Odilon DeCelle dit Duclos was born near Montreal, Quebec, Canada on April 22, 1844. Odilon Duclos had a brother named Felix Duclos, born on July 6, 1850, and a sister by the name of Adelaide Duclos, born about 1845. He signed his marriage certificate to Euphasia Dugas in Belle Prairie, Morrison Co, MN on January 24, 1869, as Odilon De Celle dit Duclos.
Adelaide (Odilon’s sister) married Frank Xavier Goulet, in Little Falls, Morrison County, Minnesota, on February 17, 1871. The couple had 2 sons, Philip and Leopold Goulet (birth dates unknown). Adelaide died in Staples, Morrison County, Minnesota, on December 24, 1926, and is buried in Belle Prairie, Morrison County, Minnesota.
The 1875 Minnesota census showed Odilon Duclos (age 30, born in Canada) married to Frazie (age 23, born in Canada) and living in Belle Prairie Township, Morrison County, Minnesota. Children Adalia (age 5, born in Minnesota), Zephir (age 3, born in Minnesota), Addie (age 1, born in Minnesota), and Odilon (age 0, born in Michigan) also lived with the couple.
The 1885 Minnesota census showed O. Duclos (age 40, born in Canada) married to Florie (age 33, born in Canada) and living in Pike Creek Township, Morrison County, Minnesota. Children Edith (age 15, born in Minnesota), Suprien (age 13, born in Minnesota), Ida (age 11, born in Minnesota), Abila (age 9, born in Minnesota), Clariea (age 7, born in Minnesota), Arsine (age 5, born in Minnesota), Lina (age 3, born in Minnesota), and Oscar (age 1, born in Minnesota) also lived with the couple.
For The New Mission School. Mr. Duclos, and experienced brick manufacturer from Little Falls, came up here last week at the instance of Rev. Father Aloysious, O. S. B., his presence here was for the purpose of ascertaining the location and testing the quality of clay for brick material adjacent to the village and with a view of establishing a brick yard the coming Spring and manufacturing the brick to be used in the building of the St. Benedict Mission School to be established at this agency under the auspices of an through the benign munificence of those noble lady philanthropists, the Drexel sisters of Philadelphia. Mr. Duclos is well satisfied with the quality of the clay tested and believes that it can be utilized and manufactured into an excellent class of brick. The cord wood needed for the brick kilns has been contracted for, and, at this writing, is about half cut. It is probable that the brick needed for the exterior finish of the buildings will be purchased from some point outside, however, this cannot be positively ascertained until a more thorough test of the kiln manufactured brick, at this place, can be had. Should the test prove satisfactory then no material outside but will be manufactured here. In next week’s issue we will endeavor to give our readers a full and detailed description of the proposed new school buildings. (The Progress, White Earth Agency, Minnesota, Saturday, March 9, 1889, Volume II, Number 15, Page 4)
The 1895 Minnesota census showed Odilon Duclos (age 51, born in Canada, brick maker) married to Huefresie (age 43, born in Canada) and living in Pike Creek Township, Morrison County, Minnesota. Children Cytrylests (age 23, born in Minnesota, engineer), Arcene (age 15, born in Minnesota), Lena (age 13, born in Minnesota), Oscar (age 16, born in Minnesota), Ernest (age 7, born in Minnesota), Arthur (age 5, born in Minnesota), Noella (age 3, born in Minnesota), and Louis (age 1, born in Minnesota) also lived with the couple.
The 1900 United States census showed Odilon Duclos (age 56, born in April 1844 in Canada, brickyard owner) married to Frosie (age 48, born in March 1852 in Canada) and living in Pike Creek Township, Morrison County, Minnesota. Children Clarissa (age 20, born in July 1879 in Minnesota), Lena (age 18, born in May 1882 in Minnesota), Oscar (age 16, born in October 1883 in Minnesota), Ernest (age 13, born in October 1886 in Minnesota), Arthur (age 10, born in December 1889 in Minnesota), Louella (age 8, born in December 1891 in Minnesota), and Francis (age 6, born in April 1894 in Minnesota) also lived with the couple.
The 1905 Minnesota census showed Odilon Duclos (age 61, born in Canada, brick manufacturer) married to Huphrasie (age 53, born in Canada) and living in Pike Creek Township, Morrison County, Minnesota. Children Claris (age 26, born in Minnesota), Lena (age 22, born in Minnesota), Arthur (age 15, born in Minnesota), Nuella (age 13, born in Minnesota), and Francis (age 11, born in Minnesota) also lived with the couple.
The 1910 United States census showed Odilon D. Duclos (age 65, born in Canada, retired brick maker) married to Euphrasie (age 58, born in Canada) and living in Little Falls, Morrison County, Minnesota. Children Lena (age 21, born in Minnesota), Noella (age 18, born in Minnesota), and Francis (age 16, born in Minnesota) also lived with the couple.
A few days ago O. Duclos received the sad news of the death of his brother (August 7, 1910), Exis Duclos, in British Columbia. The two brothers came to Little Falls in 1866. Soon after, they made the first brick for St. John’s University in Stearns county. About 1875 Exis and his family moved to the Pacific coast. He will be remembered by the old settlers as a man of excellent character. (unknown source)
FRENCH SETTLERS OF THE SIXTIES. …, Odilon Duclos,… (History of Morrison and Toddy Counties Minnesota, Volume I, Their People, Industries and Institutions, Clara K. Fuller, B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana, 1915, Page 71)
The 1920 United States census showed Odilon Duclos (age 75, born in Canada) married to Euphresia (age 67, born in Canada) and living in Seattle, Washington. He lived with Evila Duclos (age 44, born in Michigan) and Caroline (age 43, born in Canada).
The 1930 United States census showed O Delion Duclos (age 85, born in Canada) married to Euphrasie (age 77, born in Canada) and living in Compton, California.
O. Duclos Dies in California. Word was received of the death of O. Duclos, which occurred in Compton, Cal., on May 31 (1930). Mr. Duclos was well known to the people of Morrison county, having operated a brickyard west of the city for many years. The following account is taken from the June 3 issue of the Compton, Calif., News-Tribune: "Odilon Duclos, 86, a resident of Compton continuously for the last 10 years, passed away Saturday morning after being stricken with paralysis some 12 days ago. Mr. Duclos, who earlier lived in Compton about 19 years ago, was born in St. Cesaire, (Quebec) Canada (April 22, 1844), and was 86 years old April 22. At an early age he became a citizen of Minnesota where he was married over 61 years ago to Miss Euphrasie Dugas. Mrs. Duclos survives him. "Ten of the 15 children born to the couple survive. They are Cyprien Duclos of Fresno, Avilo Duclos of Long Beach, Arsene Duclos of Monita, Ernest Duclos of Seattle, Arthur Duclos of San Francisco, Francis Duclos of Los Angeles, Sister Mary of the Cross of Marcelin, Sask., Mrs. George King and Mrs. Alice Hart of St. Paul, Minn., and Mrs. Frank Hall of Worthington, Minn. "There are also 23 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. "Mr. Duclos has been suffering from total blindness the last six years and was known among his neighbors as a high example of patience and resignation. He was a devout member of the Catholic church from which he was buried Monday. His sons acted as pall bearers; only one, Ernest Duclos, was unable to be present, and a grandson took his place. Father Gabriel Ryan conducted the services and interment was at Calvary cemetery under the direction of Moreland’s mortuary. A host of friends mourned his passing. (unknown source)