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A
Biography Sketch
of
(**Transcribed by
Mary Rhodes, 2005)
The name Duke carries in itself
the evidence of noble origin, as it takes us back to the invasion and
conquest of England by William, Duke of Normandy, and shows it to be of
knightly Norman French origin. The handing down in the family for so many
generations of the given name William may tell of close connection with
William the Conqueror. This first Norman king of England divided the lands
of England among his dukes and knights and they became the aristocracy of
that country. We have not access to the English records by which to trace
William Duke of Allegany back to the Conquest, but search among them
cannot fail to show the family line. This family perhaps descends through
a younger branch for some generations. Landed proprietors we know them to
have been as late as 1836, for there is preserved in the family a bill
rendered February 23d of that year by John Dunnicliff, Esq., for numerous
legal services concerning landed property in Derbyshire, belonging to
William Duke the American emigrant, some parcels of which were advertised
for sale in the Derby Mercury and Reporter. William Duke,
the emigrant, was born in Derbyshire, Eng., in August, 1796, and died in
Scio, N. Y., Dec. 7, 1847. His brothers and sisters were John, Mary (Mrs.
Joseph Parker) and Ann (Mrs. Charles Brentnal), all of Derby. He married
Elizabeth Cockayne, born March 1, 1808, died Oct. 17, 1888. Their
children, all born in America, were William, born April 26, 1830; John,
April 14, 1832; Thomas (dec.). March 4, 1834; Joseph (dec.), April 23,
1836; Ann P. (Mrs. Alonzo Crowner), Jan. 31, 1838; Charles, born Jan. 11.
1840; Mary K (Mrs. A. J. Applebee). Feb. 28, 1842; Violet (Mrs. Henry
Fitzsimmons), Sept 23,1844; Emmer D. (Mrs. Lucius Norton) June 8, 1847.
Mr. Duke conducted in England the making of
handmade lace, a business presumably handed down from his father, but the
introduction of lacemaking machines caused the ruin of the hand industry
about 1820. Mr. Duke not long after came to America, again returned to
England, and between 1825 and 1830 made his home in Binghamton. The report
of the fine lumbering facilities of Southern Allegany brought him to Scio
in 1838. where the pine timber was plenty and luxuriant. He located on
Knight’s Creek where he owned and operated a sawmill. At his death his
oldest son, William, became the head, not only of this American family but
also the head of the line, and today he is the oldest male member of both
the English and American families. He inherited the helpful English
characteristics of persistent industry, untiring energy and frank honesty
and at once assumed the care of the family and the management of the
business. As his brothers grew older they displayed the same traits of
character and all worked in harmony to advance their mutual interests,
always however considering their elder brother as their counselor and
guide. During all the many and large business operations which they
successfully transacted together in a long period of years there was never
a jarring word or unpleasant thought connected with their intercourse.
William’s strict integrity, business capacity, and straightforward way of
doing things inspired confidence in the minds of business men of means and
they were ready to aid both him and his brothers. That confidence was
never betrayed, and it has been truly said that “A Duke remembers the
other man’s side of the contract as well as his own.” For more than half
a century William Duke has been connected with the lumber manufacture of
southern Allegany and for many years the Dukes were the leading operators.
During this period William Duke has been constantly identified with the
material interests of the county and a leading factor in the development
of not only this section but of portions of Pennsylvania. Under his
observation many towns have been wholly built up and. his name is
intimately connected with many of them. When he first knew this section
much of it was a dense forest of pine, oak and hemlock. That its almost
impenetrable shades have given way to sunlight has been in no small
measure due to the unflagging industry and the indomitable perseverance of
William Duke, his brothers and their associates. Commencing in 1848 with
the small watermill on Knight’s Creek, their business rapidly expanded
until their operations required many mills and employed many workmen. It
is well to note in passing that Mr. Duke shipped the first carload of
lumber sent to New York on the Erie railroad from Allegany county. Mr.
Duke married. Jan. 1, 1855, Samantha K, daughter of George and Maria
(Smith) Blackman.* They lived in Scio until 1882, when they made a
permanent residence in Wellsville. Mr. Duke possesses positive character,
independent thought and close reasoning powers, does not follow the lead
of any one, but is original and must satisfy himself that his course is
right. He is strong and loyal in his friendships and occupies a high place
in public esteem. Thoroughly honest himself, he opposes everything like
hypocrisy, prevarication and deceit. He has been a diligent and persistent
worker in his chosen sphere. and has met with a good reward, financially
and otherwise. Mr. and Mrs. William Duke have six children. 1st, Emmer K
(Mrs. H. M Browning) of Wellsville. Her children are William W., Bessie
S., Horace, Amy and Fanny. 2d, William, of Wellsville, an extensive
operator in the Ohio oil field. He married Carrie S. Black, and has
children William, Ella M., C. Martin and Victoria. 3d, Ella M. (Mrs. H. A.
Higbie) of Wellsville. Her children are Onnolee, Anita and Greta. 4th.
Grant, an extensive oil operator, the energetic and popular centennial
president of Wellsville village, married Anna B. Taylor. His children are
Helen, Joseph and James. 5th, Oak, also of Wellsville, an operator in oil,
lumber, etc., married Florence Elwell. 6th, Rebea S. (Mrs. W. T. Gridley)
resides in Syracuse.
* Mrs. Duke descends
from the Connecticut family of Blackman whose first American ancestor was
Rev. Adam Blakeman, born in Staffordshire, England, in 1599, and
matriculated at Christ’s College, Oxford, May 28, 1617. He was a preacher
for some years in Leicestershire and Derbyshire, and in 1638 came to New
England, in 1639-40 was one of the original settlers of Stratford. Conn.,
and the first and beloved minister of the church until his death, Sept. 7,
1665. The name was early changed to Blackman.
**(Allegany County & It's People: A
Centennial Memorial History of Allegany County, New York. --Histories of
the Towns of the County; Mrs. Georgia Drew Merrill, Editor; Published by
W.A.Fergusson & Co., Alfred,NY - 1896) |