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Descendants of Robert Dukes - June 24, 2003

33. GEORGE⁵ DUKES (ELBERT SEVERE⁴, JAMES BASIL³, ROBERT S.², ..¹) was born 11 Mar 1867 in Tennessee, and died 17 Dec 1946 in Prob. Hartford, Lyon, Co, KS (see Notes). He married ANNA BELLE GUNTER 06 Dec 1898 in Hartford, Lyon Co, KS, daughter of SAMUEL GUNTER and MARTHA YOUNG. She was born 25 Nov 1876 in Atlantus, MO, and died 28 Jul 1960 in Emporia, Lyon Co, KS.

Notes for GEORGE DUKES:
George Dukes' obituary states that he was buried at Hartford Cemetery, but there is no headstone present. The sexton records indicate no burial, and there is no funeral home listed

Marriage Notes for GEORGE DUKES and ANNA GUNTER:
Married by Rev. Thomas Lidzey.

Children of GEORGE DUKES and ANNA GUNTER are:

	i.		JAMES LEO⁶ DUKES, b. Oct 1899, Hartford, Lyon Co, KS; d. 28 Dec 1901, (Prob Hartford KS) 2y 1m 16d.
68.	ii.		CLEO G. DUKES, b. 06 Sep 1905, Hartford, Lyon Co, KS; d. 27 Apr 1940, Hartford, Lyon Co KS.

34. DAVID ALLISON⁵ DUKES (JOHN ALEXANDER⁴, JAMES BASIL³, ROBERT S.², ..¹) was born 1855, and died Abt. 1938 in (Irene Spunde's estimate). He married MARY EMMA DUKES Unknown, daughter of ROBERT DUKES and RUTH MARSHALL. She was born Abt. 1863, and died Abt. 1948 in (Irene Spunde's estimate).

Notes for DAVID ALLISON DUKES:
David Allison Dukes is the great grandfather of Irene Spunde. She says that Alexander Dukes, father of David Allison Dukes, and Robert, brother of Alexander Dukes, are both her great great grandfathers because her great grandparents were first cousins. David went to live with this family after his father was incarcerated.

David and his brother Ed owned a wagon shop until Ed moved to Carnegie, Oklahoma. Thereafter, David was a supervisor at a wagon shop in Morristown. He wore suits to work with a derby hat and smoked cigars. He did have a sister (Irene's mother believes her name was Ida), and "possibly others."

Notes for MARY EMMA DUKES:
Mary Emma "Emmie" Dukes is the only child that Irene Spunde had record of for this couple. Others come from the 1850 census.

Irene's mother said that Mary Emma played piano and taught music when she was younger, went to dances and rode horseback, wore fancy hats and suits and was opinionated. She remembers her as being fair haired and fair skinned, possibly with blue eyes. At some point relatives visited from Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Virginia. Mary Emma attended the Methodist church and once remarked to Edith that their anscestors came from England. She had definite ideas and didn't tolerate lazy people.

She is supposed to have been married twice -- once to Mr. Bailey who fathered the first set of twins, and then to David Dukes. However, all the children resemble each other, and Irene thinks this may not be true.

Children are listed above under (28) Mary Emma Dukes.

35. IDA F.⁵ DUKES (JOHN ALEXANDER⁴, JAMES BASIL³, ROBERT S.², ..¹) was born 30 Aug 1860 in Rheatown, Greene Co, TN, and died 04 Sep 1900 in Rheatown, Greene Co, TN. She married G. A. CARDWELL Unknown in (other children possible). He was born Unknown, and died Unknown.

Notes for IDA F. DUKES:
This name also appears on a family group sheet sent by Carol Hicks, who received it from another researcher. The information also included her birth year (1861) and marriage information.

The complete names and dates were found in cemetery records of Rheatown Cemetery in Greene County, Tennessee.

Child of IDA DUKES and G. CARDWELL is:

JEROME⁶ CARDWELL, b. 1891, Rheatown, Greene Co, TN; d. 1891, Rheatown, Greene Co, TN.

