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Alva Lease “Lease” Duckwall Sr.

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Birth	:	30 Aug 1877 Batavia, Clermont County, Ohio, USA
Death	:	2 Aug 1937 Abilene, Dickinson County, Kansas, USA
Burial	:	Abilene Cemetery, Abilene, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate	:	38.9322014, -97.2217026
Plot	:	Section 3, Lot 5 (Center round circle of cemetery.)
Description	:	Businessman. Duckwall, Alva Lease, 1877-1937, and Wilbur Duckwall born in Ohio, the family moved to Kansas in 1898. In 1901 "Lease" purchased a Racket Store in Abilene. Wilbur soon joined the business and Duckwall Brothers was founded, featuring everything needed for the home. ****** From Kansas: The First Century Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1956 p.9 "One of the outstanding merchandising executives of Kansas history, Alva Lease Duckwall built up the vast store chain bearing his name, now numbering sixty-five retail outlets in communities throughout Kansas and in eastern Colorado. Born on a farm near Batavia, Ohio, on August 30, 1877, he was a son of Francis... Read More	Businessman. Duckwall, Alva Lease, 1877-1937, and Wilbur Duckwall born in Ohio, the family moved to Kansas in 1898. In 1901 "Lease" purchased a Racket Store in Abilene. Wilbur soon joined the business and Duckwall Brothers was founded, featuring everything needed for the home. ****** From Kansas: The First Century Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1956 p.9 "One of the outstanding merchandising executives of Kansas history, Alva Lease Duckwall built up the vast store chain bearing his name, now numbering sixty-five retail outlets in communities throughout Kansas and in eastern Colorado. Born on a farm near Batavia, Ohio, on August 30, 1877, he was a son of Francis Marion and Sara Elizabeth (Slade) Duckwall. His father, who was a farmer, was born in Batavia on August 25, 1845, and died at Greenleaf, Kansas, September 19, 1900. Sara E. (Slade) Duckwall was born at Concord, Ohio, July 26, 1849, and died in Abilene on May 9, 1937. Reared on the home farm, A.L. Duckwall attended Greenbriar country school, and Batavia High School. He came to Kansas in 1898, and settled in Greenleaf. Moving to Abilene on May 10, 1901, he opened a variety store on Broadway Street. This was to become Retail Unit No. 1 of the A.L. Duckwall Stores Company, variety store group. The chain began to be forged when, in 1906, the young entrepreneur opened a second store at Salina. In 1915, a corporation was formed under the name of The A.L. Duckwall Stores Company. Mr. Duckwall was elected president. W.F. Duckwall was vice president and director; G.E. Duckwall was treasurer and director; S.L. Wagaman was secretary and director; and in addition to these men, E.H. Moore also served on the board. A.L. Duckwall continued to head the organization, and his remarkable commercial abilities resulted in its constant expansion, and the opening of new stores, until, at the time of his death, there were forty-two such outlets in Kansas and eastern Colorado. That was in 1937; and as it has continued its existence under a management of skill and vision, the number of stores now operated under Duckwall name has now reached sixty-five. Frank H. Buck is now president of the chain, A.L. Duckwall, Jr., and W.K. Grigg are vice presidents, Sam R. Heller is treasurer and G.E. Duckwall is secretary. C.L. Brainard is assistant secretary and R.G. Sanborn is assistant secretary-treasurer. Describing his role in the building of this large and widespread enterprise, the Abilene "Daily Reflector" commented, on the occasion of Mr. Duckwall's death: 'Mr. Duckwall was by instinct a good business man. To his progressiveness is due the growth and expansion of the companies, and to his conservatism the fact that the companies which he piloted went through the 1920-1921 and the 1929-1933 storms safely. Two other qualities which contribute toward making him a fine executive were his square shooting and his ability to get the most out of men without driving them.' Besides his major business interest as head of The A.L. Duckwall Stores Company, he was president of The Western Merchandise Company, and a director of the Farmers National Bank, the Dickinson County Building and Loan Association, the Dye Candy Company of Kansas City, Missouri, and the Nehi Bottling Works. He had an interest in the Smith Barber and Beauty Supply Company. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club and the Free and Accepted Masons. In the Masonic order he was a member of the higher bodies, including the Chapter and Commandery at Abilene, the Consistory of the Scottish Rite, and the temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Salina. He was an official of the local chapter of the American Red Cross and the Young Men's Christian Association, and was a charter member of the Abilene Country Club. He attended Trinity Lutheran Church. On February 11, 1904, Alva Lease Duckwall married Retta Leota White, at Wakefield. They became parents of three children: 1. Dorris Moyne, who was born on January 2, 1905. 2. Donna Gayle, born February 28, 1907. She is the wife of Mr. C.L. Brainard. 3. Alva Lease, Jr. He is an official of The A.L. Duckwall Stores Company. At the time of Mr. Duckwall's death there was one grandchild: Diane Gayle Brainard. The merchandising executive died on August 2, 1937, in his office and among his business associates. The Abilene "Daily Reflector," in its outline of his career, gives these words of description which serve to give a fuller picture of the character of the man: 'Mr. Duckwall was everyone's friend. The extent of his friends can scarcely be estimated. He was quick to help and slow to criticize. A tireless worker, tremendously interested in business, he always had time for a joke or friendly chat. His creed in life was to help others, to teach others to help themselves.'

