History of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, 1887
Benjamin Duke Biography
Benjamin F. Duke, blacksmith, Chambersburg, was born in Greene Township, Franklin County, Penn., August 12, 1835, eldest son of Jacob and Mary (Kunkel) Duke. Jacob Duke, who was born in Cumberland County, Penn., in 1801, came to Franklin County about 1830; he was a miller by trade and carried on a mill in Culbertson' s Row for many years; he removed to Chambersburg in 1852 and here died in 1879.
He reared to maturity a family of seven children, of whom four are living, one daughter and three sons. Benjamin F. Duke was educated in the public schools of Greenvillage. He was reared on a farm, working for others till seventeen years old. In the fall of 1852 he commenced an apprenticeship of three years with Abraham Metz, at the trade of a blacksmith, and with him subsequently worked as journeyman till April, 1864, when he commenced business on his own account on the corner of Water and Washington Streets, just opposite his present location. He met with a loss in July of the same year in the burning of his shop and tools, but he immediately resumed business, and in 1880 removed to his present location on the southwest corner of Water and Washington Streets, where he has continued a successful and prosperous blacksmith.
Mr. Duke was married in 1857, to Margaret, daughter of Adam Bolles, a former resident of Chambersburg, this county. To him and his wife have been born thirteen children, of whom ten survive, three daughters and seven sons. Mrs. Duke is a member of Zion's Reformed Church. Mr. Duke has been a member of the I.O.O.F. since 1866.
Source: Biographical Annals of Franklin County, Pennsylvania : containing genealogical records of representative families, including many of the early settlers, and biographical sketches of prominent citizens; Chicago. Genealogical Pub. Co. 1905. Notes: Prepared in part by George O. Seilhamer.
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