Kentucky: A History of the State, Battle, Perrin, & Kniffin, 7th ed., 
1887, Kenton Co.

JOSEPH RICH, son of Stephen and Nancy (Ducker) Rich, was born in Kenton
County, Ky., April 24, 1830.  Stephen Rich, a farmer of Kenton County,
of wealth and prominence, was born in Lancaster, Penn., June 12, 1787, 
and when only six years of age was brought to Kentucky by his father, 
who settled in the part of Campbell County, now Kenton, near Covington, 
and he grew to manhood in the forest of the infant State.  May 4, 1813,
Stephen Rich and Miss Nancy Ducker were married, and began life in
reduced circumstances, but by industry and economy he acquired an 
estate in the course of his life worth $30,000.  They settled first on 
Cruise's Creek, leasing a body of land, which he cleared and cultivated,
but, selling his right, purchased a body of land containing 100 acres, 
where he lived during his life.  This was two miles from Fiskburg.  He 
was a quiet man, seeking or holding no office, but devoting his entire 
attention to the business of his life--farming.  To Mr. and Mrs. Rich 
were born eleven children, of whom Joseph is the tenth.  On September 
16, 1868, Stephen Rich died, his widow following December 5, 1874.  
Nancy Ducker was the daughter of John and Mary (Hardesty) Ducker, the 
former of Maryland, the latter of Kentucky, who lived to a good old age,
acquiring a large slave estate.  John Ducker served in the Southern Army
during the American Revolution, and drew a pension in his old age.  
Stephen Rich, grandfather of Joseph Rich, was of Welsh origin, and a 
native of Pennsylvania.  He inherited a large fortune, which he lost, 
and immediately afterward immigrated to Kentucky, going into farming and
distilling, but leaving to his ten children (five of whom were boys) 
only a small estate.  He had married a Miss Blackburn, of English 
origin, and of a wealthy and influential family.  The Rich family 
originally came over from England with William Penn, and have always 
been a highly respected industrious family, who have universally 
followed agricultural pursuits.  Joseph Rich was educated in the common 
schools of Kenton County, which were then of a very inferior character. 
Like his ancestors, he has farmed successfully during his life, 
receiving 100 acres of land from his father, which he has increased to 
320 acres, worth $16,000.  In February, 1871, he was married to Miss 
Missouri Elliott, a daughter of William and Mary (Majors) Elliott, the 
former of Pennsylvania, the latter of Ohio.  William Elliott was a 
miller and farmer in moderate circumstances, and the Elliott is of 
English origin.  The Majors family is of Welsh extraction.  To the 
marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Rich have been born six children: Ollie V., 
Clara B., Mary, Stephen E., Nancy I. and Essie, who are all living.  Mr.
Rich is a Republican in politics, and is a member of the Masonic order.

Rich Ducker Hardesty Blackburn Elliott Majors Penn
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Campbell-KY Lancaster-PA MD OH England