January 12, 1940
Progress
James Newton Duke

James Newton Duke, son of the late J.B. and Julia Ann Duke, was born in Henderson County on the 8th of February, 1862, and departed this life on January 7th, 1940, making his life on earth 77 years, 10 months and 27 days.

He was first married in 1881 to Miss Paralee King, and to this union was born four children, namely: Mrs. Daisy Moore, Miss Pearl Wood, Mrs. Mary Murren, and one dying in infancy. His wife died in 1889. His second marriage was to Miss Lizzie Altom in 1891, and to this union were born James Carless, Luther A., Auda M., Mrs. Azilee Wilkins, Mrs. Donie Lewis and Mrs. Odell Brewer, all of Darden; one son, Alton, died in 1915.

He professed faith in Christ in early boyhood and united with Mt. Ararat Missionary Baptist Church and lived a devoted Christian life until death. He is survived by his wife, nine children, 38 great-grandchildren, 19 (10?) three brothers, N.M. Duke, J.T. Duke and Will Duke, and one-half brother, Add Duke, and two sisters, Mrs. Frances Newhan and Mrs. Lizzie Wood.

Mr. Duke was one of Henderson County’s best citizens and will be sadly missed by friends, neighbors and loved ones. He was a Democrat but with such character and personality that when he ran for Magistrate, which office he held from 1924 to 1930, he received all the Republican votes in his precinct.

Funeral services were held Monday morning in the home and burial was in the old Duke Cemetery near Darden, with Pafford in charge.