OBIT: Alexander W. DUKE, 1910, Woodland, Clearfield County, PA

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__________________________________________ 

ALEX W. DUKE.
Former Tyrone Citizen and Father of M. Margaret Leisenring Dead.

  Alex W. Duke, died in Woodland on Wednesday night at 10 o'clock, 
after an illness of about two months, due to the infirmities of age, 
having attained the remarkable age of 94 years, four months and 26 
days.  
  A man who came from revolutionary stock and war, himself twice a 
soldier for the defense of his country, who died loved and respected by 
all who knew him, his life being pure and his council wise, "Daddy 
Duke" will long be remembered as an example of what a man can be, when 
guided by true religious principles and the teachings of the Master.  
  The deceased was born in Uniontown, Pa., formerly called Dursetown, 
August 17, 1815.  He lived in Philadelphia for a number of years.  On 
leaving Centre County, he moved to Clearfield, where he resided several 
years, from which place he moved to Blair County, locating near Tyrone, 
afterwards moving into the town where he was employed for some years by 
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and finally locating at Woodland, 
where he entered and for a long time remained in the employ of the 
brick works.  He wagoned through Woodland on his way home from 
Milesburg to Caladonia, when there were only three buildings at 
Woodland, and when it took the greatest of care to avoid the heavy pine 
timber which stood where the main street is now located, the wagon hubs 
almost rubbing the trees. 
  As to Philipsburg, he well remembered when there were only three 
houses and the old tavern in the town.  He hauled material for the old 
Hardman Philips Screw Factory in Philipsburg.  
  His Grandfather saw the first flag of our country unfurled in 1... at 
Fort Stanwix in New York state, and who afterwards gave his life at 
Monmouth.  His grandfather on his mother's side also died from wounds 
received at the battle of Cowpens under General Green and Morgan.  
  His father was shot through both lungs at the battle of Thames under 
General Harrison.  He came home and died of his wounds about 1817.  
The deceased was a member of the "Centre Guards," who started to the 
front in 1847, but did not see active service at that time on account 
of the Mexican War coming to an end.  On August 19, 1861, he enlisted 
in Company A 49th regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers.  He served in the 
army of the Potomac under McClellan and Hancock.  He was in the thick 
of the fight at Yorktown and Williamsburg, Whitehouse Landing, Fair 
Oaks, where he saw General Stonewall Jackson wounded, Seven Pines, 
Gaines Mills, Savage Station, White Oak Ridge, Warwick Court House and 
Antietam Creek.  He was wounded at the Battle of Gaines Mills, where 
they fought in that retreat for seven days.  On account of his wound, 
he was discharged from further military duty and came home.  
  He was the father of sixteen children, ten being born in his first 
marriage, of which five are living, James and George, who are engineers 
on the New York Central Railroad and reside in Jersey Shore; F. W. and 
John, of Clearfield, Pa., and Margaret Leisenring of Tyrone.  To his 
second marriage were born six children, four living and two dead.  The 
living are Rev. J. J. Duke, of the U. B. Church, and located at 
Glasgow; Ashley W., who resides at Woodland; Daniel R. of Bradford 
Township, and Mrs. E. C. Learish, of Woodland.  Living are 21 
grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.  
  The funeral will take place on Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock.

Tyrone Herald, Tyrone, Pa., Thursday, January 20, 1910