Duff, George H.

Passed: 1898-09-25

Age: 66

Source:

Death Notice: 1898-09-25

Obituary Date:

Information: George H. Duff died at his residence at Mount Tell, about 1 o'clock a.m., September 25, 1898.  For several months he had been a sufferer from the right side and legs, which terminated fatally.  The summons came at last to tread the unknown pathway of the ""further shore"". Obedient to its mandate, a braver spirit never passed into the realms of death.  He was born in Amhurst county, Virginia, November 18, 1831.  His parents were of a Scotch-Irish descent and natives of the Old Dominion.  In 1837, when he was only 6 years of age, and the oldest child of the family, they moved to Ohio, where they resided upon a farm and subsequently moved to Illinois, where they also lived on a farm.  In April 1844 they removed to this place in straitened circumstances, where wild animals abounded and howling wolves were heard in the primeval, where there was not even a bridle path for any one to travel.  His father patented a large survey of land.  He worked with his father that he might look with pride upon a plantation which he had helped to redeem. ....He was a singularly gifted boy, with attractive countenance and pleasing voice and a desire to rise in the world.  Through kind friends-the Hassler family-he attended school at the county seat, and by diligent study, acquired in the course of a few years, a knowledge of books sufficient to enable him to pursue his studies at home.      In 1853 he taught his first term of school on Spring Creek, near Spencer.  He was married June 22, 1856 to Keziah Cunningham of Roane county.  The same summer he built a dwelling on the eastern border of his father's survey and patented a 300-acre survey adjoining that of his father, a portion of which he cultivated in garden every year since.  He delighted in the beauties of nature.  The streams, hills, trees and flowers were dear to him.  His sympathies were as boundless as the sky.  He cultivated nearly every vegetable and flower that was adapted to this climate.  He was probably the first man in Jackson county to bud and graft fruit trees.  He took pride in the vineyard, and in growing the finest variety of fruits.  He made a specialty of his garden, growing choice vegetables and flowers.  About 1870, he began to report to the Secretary of Agriculture, keeping up his correspondence until his last illness.  He served his district as a member of the Board of Education and also as secretary.  He has been a faithfull co-worker in education, having taught 45 years in Jackson and adjacent counties.  He taught his last session at Gay.      His heart always beat in sympathy with all his kind, knowing no distinction of class, creed or condition in its warm affection; but he has finished the labors of this life and is gone from our midst--a brave, true, gentle spirit, admired by all familar with his virtues and mourned by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.  Integrity wreathes his character and life.  He was borne to the family graveyard where the burial services were conducted by Rev. James K. Fisher in the presence of a large congregation. He was laid to rest by the side of his two sons to await the trumpet sound.  He leaves a wife and seven children--M. A. Eastwood, Lena and Lina, Morgan, John W., Rath, Sallie and Ludie Duff-- to mourn his loss.