie, Emma,
Theresa, Isadora and Joseph. Mates was born Feb. 24, 1880, and lives in
Missouri. Mary was born Jan. 19, 1884, and is the wife of Lewis Walter, of
Athens, Wis. Anna was born May 8, 1887, and is the wife of Robert Lothian,
of Bloomer, Wis. Anton was born April 3, 1889, and operates the home farm.
Libbie was born Feb. 2, 1892, and is the wife of Joseph Snephana, of
Bloomer, Wis. Emma was born July 15, 1894, and is the wife of John Drost,
of Brill, this county. Theresa was born May 27, 1897, and is an instructor
of the blind at Janesville, Wis. Isadora was born May 6, 1899, and is a
graduate of a college at Dorchester, Mass. Joseph was born Feb. 12, 1902,
and is at home. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic church.

--Taken from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co.,
1922, pp. 342-343.