was not much in this region to suggest that it would soon be a greater center of trade and industry than either of its two neighboring towns. Yet such seems to be its destiny. The long drill in habits of thrift, industry and integrity gave to the people of this community a personal strength which, when once the chance came to them, could not but show itself. Taylor Duke was well respected among his neighbors. He was captain of a militia company and deputy sheriff, both positions requiring a level head and a reputation for strength of character. He was as prosperous as most of his neighbors, but he had a family of ten children; and when his son Washington came to face the world it was empty-handed. He set bravely to work. For four years he rented the land of other people, and then he had saved enough to buy a farm of his own. To this small beginning he added as the years went by, till at the outbreak of the war he owned 300 acres. When we remember that the average size of farms in this region up to the present time is about ninety acres, we shall see that he had done well. Although at present a very wealthy man, Mr. Duke looks back to these early days of battling with life with great interest. They were, in fact, the formative period of his life. When he built up a great fortune in the field of manufacturing, he but did over again. what he had done before in the field of agriculture, with this exception, that in the former field the opportunity was vastly greater. His first success was won, as every man's business success is won, by industry, economy and character. He believed in work. He was careful not to go into debt. He was sober, and he did not gamble. He did not put off a duty for a pleasure. More than all else, he was an earnest Christian. He was a constant attendant on his church, having been converted early in life. in a revival service, and having become a member of the Methodist Church. He took delight in the religious services, and from that day to this, unless prevented by sickness, he has rarely missed one. Mr. Duke was born December 20, 1820. He was, therefore, forty years old when the war began. He had up to this time been a Democrat, and in his loyalty he had named his youngest son |