Voices of the Past will showcase an interesting person or family within the Cemetery each week.
Joseph B. Duke
Born: August 01. 1816
Died: June 25, 1897, aged 81
Location: Old Section A, Lot 95
Joseph Duke was named as one of Homestead's pioneer citizens, and held the title of oldest male resident of Homestead prior to his death. He was born in Squirrel Hill, and married Ms. Catherine Dalling of Mifflin Township in 1845. They made their home on the land that would become Homestead, 30 years prior to the incorporation of the borough. They were members of the Fourth Avenue Baptist Church
Together, they had nine children. Mrs. Duke's death, twelve years prior to his own, was the first to break the family, and Mr. Duke retired from his business shortly afterwards. He passed in his home on 12 Seventh Avenue, Homestead, PA, 15120, on Friday, June 25, 1897, at 3:15 AM.
His funeral services were held at the First Baptist Church of Homestead on Sunday, June 27, 1897 at 2:30 PM. His interment at the Homestead Cemetery followed in a private ceremony.
Information gathered from:
"Joseph B. Duke," Pittsburgh Press, 26 Jun 1897, p. 7
"Duke," Pittsburgh Press, 27 Jun 1897, p. 14