Short History of James Duke : a Heber Fort Resident

By Jerry Duke, a great grandnephew.

James Duke was born December 21, 1829 in Albany, New York. His parents had been in America for a short time, having arrived in August of that year aboard the ship Eliza Grant from Liverpool, England to New York, New York. His father Jonathan and his mother were newlyweds barely in their twenties and embarking on a new life in a new land. Jonathan had been employed in England as a mason, a trade he learned as an apprentice, and was also a minister of the gospel, a Primitive Methodist preacher. He was a spiritual person who enjoyed expounding the word of God, but he felt something was missing within his church and was seeking something else as directed by the spirit. Throughout his life he was a powerful speaker who relied upon the impressions of the Holy Ghost to direct his words. He was often called upon to speak the Word of God.

For ten years the Duke family lived and worked in Albany, New York. Three more children were added to the family during these years. Sarah Jane in 1842, John in 1834 and Robert Stone in 1837. Jonathan’s mate, Mary Stone visited her father and step-mother in Brooklyn, New York in 1839 and was while there taught the restored gospel and baptized by her father, Robert Stone, an elder in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a recent convert himself. Jonathan saw these events as they happened in a dream and was thus prepared to receive the gospel when Mary returned to Albany, closely followed by her father. Jonathan was immediately made the presiding Elder there following his baptism, but he and the family desired to join with the main body of the Church in Illinois. They left New York by way of the Erie Canal to Buffalo, New York and then by ship through the Great Lakes to Chicago, Ill. Jonathan got work for several months to cover the cost for the overland journey to Nauvoo, Ill.

The family was thankful to be among the good members of the Church. Jonathan’s two sisters, Ann and Jane had joined them while they were still in New York and accompanied them to their destination. The family members were personally acquainted with the prophet Joseph Smith. James treasured his interactions with Joseph. Jonathan had plenty of work both working in brick and stone. He labored many hours on the temple. In 1842 a daughter, Mary Ann was born, but died shortly thereafter. James’ youngest brother, Jonathan Moroni was born in 1844. Jonathan was serving a mission in Delaware, proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and the candidacy of Joseph Smith for the presidency of the United States when he was informed of the death of Joseph and his brother Hyrum at the hands of a despicable mob. He immediately returned to Nauvoo to be with his family and to determine their course. This was a time of profound sadness for James’ family and a period for decisions that would dictate the direction their lives would take. They chose to stay with Brigham Young and the Twelve who remained committed to him as leader of the Church. Manifestations through the spirit were made to members of the family that this was the chosen path they should follow. James’ parents received their temple blessing and were endowed on January 22, 1946 in the Nauvoo Temple.

Jonathan volunteered to accompany the vanguard expedition of saints across Iowa as protectors from enemies of the Twelve that might desire to cause them harm. He returned to Nauvoo and prepared to leave for the west the next year. Bad health and employment concerns delayed the Duke family from this journey until 1850. During this time Jonathan was very sick and could not regularly work. When well, he had James accompany him on his work contracts to assist him. James, while just fifteen years old, was becoming a competent mason and a great help to his father. He and his mother, Mary pleaded with the forces dedicated to removing Mormons from the area not to throw the family from their home given their very poor health, but to no avail. They were forced to leave with a father so sick he could not rise from his sickbed. Jonathan related this account in his journal: “Some of these inhuman wretches came to my house one evening, while I was having a severe shake of the ague and swore that if we did not leave the city that night, they would turn us out of doors. My wife and eldest son remonstrated with them upon the inconsistency of such a course and that my life would be in danger if I were turned out of the doors. They replied “Damn him it is good enough for a Mormon ”. But the Lord inspired the heart of Sister Jones, wife of William Jones, who with her son Wm. brought a team to the Mississippi river and moved us to Boneparte where we stayed a few days and then moved to Bentonsport where we went into a house with Warren Snow where we remained a few more days. In consequence of the owner of the house, Mr. Reed, who was a great enemy of the church refusing to let us stay in the house, we pitched our tent on the banks of the river at the end of an old potter’s kiln where we lived thru the winter of 1847 and the following spring and summer. When I had just began to get my health a little so that I had commenced to work. Bro.Hyrum D. Buys, from Mt. Pisga, came down with his team to take my family to Pisga. They started Aug. 28th 1847. I concluded to tarry and work if possible, to get a team and means to move west. I got an abundance of work in Bentonsport and this fall bought a good little wagon for $40.00. This winter my health was poor in consequence of taking a severe cold which settled on my lungs producing great difficulty in breathing.” These health problems may have precipitated his early death in 1868. The family made the journey west to Salt Lake in 1850.

