William H. Duke Biographical Sketch from Beers History of Warren County, Ohio
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William H. Duke

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Transcription contributed by Martie Callihan 27 March 2005

Sources:
The History of Warren County Ohio
Part V. Biographical Sketches
Wayne Township
(Chicago, IL: W. H. Beers Co, 1882; reprint, Mt. Vernon, IN: Windmill Publications, 1992)
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WILLIAM H. DUKE saw-mill and farmer; P. O. Waynesville; born in Virginia Oct. 30, 1833; is a son of William and Rebecca (Roland) Duke, natives of Virginia. The grandparents were Richard and Elizabeth Duke, natives of Maryland, but became residents of Virginia when he died, when William was 8 years of age. who, with his brother John, 2 years older, was raised by their mother; William married and became the father of five sons and five daughters; all grew to maturity; six now survive—Elizabeth, now Mrs. Compton, living in Indiana; George, also in Indiana: Martha, now Mrs. Corron, residing in Dayton; Richard M., William H. and Rebecca (now Mrs. Sides, residing in Dayton). Mr. Duke with his family and his mother emigrated to Ohio in the fall of 1839 and located and spent the winter at Rushville, and, in the spring of 1840, came to Warren County and located on the place known as the Ichabod Corwin farm, where they resided six years: thence to the Arnet farm, near Ridgeville, where, in September, 1869, his wife died; his mother died in June, 1840. In the spring of 1870, he made a sale and moved to Raysville, where he has since resided with his son, our subject. Mr. Duke

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made farming his business and met with fair success. He began in life with no capital, and, by his own labor and industry, raised a large family and obtained a good competency. He is now in his 80th year, is quite spry and active, and says he has never paid $10 for a doctor bill in his entire life. Our subject was about six years of age when he came to this county with his parents, and here grew to manhood: was married, Jan. 8, 1857, to Anna Eliza, daughter of Moses and Sarah (Eulas) Crosley, natives of Kentucky, whose families were among the first settlers of Warren and Montgomery Counties. Moses was a son of William Crosley, who was one of the leading and prominent men of that day, Moses and Sarah were parents of eleven children, eight now survive—Marion, Anna Eliza. Jacob, Luken, Powell, Jane, Milton, Fremont. Mr. Duke and wife have had nine children, eight now living—Marion, born March 18, 1860: Elmer, born June 26, 1862 (deceased); Jesse May, March 25, 1864; Frank H., Aug. 12, 1865; Etta Adelia, March 8, 1868; Polka Evalenia, June 17, 1871; Jennie, Aug. 5, 1873; Clara Charlotte, June 7, 1876; and Anna Zoe Ella, born Oct. 8, 1879. Mr. Duke followed farming in Wayne and Clear Creek Townships till 1866, when he located at Raysville and entered upon the sawmill and lumber-business, which, in connection with farming, he has since followed; he has also dealt extensively in fruit and other products of the country — in fact, has been a man of general business; a man of great energy and activity, and a leading spirit in all the public progress and improvements of Raysville and vicinity. The present good roads and pikes, the schools and churches have been established through his aid, energy and efforts more probably than by any other one man. And his last great effort has been to obtain the building of a railroad, which is accomplished, and is now constructed, connecting the village of Raysville with Cincinnati and Dayton. And, in conclusion, we may hope that Mr. Duke's labors and efforts for the public interests may be duly appreciated, and that in both time and eternity he may be duly rewarded.

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