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William J. Duff

1856 – 1922

American football player

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About William J. Duff

Lived 1856 – 1922 (aged 65). William J. Duff was an American american football player and politician.

William J. Duff (August 17, 1856 – May 26, 1922) was an American football player, medical doctor, and state legislator. He played college football for the University of Michigan in 1882 to 1884.

Duff was born in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, in 1856. In 1868, the family moved to Fort Gratiot, now a part of Port Huron, Michigan. His father, George Duff, was an officer in the U.S. infantry stationed at Fort Gratiot. Duff attended the public schools of Port Huron and was sent to Ann Arbor High School for his preparatory education.

He enrolled at the University of Michigan where he studied medicine. While attending Michigan, he played college football for the 1882 and 1884 Michigan Wolverines football teams.

In 1885, Duff returned to Port Huron and entered the practice of medicine. During the Spanish–American War, he went to Cuba with the 33rd Michigan Volunteers. After the war, he served in the Michigan legislature in the sessions of 1899 and 1900. In June 1899, he married Wilhelmina Ross. They had one son, William Robert Mercer, born in 1901.

Duff died in May 1922 from angina pectoris.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
University of Michigan
Positions held
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
Also known as
William Duff, William James Duff

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped William J. Duff's

Frequently asked questions

Who was William J. Duff?

American football player (1856-1922)

When was William J. Duff born?

William J. Duff was born on 17 August 1856 in Allegheny, Pittsburgh.

When did William J. Duff die?

William J. Duff died on 26 May 1922 in Port Huron.

What was William J. Duff's occupation?

William J. Duff was an american football player and politician.

What nationality was William J. Duff?

William J. Duff was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: William J. Duff

· Wikidata: Q8013208

· DBpedia: William J. Duff

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William J. Duff. https://biography.guide/william-j-duff/

MLA: "William J. Duff." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-j-duff/.

Chicago: "William J. Duff." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-j-duff/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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