36. EDWARD ALEXANDER⁵ DUKES (JOHN ALEXANDER⁴, JAMES BASIL³, ROBERT S.², ..¹) was born 28 Nov 1863 in Rheatown, Greene Co, TN, and died Unknown in Moved to Carnegie, Caddo Co, OK 1903. He married NORA ALICE COLLINS 10 Jun 1891 in Rheatown, Greene Co, TN (7 boys; 4 girls). She was born 20 Jul 1867 in Limestone, TN, and died 27 Aug 1959 in Carnegie, Caddo Co, OK.

Notes for EDWARD ALEXANDER DUKES:
Carol Hicks (sunibear@email.msn.com) writes in July 2000 and says that her great grandfather was Edward Alexander Dukes b. 1863, who was son of Alexander Dukes b. 1831, who was son of James B. Dukes b. 1802. Edward moved his family to Oklahoma in 1903. Carol lives in Midland, Texas.

She gives the middle name "Alexander," the date of birth and marriage as well as the wife's name. She also provides most of the descendant information.

Carol writes in September 2000 and learned from Valera Dukes Cook, Edward A. Dukes' daughter, that she was told that her father moved from Tennessee to Oklahoma so his "6 boys would not grow up on the streets." The death of their daughter, Winnie Florence, may also have influenced the decision to move. Valera had a picture of the wagon shop that the Dukes owned at the time. It was located on a busy, muddy dirt road in a row of other businesses. Carol thought the photo may have been taken in Rheatown, Tennessee.

Children of EDWARD DUKES and NORA COLLINS are:

AUDREY DEAN⁶ DUKES, b. 23 Mar 1892, "Dean" b. Carnegie, Caddo Co, OK; d. Unknown; m. FLORENCE MCCONNEL, Unknown; b. 25 Dec 1897; d. Aug 1986, Carnegie, Caddo Co, OK.

Notes for AUDREY DEAN DUKES:
Dean Dukes kept hives of honey bees. He moved to Carnegie with his parents in 1903.There he owned Dukes Service Station. He was also called "Runt."

Notes for FLORENCE MCCONNEL:
SSN 448-12-9303

69.	ii.	CHARLES ALLISON DUKES, b. Abt. 1893, Greene Co, TN; d. Unknown, (gunshot, suicide).
	iii.	JOHN ALEXANDER DUKES, b. Abt. 1895, Greene Co, TN; d. Aft. 1903, Carnegie, Caddo Co, OK.
70.	iv.	CECIL DUKES, b. 03 Mar 1897, Chucky, Greene Co, TN; d. 23 Nov 1967, Carnegie, Caddo Co, OK.
71.	v.	WALTER LAFEETE DUKES, b. Abt. 1899, Greene Co, TN; d. Aft. 1903, Carnegie, Caddo Co, OK.
	vi.	WINNIE FLORENCE DUKES, b. Abt. 1901, Greene Co, TN; d. Bef. 1903, age 11 m; d. Greene Co, TN.
	vii.	FOREST BERLYN DUKES, b. 08 Sep 1903, Greene Co, TN; d. 1943, (auto accident); m. INEZ OLDHAM, Private; b. Private.
	viii.	EVA COLLINS DUKES, b. 12 Dec 1905, Carnegie, Caddo Co, OK; d. Unknown, Carnegie, Caddo Co, OK; m. CLARENCE TOOMAN, Unknown; b. Unknown; d. Unknown.
	ix.	MILDRED DUKES, b. Private.
72.	x.	VALERA LILLIAN DUKES, b. 1909, Carnegie, Caddo Co, OK; d. Unknown, Attended Dukes reunion in Mt. View OK, Sep 2000.
	xi.	ANNA LAHOMA DUKES, b. Private.

37. MARGARET ELIZA⁵ DILLARD (ELIZABETH⁴ DUKES, ROBERT SHERARD³, ROBERT S.², ..¹) was born 30 Jul 1854 in Calloway Co, MO, and died 08 Sep 1928. She married WILLIAM CHARLTON BARKLEY 21 Mar 1876. He was born Bet. 1850 - 1855 in Washington Co, TN, and died 02 May 1916.

