Henry Walker Duff
The best title one can establish to the high and generous esteem of an intelligent community is a protracted and honorable residence therein. Henry Walker Duff has resided in Fayette county. Ohio, sixty-five years and his career in every respect has been a commendable one and well deserving of being perpetuated in the history of his county. A self-made man and dependent upon his own resources from the time he was fourteen years old, he has arisen to his present prominence solely through his own industry, good judgment and wise management, His farm lands have alwaxs been well improved and highly productive, being numbered among the best farms of Jefferson township. He has always discharged his public and private duties honestly and fearlessly and in a spirit which brought him the commendation of his fellow citizens.
Henry W. Duff, a retired merchant and farmer of Jefferson township, was born December 26. 1847, in the towmship where he is now living. His parents, Peter and Sarah (Tanquary) Duff, were natives of Winchester, Virginia, and came to this county shortly after their marriage. The parents of Peter Duff never came to Ohio, spending all of their lives in Virginia, where they were born. To Peter Duff and wife were born ten children: Mrs. Rachel Corbitt, deceased; Mrs. Hannah Price, deceased; Mrs. Rebecca Fossett, deceased; Mrs. Mary Counts, deceased: John J., of Jeffersonville, Ohio; Edward C.; William M., of South Solon; Harvey and Henry W.
Henry W. Duff attended the Herald and Creamer schools of this county until he was fourteen years of age and then began to work out by the month in Paint township. At the age of nineteen he began to learn the carpenter trade and followed that for a few years. He then engaged in farming with his brother until 1889, when he engaged in the implement business in Jeffersonville. A few years later he disposed of his interest in this business and embarked in the grocery business, following this line of endeavor until 1905, when he retired from active work and is now living in the residence which he built in 1884.
Mr. Duff was married August 31, 1870, to Mary Margaret Ann Horney, a daughter of William and Adeline (Fent ) Horney. Mrs. Duff's parents were natives of this county and reared a family of eight children. Clara, Mary Margaret Ann, Ollie, Lucy. Lewis, Libbie, Ivy and James. To Mr. and Mrs. Duff have been born four children; three. Allia. Minnie and Audra, are deceased, and Auburn, who is deputy county treasurer and lives in Washington C. H., married Mary Parrett.
Mr. Duff is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party, but has never been an aspirant for any public office. He and his familu are all loyal and faithful members of the Methodist Protestant church, while, fraternally, Mr. Duff is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. while his wife is a member of the Rebekah lodge.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)