J. LON DUCKWORTH
by Margaret D. Sewell

Lon Duckworth was born in 1899 in Choestoe Valley near Blairsville, GA. His father was killed in 1911 leaving his wife on the farm with Lon the only boy there. One boy was married and uthe other two had gone looking for work. Although the father could neither read nor write, he emphasized to his children that they must get educations. Lon took this to heart and after attending the little local school he headed for Young Harris College which at that time also had a high school. Lon had to manage the little dirt farm and help his mother take care of the three little girls still at home. He would walk almost ten miles on weekends to chop wood, plow, plant, whatever needed to be done and in addition tried to find little jobs to give them some cash. When he married he told his wife that if she ever didn't want to cook, or  didn't know what to fix, eggs would be fine. He never got them at home since they could be sold or traded at the store.

Lon managed at Young Harris but one day realized he could stay no longer. He went to his land lady at the rooming house and told her he could not be back for the next term. She went to President Joe Sharp and told him what Lon had said. She said, "That young man has promise. He is going to go somewhere and we have to help him do it. If you will give him tuition, I'll give him room and board." In that way he was able to complete his courses, finishing there in 1920.

As a child Lon had gone to Blairsville with his father for "court week." That is probably where he found his love of the law. Somewhere he learned of Emory University and the Lamar School, and he determined to further his education there. Once again he took care of the family, tended the farm, and worked part time to get enough for a school he had never seen in a city he had never been to. At that time only two years of college were required for acceptance so he was ready for the new experience. By working weekends he was able to pay to live in the dorm and have money for food. After the first year he only had enough money for his tuition. Two of his mends who were as poor as he went together and bought a World War 1 army tent, pitched it on Clifton Road on the corner where the president's 'house is now located. They had a small stove and kerosene lamps so they could cook and stay fairly warm.' Going home summers to take care of the family and working every minute he could spare, he graduated in 1923 second in his class.

On a bulletin board on campus he saw an ad asking for a new graduate to practice in Bastrop, LA. He nswered the ad and headed west. He adored the old man who hired him, but he was homesick and needed to get back to see about his mother. He asked for time off to go to Atlanta for a Baptist youth meeting. He took everything he owned except for his Emory annuals and headed back to Atlanta. Almost immediately he was hired by the law firm McElreath and Scott. He became their trial lawyer with an excellent reputation and many successful trials. As Mr. McElreath aged and was unable to handle all his work, Lon gradually took over the Life Insurance Company of Georgia account. On Mr. McElreth's retirement, Lon moved his office to the Insurance company building in 1942 and was general counsel, vice-president and on the board of directors.

All his life, next to the love he had for God, his wife Ruth and their only daughter, Margaret, he loved Young Harris College. Many times he would say, "If it weren't for that place I would still be plowing on the back side of a montain." He showed that love as long as he lived in work for the college. He made connections with peple who became generous contributors and solicated money and gave of his time on the board, speaking and urging students to attend, and paying for several who would have been denied an education. He seldom if ever missed Home Coming.

On his death, the family asked that contributions be sent to the college instead of sending flowers to the funeral. Oh, he would have been so proud of all the money that rolled in. In appreciation for all his work and love, and with the help of many who gave generously, the library is named in his honor: a wonderful tribute to a poor little country boy whose father could neither read nor write.

            This page was last updated on September 6, 2009