Notes for WILLIAM CHARLTON BARKLEY:
Information on this family comes from Virginia Conrad 1983; Benetta B. Lee letters, Roberta Dukes Richardson notes to 1935. No official documentation has been gathered as yet.

Marriage Notes for MARGARET DILLARD and WILLIAM BARKLEY:
In a 1924 letter to Henrietta Knight, Margaret says she married W. C. Barkley in 1884.

Children of MARGARET DILLARD and WILLIAM BARKLEY are:

73.	i.		ROY CHARTON⁶ BARKLEY, b. 02 Aug 1880; d. Unknown.
74.	ii.		BENNETTA MAUDE BARKLEY, b. 02 May 1886, Mexico, Audrain Co, MO; d. 1950, St Louis, MO.

38. SHERARD LEONIDAS⁵ DUKES (WILLIAM HALL⁴, ROBERT SHERARD³, ROBERT S.², ..¹) was born 11 Jun 1866 in Pleasant Hill, Contra Costa Co, CA, and died 08 Feb 1949 in Martinez, Contra Costa Co, CA. He married IDA ALENE SYMONDS 27 Feb 1894 in Martinez, Contra Costa Co, CA, daughter of CHARLES SYMONDS and ELIZABETH PRACY. She was born 26 Jan 1872 in Petaluma, Sonoma Co, CA, and died 03 Jan 1955 in Martinez, Contra Costa Co, CA.

Notes for SHERARD LEONIDAS DUKES:
Sherard Leonidas Dukes lived at Pleasant Hill, P.O. Martinez RFD 1 and was a fruit farmer. He owned 40 acres of Pleasant Hill land, given by his father. He was educated at Pleasant Hill School 8th Grade Working class. He enjoyed metal work and had a small forge. He liked reading science books related to everyday practical science. Often untiidy in appearance, he was an excellent gardner, was very talkative, an amateur photographer. He attended the Methodist Church.

Information on this family was obtained from
      Katherine Honegger of Oakley, California
      Lynn I. Baker of Martinez, California
      Dukes/Kinzer Bible records

Ed Kutz notes:

My Grandfather, Sherard Dukes, died when I was just six years old. The only recollection I have of him is his cot in the day room (they called it a living room) where he would take his daily nap.

Accounts vary as to date of birth -- Ida Symonds Dukes has 17 Jun 1866, and another account 3 Jun 1866. Lucy Kinzer Dukes records show 11 Jun 1866, as does at least one obituary.

1916 - Contra Costa County, California. Board of Supervisors Minute Book, p. 361. "In May 1916, the election board members at the precinct in Pacheco were (including) Sherard L. Dukes." (History of Pleasant Hill, p. 140)

21 Feb 1927 - Contra Costa County, California. Deed Book V. 338, p. 9
      On 21 Feb 1927, Sherard L. Dukes and his wife Ida A. Dukes appeared before the County Supervisors on the land decreed to Sherard Dukes in the estate of Mary Ann Boss, concerning the county road in the partition of the Boss Ranch. (History of Pleasant Hill, p. 198)

10 Feb 1949 - Contra Costa Gazette, Martinez, California

Last rites for Sherard L. Dukes, 82, pioneer resident of Grayson Road in the Pleasant Hill District, were held from the Brunscher & Connolly Chapel in Martinez today at 2 o'clock.

He was the son of the late William Hall Dukes and Lucy Dukes who crossed the country in the early 50s and settled on a Spanish grant in this district where he was born on June 11, 1866.

S. L. Dukes, "Uncle Sherard," as he was known to his many friends and neighbors, has been interested and active in community affairs and has been a farmer all his life. Many grafted walnut trees throughout the county are a living tribute to his ability along those lines.

A lover of flowers, one of his hobbies was to bud various varieties of roses onto one bush. Another of his hobbies was squirrel hunting in the hills in back of his home. His two cats would apparently sense when he was ready to go hunting and would follow and retrieve as well as a dog.

He served on the board of trustees of the Pleasant Hill grammar school for 25 years and the betterment of school conditions for the children and community was always his goal.

