The Klickitat County Agriculturist, Goldendale, WA., July 24, 1909, page 1
"Klickitat Intelligence"

     John Ducey, one of the earliest settlers of Klickitat county, died at his home, near Bickleton, Tuesday last, the funeral services being held from the Catholic church in this city on Thursday. Mr. John Ducey, was the owner of a well improved farm located about four miles east of the town of Bickleton. He was a native of Cork, Ireland, born July 7, 1849. His father was also Irish and likewise a farmer by occupation. He died in his native country several years ago. His mother, whose maiden name was Abina Welch, was Irish, too, and she is also deceased. Mr. Ducey was educated in the schools of his native land, like-wise on his father's farm, where he learned the ins and outs of a farmer's life. Before becoming of age, he heard of the many opportunities a young man would have in the United States, and wishing to better his condition, he early emigrated to the United States, settling first in California. For ten years and more he lived in the Golden state, engaged in agricultural pursuits, but in the year 1879, when he was thirty years of age, he removed to Bickleton, Klickitat county. He immediately took up land as a homestead, and on the tract to which he thus obtained title he has since made his home, improving the property and raising both agricultural products and livestock. This locality was wild and practically unsettled when he first arrived, and it was not considered a good grain country, but it would become adaptable to grain raising in a short time, and his belief has since turned out to be correct. The cultivation of the surrounding country has increased the rainfall, with the result that the entire district has become a fertile and productive land. He had to start in the cattle business in a small way at first, but he increased his stock rapidly, and had over two hundred cattle, also many hogs of the Poland-China species. He took pride in the breeding of Durham cattle and sturdy draft horses. His place is well improved and his out buildings are ample for the storage of farm products. His land consists of a section and a half, all in a body, six hundred acres of which are in cultivation and employed in part in producing feed for his stock; he also has two orchards in full bearing. He was greatly impressed with the country from an agricultural standpoint and had implicit faith in its future as one of the most productive wheat and grain sections of this western country. Mr. Ducey was one of a family of four, of whom only one, besides himself, is still alive. Her name is now Abina Shaw. In religion, Mr. Ducey, was a Catholic, and in political persuasion a Republican. He held the office of school director in his district and was greatly interested in good schools, and willing to pay taxes accordingly. Mr. Ducey was an energetic and successful farmer, a good businessman, a public spirited citizen, and a forceful factor in the up-building of his community and country.

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©  Jeffrey L. Elmer