The trek started on May 10, and they reached the Salt Lake Valley on September 22. Jonathan made a regular entry in his journal the whole summer. It’s a valued record to the family and to others as well. On August 23, Jonathan records on his pages: “23rd–Some of the brethren went to hunt Buffalo. James was among them but when he returned to camp this evening he was very sick of the mountain fever. He was sick nigh unto death.” On Aug 31 he writes: James continued very sick so we traveled in the rear of the company.” He records no more about James until September 22, when they arrived in the Valley: “22nd–We got into the valley early in the afternoon and camped on the bench. If it had not been so misty we should have had a good view of the valley. I now feel to give thanks and praise to the God of Israel for his goodness to me and my family in bringing us to this place to be associated with the best men on the earth. Also that my son James is recovering his health and that according to my faith my cattle have been preserved.” James had apparently been sick that whole month.

The family lived in Salt Lake one year and then moved on to Provo where his parents would make their home for the remainder of their lives. Jonathan was elected to the city council and was called to serve as first Bishop of the Provo 1st Ward which position he held for thirteen years until poor health required his release.

In his writings Jonathan records: “I should have mentioned that on the 10th of October 1851 I married my son James and Almira Moore.” James had been working with his father building many of the early buildings in Provo. At the time of his marriage James was 21 and Almira was just short of 16. They lived in Provo for a short time and were soon called to move south to Parowan where James was to help with the construction of a fort in connection with the White Mountain Expedition Company. They were then sent to Beaver, Utah to help with the construction of another fort.

No history of James mentions a second marriage that took place while they lived in Parowan, but the 1860 U. S. Census records show a 4 year old daughter, Cynthia Ann, and a son William Lucian who was 1 year old. The head of the household was Margaret Duke. At this time Margaret Carter’s parents were living in Parowan. Margaret is shown in the 1870 census living in California and married to William Crane. She has two additional children, one born in 1861 and another in 1864. This bears further investigation.

John and Almira returned to Provo and then moved to Heber City, Utah in 1860. They aren’t listed in the 1860 census and must have somehow been missed during this time while they were moving. He came to Heber with his brothers John and Robert Stone and located within the Heber Fort. He lived the rest of his life in Heber and Wallsburg.

The following is taken from the Heber Biographies section of the book “How Beautiful Upon the Mountains: “In 1860 he came to Heber. He was president of the dramatic association for some years, also a prominent actor in the early days, when people had to furnish their own entertainment. He was a drummer in the Territorial Militia during the Black Hawk War in 1866 and 1867. He sometimes acted as an Indian interpreter. He built the old Heber tithing office and President Hatch’s first home in Heber. He also had a farm.”He also had a brick yard with his brothers on his property north of Heber and was the fiddler at city dances.

The biography continues: “ He was a very friendly man and was one of the main promoters of amusements in the early days. He was a member of the High Priests’ Quorum, and a firm believer in the Gospel. Although he never received much of the world’s goods, he was rich in kind words and deeds, and the love and goodwill of all his associates.”

James married a second wife in 1868, Mary Murdoch. He built her a home in Heber and Almira located on his farm in Wallsburg. For the last five years of his life he was debilitated with paralysis and needed constant care which he received at his home in Wallsburg. He died on May 20, 1892 and is buried in the Heber City Cemetery.

Brief Life History of Almira wife of James Duke

When Almira Moore was born on 21 February 1836, in Kirtland, Geauga, Ohio, United States, her father, Ethan Allen Moore Sr, was 37 and her mother, Sarah Ann Webber, was 33. She married James Duke on 10 October 1851, in Provo, Utah, Utah, United States. They were the parents of at least 8 sons and 3 daughters. She lived in Wallsburg, Wasatch, Utah, United States in 1880 and Mountain Dell, Uintah, Utah, United States in 1900. She died on 23 April 1922, in Vernal, Uintah, Utah, United States, at the age of 86, and was buried in Maesar-Fairview Cemetery, Maeser, Uintah, Utah, United States.

James Duke’s children with Almira in birth order

Brief Life History of James Moore

When James Moore Duke was born on 12 May 1853, in Panguitch Election Precinct, Garfield, Utah, United States, his father, James Duke, was 23 and his mother, Almira Moore, was 17. He married Mary Lily Allred on 23 August 1875, in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States. They were the parents of at least 7 sons and 4 daughters. He lived in Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States in 1870 and Smithville, Pima, Arizona, United States in 1880. He died on 14 January 1911, in Thatcher, Graham, Arizona, United States, at the age of 57, and was buried in Thatcher Cemetery, Thatcher, Graham, Arizona, United States.

