James R. Dukes
JAMES R. DUKES
Born April 6, 1833 in Cass county Indiana James moved to Pulaski
county, Indiana when he was about nine years of age. He was engaged
in farming until August 9,1862, when he enlisted in Company D, 87th
Indiana Volunteer Infantry from Pleasant Grove (Kewanna), by Capt.
Jackson for a term of 3 years. James was 5 feet 8 inches, fair complexion
black hair and brown eyes at the time of his enlistment. The regiment was
organized at South Bend, and James mustered in to Company E, August
31, 1862, promoted and paid from private to corporal. The regiment was
ordered from Indianapolis to Louisville, Kentucky. During the pursuit of
Bragg to Crab Orchard, James was promoted from corporal to sergeant October 3,
1862. On or about November 1,1862, near Cave City, Kentucky, James injured
his left foot while chopping wood for the company. As a result of the accident, infection set in, and amputation of the left foot became necessary.James was then discharged for disability from the hospitol in Louisville, by Col.Mundy, February 16, 1863. On his return, he served for awhile as Deputy Real Estate Appraiser; in 1864, he was elected County Recorder, and re-elected in 1868,serving eight years; he then engaged in mercantile trade at Star City, but in January 1874, moved to Winamac, and continued trade until 1879; he then
retired to the old farm in Harrison township, but in 1881 returned and established the Citizen's Bank of Winamac, of which he was president. James was a Democrat, a member of the I.O.O.F. and of the O.F. Emcampent. Married by his father Ephraim, September 22, 1852 to Maria Taylor, who died October 19,1853. In 1855 married Mary A. Rogers (McFadden) who bore him four children Ella May b.September12,1857, Frank L. b.July 30, 1859, Rosa (Rosalie) Edith b.May 19, 1861, and Addie B. b.May 8,1863. Mary died July 5, 1880, James then married his 3rd wife Edna McDonald July 13, 1882. They had no known children. Edna died August 7,1905. James then married his 4th wife Margaret E. Peters, widow of William E.Peters, October 13, 1906. She was 20 years younger than James. James died at his home in Winamac, Indiana March 24,1911.
Information was from "Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana-City of Winamac" published in 1883 by F.A. Battey& Co. as well as James' service record and pension papers.
Brian L. Dukes,
P.O.Box 427,
Rock Falls, IL 61071-0427