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Frederick Joseph Duff

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Frederick Joseph Duff

Birth
West Columbia, Brazoria County, Texas, USA
Death
19 Aug 1932 (aged 73)
Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas, USA
Burial
West Columbia, Brazoria County, Texas, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
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DUFF, Hon. FREDERICK J.
Hon. Frederick J. Duff, of Beaumont, is one of the leaders of the east Texas bar, both in railroad and criminal law, and has occupied the county bench and represented Brazoria and Galveston counties in the state legislature as one of the prominent Democrats of Texas. He is a native of the former county, born in Columbia, August 6, 1859, and is a son of George W. and Mattie (Culpepper) Duff.
Frederick J., received his earlier education in the public schools of his native town and Baltimore (Maryland), as well as at the Baltimore City College. For three years thereafter he was a steamboat hand at various Texas ports, his law readings being pursued while thus employed, and in his father's office. In May, 1881, he was admitted to the bar, by examination before the Eighteenth District Court, and afterward passed the test of the Supreme Court. Mr. Duff commenced practice in Brazoria County, and for nearly twenty years continually advanced in the professional and political fields. For two years he served as county judge of Brazoria County; assisted in organizing "The White Man's Union," which still controls the politics of the county, and was an active member of the Eighteenth legislature as a representative of Brazoria and Galveston counties. It was also during this period that he established his reputation as a criminal lawyer, making it second to none in eastern Texas. One of the instances given illustrating his remarkable power over a jury is the acquittal of one of his clients after the defendant had plead guilty to the charge of murder.
In 1900 Mr. Duff located at Beaumont as attorney for the Santa Fe System at that point, and his practice has since been largely devoted to corporation work, especially as relates to railroads. He was general attorney for the Beaumont & Western Railway when it was built by himself and brother, that line being now a part of the Frisco System. Until July 1, 1909, Mr. Duff was attorney for the Orange & Northwestern Railroad, and is now general attorney for the Gulf & Interstate Railway Company, attorney for the Beaumont & Great Northern Railway, and assistant attorney for the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railroad. The character of his fraternal life is indicated by his membership in St. John Lodge, No. 5, A. F. & A. M., of Columbia, the oldest in the state; Columbia Chapter, No. 34, R. A. M., and Beaumont Commandery, No. 38, K. T.; also by his affiliation with Beaumont Lodge, No. 311, B. P. O. E., and with the Beaumont Country Club, of which he is a charter member. In 1883 Mr. Duff married Miss Clinton Terry, of Brazoria County, and their son, Terry Duff, is professionally associated with his father. Historical Review of South-East Texas, Vol 2, by Dermot Hardy and Maj. Ingham S. Robert, by The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1910
DUFF, Hon. FREDERICK J.
Hon. Frederick J. Duff, of Beaumont, is one of the leaders of the east Texas bar, both in railroad and criminal law, and has occupied the county bench and represented Brazoria and Galveston counties in the state legislature as one of the prominent Democrats of Texas. He is a native of the former county, born in Columbia, August 6, 1859, and is a son of George W. and Mattie (Culpepper) Duff.
Frederick J., received his earlier education in the public schools of his native town and Baltimore (Maryland), as well as at the Baltimore City College. For three years thereafter he was a steamboat hand at various Texas ports, his law readings being pursued while thus employed, and in his father's office. In May, 1881, he was admitted to the bar, by examination before the Eighteenth District Court, and afterward passed the test of the Supreme Court. Mr. Duff commenced practice in Brazoria County, and for nearly twenty years continually advanced in the professional and political fields. For two years he served as county judge of Brazoria County; assisted in organizing "The White Man's Union," which still controls the politics of the county, and was an active member of the Eighteenth legislature as a representative of Brazoria and Galveston counties. It was also during this period that he established his reputation as a criminal lawyer, making it second to none in eastern Texas. One of the instances given illustrating his remarkable power over a jury is the acquittal of one of his clients after the defendant had plead guilty to the charge of murder.
In 1900 Mr. Duff located at Beaumont as attorney for the Santa Fe System at that point, and his practice has since been largely devoted to corporation work, especially as relates to railroads. He was general attorney for the Beaumont & Western Railway when it was built by himself and brother, that line being now a part of the Frisco System. Until July 1, 1909, Mr. Duff was attorney for the Orange & Northwestern Railroad, and is now general attorney for the Gulf & Interstate Railway Company, attorney for the Beaumont & Great Northern Railway, and assistant attorney for the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railroad. The character of his fraternal life is indicated by his membership in St. John Lodge, No. 5, A. F. & A. M., of Columbia, the oldest in the state; Columbia Chapter, No. 34, R. A. M., and Beaumont Commandery, No. 38, K. T.; also by his affiliation with Beaumont Lodge, No. 311, B. P. O. E., and with the Beaumont Country Club, of which he is a charter member. In 1883 Mr. Duff married Miss Clinton Terry, of Brazoria County, and their son, Terry Duff, is professionally associated with his father. Historical Review of South-East Texas, Vol 2, by Dermot Hardy and Maj. Ingham S. Robert, by The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1910


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