Brief Life History of Almira Jane

When Almira Jane Duke was born on 5 August 1855, in Parowan, Iron, Utah, United States, her father, James Duke, was 25 and her mother, Almira Moore, was 19. She married Moses Moroni Mecham on 26 December 1875, in Wallsburg, Wasatch, Utah, United States. They were the parents of at least 4 sons and 6 daughters. She lived in Utah, United States in 1870 and Wasatch, Utah, United States in 1880. In 1880, at the age of 25, her occupation is listed as keeps house in Wasatch, Utah, United States. She died on 4 May 1894, in Jensen, Uintah, Utah, United States, at the age of 38, and was buried in Vernal Memorial Park, Vernal, Uintah, Utah, United States.

Brief Life History of Ethan Allen

When Ethan Allen Duke was born on 23 September 1857, in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States, his father, James Duke, was 27 and his mother, Almira Moore, was 21. He married Martha Jane Parcell on 22 July 1880, in Endowment House, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States. They were the parents of at least 6 sons and 7 daughters. His occupation is listed as farmer and fruit grower. in Orem, Utah, Utah, United States. He died on 24 February 1932, in American Fork, Utah, Utah, United States, at the age of 74, and was buried in Pleasant Grove City Cemetery, Pleasant Grove, Utah, Utah, United States.

Brief Life History of Robert Stone

When Robert Stone Duke was born on 21 February 1860, in Provo, Utah, Utah, United States, his father, James Duke, was 30 and his mother, Almira Moore, was 24. He married Margaret Elizabeth Van Ausdal on 15 July 1885, in Provo, Utah, Utah, United States. They were the parents of at least 7 sons and 3 daughters. He lived in Wasatch, Utah, United States in 1880 and Goshen, Juab, Utah, United States in 1900. He died on 12 April 1930, in Arco, Blaine, Idaho, United States, at the age of 70, and was buried in Hillcrest Cemetery, Butte, Idaho, United States.

Brief Life History of John Calvin

When John Calvin Duke was born on 16 March 1862, in Wasatch, Utah, United States, his father, James Duke, was 32 and his mother, Almira Moore, was 26. He married Lurany Jane Ross on 16 July 1887, in Wallsburg, Wasatch, Utah, United States. They were the parents of at least 6 sons and 8 daughters. He lived in Mountain Dell, Uintah, Utah, United States in 1900 and Vernal, Uintah, Utah, United States in 1910. He died on 6 May 1921, in Glines, Uintah, Utah, United States, at the age of 59, and was buried in Maesar-Fairview Cemetery, Maeser, Uintah, Utah, United States.

Brief Life History of Joseph Moroni

When Joseph Moroni Duke was born on 16 September 1865, in Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States, his father, James Duke, was 35 and his mother, Almira Moore, was 29. He married Emily Jane Nisonger on 23 December 1887, in Santaquin, Utah, Utah, United States. They were the parents of at least 4 sons and 2 daughters. He lived in Wallsburg, Wasatch, Utah, United States in 1880. He died on 18 January 1899, in Eureka, Juab, Utah, United States, at the age of 33, and was buried in Santaquin, Utah, Utah, United States.

Brief Life History of Helaman

When Helaman Duke was born on 8 March 1868, in Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States, his father, James Duke, was 38 and his mother, Almira Moore, was 32. He lived in Utah, United States in 1870. He died on 4 March 1898, at the age of 29, and was buried in Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States.

Brief Life History of Mahonri Moriancumer

When Mahonri Moriancumer Duke was born on 30 April 1868, in Wallsburg, Wasatch, Utah, United States, his father, James Duke, was 38 and his mother, Almira Moore, was 32. He married Wilmurth Lamaudy Wall on 17 August 1894, in Uintah, Utah, United States. They were the parents of at least 7 sons and 3 daughters. He lived in Mountain Dell, Uintah, Utah, United States in 1900 and Election Precinct 4, Salt Lake, Utah, United States in 1920. He died on 25 March 1933, in Magna, Salt Lake, Utah, United States, at the age of 64, and was buried in Pleasant Green Cemetery, Magna, Salt Lake, Utah, United States.

