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.'
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.'
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.'
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.'
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