DUKE, David J. - 1890 Bio (1825-1909)

DUKE, JOHNSTON, DRENNER, JOHNSON, RITT, HONE, EMERY, EMRY

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/4/2007 at 16:36:24

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 335-336

David DUKE, who is the owner of a good farm of one hundred and sixty-eight acres on section 2, Black Hawk Township, Jefferson County, was born in Virginia, February 3, 1825. The family is of Irish origin and was founded in America by James DUKE, the grandfather of our subject, who emigrated from the Green Isle of Erin to the New World, in the eighteenth century. His son, Thomas, a Virginian by birth, learned the cooper's trade in his youth and in connection with that occupation operated a small farm in his native State, but after his emigration to Ohio, about the year 1853, he devoted himself exclusively to agricultural pursuits. He served in the War of 1812, and soon after his return from the army married Miss Sidney JOHNSTON, who belonged to an old Virginian family. They were the parents of the following children, the two eldest of whom, James and Susan, are now deceased; Thomas is living in Virginia; David is the next younger; Mary J. is the wife of Jacob DRENNER, of Kansas; Sarah J. is the wife of Elwood JOHNSON, of Iowa; Emily married Benjamin RITT, of Virginia; Hugh R. is living in Woodburn, Iowa; Catherine and Julia are deceased; and Luther L. is a resident of Jefferson County.

In his youth David DUKE received a good English education, but otherwise his advantages were limited, as his father was limited in circumstances, had a large family dependent upon him for support and, therefore, could not provide his children with better opportunities. At the age of seventeen years David bade good-by to his home, left the parental roof and started out in life for himself. He became the manager of a large plantation, of which he had charge three years, and then spent the succeeding five years in travel. On the 5th of March, 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss Phoebe HONE, of Ohio, and five days later, accompanied by his bride, started for the West. He made a settlement in Washington County, Iowa, but after renting a farm for two years came to Jefferson County and shortly afterwards purchased land in Keokuk County just across the division line. He there made his home until 1876, when he purchased eighty-eight acres of land on section 2, Black Hawk Township, to which he has since added another eighty-acre tract. He was also owner of an additional quarter-section of land, but that he divided among his children. His farm is one of the best in the neighborhood, a fine residence, good barns and outbuildings, the latest improved machinery and well-tilled fields all indicating the thrift and expertise of the owner, who ranks among the leading agriculturists of Jefferson County. He is an intelligent and successful business man, who identified himself with the best interests of the community, and is ever ready to aid in the promotion of such enterprises as will advance the general welfare. In political sentiment Mr. DUKE is a Democrat, but supported President Lincoln and his administration during the war. He has represented his township in the conventions of his party, but believing it to be more profitable to devote his time and energies to his business, has never sought political preferment. Socially, he is a Royal Arch Mason and his wife is a member of the Methodist Church.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. DUKE have been born seven children -- William, who was born December 6, 1857, and was liberally educated, having been a student in the college at Pella, is now a farmer of Woodburn, Iowa; Walter, born March 8, 1858, was also afforded ample opportunity for securing an education, and is a leading farmer of Keokuk County; Artemesia is the wife of Eli EMERY (sic - EMRY), of Black Hawk Township; Herod, who was graduated from the Elliott Business College, of Burlington, Iowa, is a hardware merchant of Hedrick; Minnie, Frank and Fred, the latter twins, are the younger members of the family, and are still with their parents.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.