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Alva Lease “Lease” Duckwall Sr.'s memorial?
Alva Lease “Lease” Duckwall Sr.'s memorial is located at: Abilene Cemetery, Abilene, Dickinson County, USA.
When did Alva Lease “Lease” Duckwall Sr. death?
Alva Lease “Lease” Duckwall Sr. death on 2 Aug 1937 in Abilene, Dickinson County, Kansas, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Alva Lease “Lease” Duckwall Sr.'s memorial?
Latitude: 38.9322014
Longitude: -97.2217026

Family Members:

Parent

Francis Marion “Frank” Duckwall

(1845 - 1900)

Sarah Elizabeth Slade Duckwall

(1849 - 1937)

Spouse

Retta Leota White Duckwall

(1882 - 1948)

Siblings

Flora Bell Duckwall Swingle

(1870 - 1935)

Medrith Ezekiel Duckwall

(1873 - 1947)

Edna May Duckwall

(1880 - 1901)

Glenn Eldon Duckwall

(1884 - 1967)

Children

Dorris Moyne Duckwall

(1906 - 1992)

Donna Gayle Duckwall Brainard

(1907 - 1986)

Lieut Alva Lease “Al” Duckwall Jr.

(1919 - 1996)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Abilene Cemetery
Abilene, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9322014, -97.2217026

2. Mount Saint Joseph Cemetery
Abilene, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9442170, -97.2218690

3. Saint John's Episcopal Church Memorial Garden
Abilene, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9202700, -97.2137300

4. Dwight D. Eisenhower Municipal Building
Abilene, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9191100, -97.2155700

5. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum Chapel
Abilene, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9118450, -97.2129410

6. Brown Memorial Cemetery
Abilene, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 38.8755950, -97.1993410

7. Farmington Cemetery
Abilene, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 38.8707800, -97.1860200

8. Detroit Cemetery
Detroit, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9439300, -97.1255100

9. Union Cemetery
Buckeye, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0243988, -97.1856003

10. Mount Hope Cemetery
Enterprise, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 38.8869019, -97.1121979

11. Zion Cemetery
Abilene, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0319240, -97.2045850

12. Prairie Mound Cemetery
Solomon, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9193993, -97.3527985

13. Scheiller Cemetery
Enterprise, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 38.8669014, -97.1106033

14. Bethel Cemetery
Moonlight, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0022011, -97.1110535

15. Lutheran Cemetery #17
Enterprise, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9009209, -97.0734787

16. Prairiedale Cemetery
Talmage, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0471992, -97.2652969

17. Newbern Cemetery
Holland, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 38.8133011, -97.2427979

18. Buckeye Cemetery
Buckeye, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 39.0463070, -97.1665840

19. Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Enterprise, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 38.8885150, -97.0749560

20. Mount Calvary Cemetery
Saline County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9247017, -97.3891983

21. Harmony Cemetery
Holland, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 38.7985430, -97.2632760

22. Roggendorf Family Cemetery
New Cambria, Saline County, USA
Coordinate: 38.8803940, -97.3926160

23. Lemcke Cemetery
New Cambria, Saline County, USA
Coordinate: 38.8770730, -97.4022430

24. Indian Hill Cemetery
Chapman, Dickinson County, USA
Coordinate: 38.9714012, -97.0327988