James Duval

As printed in 1881

REV. JAMES DUVAL.

James Duval was born in Culpepper county, Virginia, on the 8th day of March, 1804. He was the second son and fourth child of a large family. He was educated in the schools of his native state, and was an apt and industrious pupil. Always passionately fond of books, and of research for knowledge, he never ceased, to the day of his death, being a hard student. Early in life Mr. Duval was converted to the Christian religion, and connected himself with the Old School Baptist Church. The conviction that it was his duty to "go into all the world and preach the gospel," was so strong upon him, that he, soon after his conversion, was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry, and gave his lifelong service to it. Mr. Duval was married in the month of November, 1836, to Miss Lydia Russell, of Frederick county, Virginia, and in the autumn of 1848, removed with his family to Missouri. He located in Ray county, six miles north of Richmond, where he purchased, and entered together, more than seven hundred acres of land, and when not engaged in his ministerial labors, Mr. Duval devoted his time to the successful management of his large farm. Mr. Duval was an inveterate reader, and possessed a remarkable memory. He never forgot what he read, and was regarded as the best informed man in his section of the county. Eight children were born of his union with Miss Russell, seven sons and one daughter. Three sons were killed in battling for the south. Lieutenant William Duval was killed at Corinth, Mississippi, while gallantly planting the Confederate flag on the Union breastworks. He was the third man killed while trying to plant the southern colors on the defenses of the "boys in blue" in that sanguinary struggle. Thomas and Henderson were killed at the battle of Baker's Creek, Mississippi. Mr. Duval lost his wife in September, 1874. She was an excellent lady, and a fitting companion for her husband. Her death was deeply mourned by her many friends. James Duval died on the 6th day of April, 1881, after having been pastor of Marion Church, near Knoxville, for more than thirty years. His loss was greatly lamented by his congregation, and his memory is honored and revered by the entire community. He was a kind-hearted, modest, pious and godly man, generous and charitable to the erring. His death leaves a void in the ministry and in the community not easy to be filled.

As printed in History of Ray County, Mo. (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.