Active until the time of his death, he passed away suddenly at his home in this district early Tuesday morning. He is survived by his wife, Ida Dukes; one son, William S. Dukes of Los Angeles; Mrs. Ida Kutz of Grayson Road; Mrs. Ella Woods, and Mrs. Hazel Mellerup of Martinez; two sisters, Mrs. May Hall who is still residing at the home place on Reliez Valley Road, and Mrs. Della Court of Martinez, and seven grandchildren. He was also the brother of the late Mrs. Lenora Holliday and Mrs. Jesse Griffin of this district.

Rev. Thomas Scott officiated at the service and cremation followed in the Oakland Crematorium.
==
Sherard Dukes died of heart failure.

Notes for IDA ALENE SYMONDS:
Ida is described as a reserved and very orderly person who loved to read. She was a good seamstress and enjoyed growing plants and flowers, keeping family records, photo albums, and scrap books. She was not in good health and seem to suffer from depression. She "did up" holiday dinners nicely, planning well, and being attentive to details.

"I was born in Petaluma, Sonoma County, California in the early morning of January 26th, 1872. 1 was one of two twin girls. The other twin died with in a few hours of birth being a blue baby. My mother was often ill of rheumatic fever. A sister Isabelle who died a year and a half before my birth was born about 1866 and a brother George was born about 1869 and died about 1875 or 1875. "My father Charles Wesley Symonds came to California in 1857 when he was 18 years old. Went to the mines but was not successful. Went to Petaluma about 1860 and established a crockery (tableware) and grocery business. He was born in Fredrickson, New Brunswick, Canada in January 28, 1839. He married my mother in April 1865 in San Francisco. She was Elizabeth Pracy daughter of George and Frances Pracy also pioneers and pure English stock. My father's father came to California about 1850. I do not know when my father's mother, sister Jeanette and little brother Frank came but I know they went to Panama, left the boat and crossed the Isthmus on mule back and then reshipped to San Francisco on a very leaky boat and had to stay in their berths on account of the water aboard. They also came from either New Brunswick or Maine U.S. where the family lived at times.

"The father, John Symonds, was a blacksmith for sailing ships, making chains etc. In California he was was preacher in Petaluma. Also sold bibles and religious papers. He died in 1869 and is buried in Petaluma. His wife Maria Lucy Symonds, who was a Leonard, was born June 12th, 1813 -- died May 1901 and is buried in Martinez as is also my father Charles Wesley Symonds, and the sister Jeanette C. Downer.

"My mother's parents George W. and Frances were born and married in England and then came to Canada where my mother was born in Montreal on April 13th, 1844. From there they came by degrees, it is thought, to New York State and at the time George left his wife Frances Pracy they were living on the Post Road to New York City. He was a blacksmith and wished to go to San Francisco or California to seek gold. He left his wife and three little girls -- my mother Elizabeth, Mary and Emily who I understand was born after he left. He left her, as he though, well provided for but as time went by her funds gave out and she started a bakery shop and provided for her family. (I forgot to mention that the father George Pracy sailed to California on a sailing ship by way of Cape Horn.) At last the George Pracy's got in touch with one another and he sent his wife money to come to California.

"Grandpa Pracy did not stay long in the mines but returned to San Francisco and established a machine shop or at that time I believe a blacksmith shop. In later years when he retired he followed a hobby of raising horses and took Grandma about every pleasant day for a drive to the 'Golden Gate Park', and out to the 'Cliff House.' Going to the 'Park' was mostly 'country' as Chinese and Italians raised vegetables in that vicinity. A Chinese came by train to Petaluma about twice a week with his two baskets, one tied to each end of a bamboo pole and loaded with vegetables and berries and sometimes other fruits. "There were lots of Chinese in California and I can remember standing in the doorway of their wash houses, which were also their homes, and watching them spray water from their mouths over the washed clothes to dampen them. Altho not sanitary they were excellent washermen and did a medium wash for (.50) fifty cents, ironing the men�s white shirts which in those days had large stiff (starched) bosums and starched collars and cuffs. They could put a very glossy shine on these starches articles. They had round stoves with the stove pipe in the middle and would put the irons bottoms " (This apparently continues but subsequent pages are missing.) [Original/IAD]

