John Henry Duston II

His Story

    

     John Henry Duston II was born to parents John H.Duston and Sophia(White) Duston on September 9,1827 at Dover, Lafayette Co. Missouri. He was the fifth child of John H. II and Sophia Duston. From the age of 10 he made Caldwell Co. Mo . his home.  He resided with his family in the census of 1830,and in 1840.  When he was 19 he went to Galesburg, Illinois and entered as a student in the well known Knox College.  In 1849 he took and overland trip to California and remained there for two years.

     He joined in marriage with Martha Jane Hawks on April 29,1852 .  Martha Jane (b.1833-feb. 4,1871)

     In the census of 1860 John H. Duston II and wife Martha Jane were living in Caldwell Co. Blythe Twsp on the next farm from parents John H. I and Sophia.  At this point they had three children, Archibald-5, William 3,and Charlotte,1 . In the history of early Caldwell Co. schools I found that the “Old Henry Duston Log School” was one of the early schools.  It stood on Duston land ¼ mile West of J.Henry Duston’s home.  He came there in the 40’s and was instrumental in starting the school. He taught in this log school before he went off to he Civil War.  Later he was director at the school. In due time the old log school was abandoned.  Early in the 70’s a frame school was built ¾ miles East, still on Duston land.  It was named “Center Prairie School”.

       In the census of 1870 John H. Duston II and wife Jane are living on farm near Kingston with 7 children and 1 housekeeper named Caroline Flinn who is 19yrs old.

     Martha Jane Duston died in 1871 leaving a family of five children at home ; Archie A.; William W.; Charlotte L.; John H.; and Sarah Etta.  Four children were deceased: Ora, Ida H. ,Sturges and Martha S.  

     Mr. Duston’s second marriage occurred Feb.23,1873, to Mary Ann Bowers, born March 4,1842 and died August 8,1910.  She is buried in Kingston Cemetery , Kingston, Mo.    From this union were born five children : Russella L.; Alcie C.; Barnard E.; Dessa M.; and Ann J. They lost one son Hugh H.

     In the census of 1880 John H. Duston II and 2nd wife Mary Ann are living at same farm near Kingston with 6 children ranging in age from 22to 1yr.

     In the census of 1900 they remain on same farm with only three children living at home.  The farm is next to his brother Hugh Philander Duston’s .

     John Henry Duston II dies in September ,on the 9th day of 1906 and is buried beside 1st wife Martha Jane in Duston Cemetery, near Kingston, Missouri.