Brief Life History of Bernice Gertrude

When Bernice Gertrude Duke was born on 19 January 1875, in Wallsburg, Wasatch, Utah, United States, her father, James Duke, was 45 and her mother, Almira Moore, was 38. She married George Albert Thomas on 1 May 1896, in Vernal, Uintah, Utah, United States. They were the parents of at least 7 sons and 3 daughters. She lived in Park City, Summit, Utah, United States in 1910. She died on 29 January 1917, in Glines, Uintah, Utah, United States, at the age of 42, and was buried in Maeser, Uintah, Utah, United States.

Brief Life History of Sarah Fygenia

When Sarah Fygenia Duke was born on 22 May 1877, in Wallsburg, Wasatch, Utah, United States, her father, James Duke, was 47 and her mother, Almira Moore, was 41. She married James Albert Provost on 10 April 1895, in Vernal, Uintah, Utah, United States. They were the parents of at least 5 sons and 2 daughters. She died on 27 June 1930, in Midway, Wasatch, Utah, United States, at the age of 53, and was buried in Midway, Wasatch, Utah, United States.

Brief Life History of Mary Murray wife of James Duke

When Mary Murray Murdoch was born on 20 May 1852, in Kansas City, Wyandotte, Kansas, United States, her father, John Murray Murdoch, was 31 and her mother, Ann Steele, was 22. She married James Duke on 3 October 1868, in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States. They were the parents of at least 5 sons and 3 daughters. She lived in Provo, Utah, Utah, United States in 1860. She died on 20 December 1917, in Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States, at the age of 65, and was buried in Heber City Cemetery, Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States.

James Duke’s children with Mary

Brief Life History of Jonathan Murdoch

When Jonathan Murdoch Duke was born on 9 September 1869, in Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States, his father, James Duke, was 39 and his mother, Mary Murray Murdoch, was 17. He married Christina Kennedy Lindsay on 24 July 1891, in Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States. They were the parents of at least 3 sons and 3 daughters. He lived in Heber Election Precinct, Wasatch, Utah, United States in 1940. He died on 5 October 1942, in Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States, at the age of 73, and was buried in Heber City Cemetery, Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States.

Brief Life History of Mary Ann

When Mary Ann Duke was born on 14 April 1871, in Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States, her father, James Duke, was 41 and her mother, Mary Murray Murdoch, was 18. She married Robert Mitchell Simpson on 23 February 1892, in Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States. They were the parents of at least 2 sons and 4 daughters. She lived in Hooper Election Precinct, Weber, Utah, United States in 1900. She died on 20 December 1914, in Logan, Cache, Utah, United States, at the age of 43, and was buried in Logan, Cache, Utah, United States.

Brief Life History of Jeanette

When Jeanette Duke was born on 26 March 1873, in Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States, her father, James Duke, was 43 and her mother, Mary Murray Murdoch, was 20. She married Arthur Emanuel Hansen on 5 September 1900, in Wasatch, Utah, United States. They were the parents of at least 1 son and 5 daughters. She lived in Utah, Utah, United States in 1920 and Salt Lake, Utah, United States in 1940. She died on 11 November 1940, in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States, at the age of 67.

Brief Life History of Lillie Isabell

When Lillie Isabell Duke was born on 31 March 1875, in Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States, her father, James Duke, was 45 and her mother, Mary Murray Murdoch, was 22. She married Archibald Shanks on 24 July 1892, in Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States. They were the parents of at least 5 sons and 4 daughters. She lived in Park City, Summit, Utah, United States in 1900 and Salt Lake, Utah, United States in 1920. She died on 15 February 1929, at the age of 53.

Brief Life History of John Murray

When John Murray Duke was born on 9 January 1877, in Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States, his father, James Duke, was 47 and his mother, Mary Murray Murdoch, was 24. He died on 14 November 1878, in his hometown, at the age of 1, and was buried in Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States.

Brief Life History of Archibald Kerr

When Archibald Kerr Duke was born on 25 October 1879, in Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States, his father, James Duke, was 49 and his mother, Mary Murray Murdoch, was 27. He died on 6 November 1880, in Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States, at the age of 1, and was buried in Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States.

Brief Life History of James Monroe

When James Monroe Duke Sr was born on 2 July 1881, in Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States, his father, James Duke, was 51 and his mother, Mary Murray Murdoch, was 29. He married Mary Alice Pinnock on 26 June 1906, in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States. They were the parents of at least 1 son. He died on 27 January 1907, in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States, at the age of 25, and was buried in Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States.

Brief Life History of Thomas T

When Thomas T Duke was born on 13 December 1883, in Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States, his father, James Duke, was 53 and his mother, Mary Murray Murdoch, was 31. He died on 6 November 1884, in his hometown, at the age of 0, and was buried in Heber City Cemetery, Heber City, Wasatch, Utah, United States.