"Ida A. Dukes parents and Grandparents were pioneers of California. Her paternal grandfather John Symonds came about 1850. He made two trips to Calif. Her father 1856. C. W. Symonds. The maternal grandpa, Geo. Pracy, 1849 and the wife about 185 1. With her was her daughter Elizabeth Pracy. Later Ida A. Symonds' mother. The paternal Grandma came about 1856. Mrs. John Symonds, later known as Mrs. M. L. Symonds. All are buried here in California. Ida A. (Symonds) Dukes. Came to Martinez 189 1. Married Feb. 27, 1894. Born Petaluma, Calif. 1872." [Original/IAD]

"I was born in Petaluma, Calif., Jan. 26th, 1872. In earlier years, after leaving Petaluma in 1887 I lived in Berkeley, Seattle Wash., (for one & one half years) and San Francisco. Came to Martinez in June 1891. Lived there with my aunt Mrs. H. A. (Aunt Jeanette) Downer & family and my Grandmother Mrs. M. L. Symonds. Married Sherard L. Dukes on Feb. 27th, 1894. My mother died in 1881 and my father remarried in 1882. 1 lived with them until Dec. 1886 then with relatives for six months (the Downers) in Berkeley then again with my father for about one and a half years in Seattle then with relatives around the Bay Cities until my marriage on Feb. 27th 1894. Ida A. Dukes came to Martinez in June 1891 and lived again with the Downer's.

"On the Symonds or my fathers side of the family the people were all English with one exception. When they emigrated from England in 1620 they stopped at Holland and a lady of Holland birth was married by a man named Symonds of English birth and they immigrated to the New World. On my mothers side the folks were all English as far as her generation. Her father�s father was a land owner and wrote esquire after his name but her mother was of lower birth, and so the father, Geo. Pracy, came with his wife to Canada where my mother was born." [Original/IAD]

4 Jan 1955 - Contra Costa Gazette, Martinez, California

Service will be conducted here Thursday at 2 p.m. for Mrs. Ida Alene Dukes, 82, resident of the Pleasant Hill-Martinez area for 65 years.

Mrs. Dukes, who was born in Petaluma, died yesterday at a local hospital following a three week illness. She had been living here recently with daughter, Mrs. Hazel Mellerup. She and her husband, the late Sherard Dukes, Pleasant Hill rancher, celebrated their golden anniversary in 1944.

Last rites will be conducted at Brubscher & Connolly Chapel with the Rev. John D. Spear officiating. Cremation will be at Oakland Crematory.

Mrs. Dukes leaves two other daughters, Mrs. Ella Wood and Mrs. Ida Kutz, Martinez; also William S. Dukes, Los Angeles; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. [Original/WEK]

Ed Kutz explains his sources:

[IAD] [ISD] - Various letters and notes by Ida A. Dukes, ca 1950.
[LB] - Lynn Baker notes.

Ida A. Symonds attended California College at East Oakland to June 1888. She died of cerebral hemorrhage.


Children of SHERARD DUKES and IDA SYMONDS are:

75.	i.	HAZEL IRENE⁶ DUKES, b. 14 Nov 1894, Pleasant Hill, Contra Costa Co, CA, at home; d. 30 Oct 1984, Martinez, Contra Costa Co, CA.
76.	ii.	SHERARD WILLIAM DUKES, b. 21 Nov 1899, Pleasant Hill, Contra Costa Co, CA; d. 09 Mar 1974, Grover City, San Luis Obispo Co., CA.
77.	iii.	ELLA ELIZABETH DUKES, b. 04 Jan 1907, (or 3rd?) b. Martinez, Contra Costa Co, CA; d. 09 Jun 1987, Martinez, Contra Costa Co, CA.
78.	iv.	IDA LEONORA DUKES, b. 21 Oct 1908, Pleasant Hill, Contra Costa Co, CA; d. Unknown, Res Martinez, Contra Costa Co, CA 1998.

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