Transcribed by Pat Stubbs

This Article Appeared In The Times

But Was Not Actually In Cal’s Column

January 22, 1953

JOHN B. MCDUFFEE HAS ANNIVERSARY

John Burton McDuffee, one of the oldest men in this county, and one of our best citizens, observed the 94th anniversary of his birth with a big dinner brought to his Hillsdale home by descendants on Tuesday of this week. "Uncle John," as he is familiarly known, was born on Peyton's Creek on Jan. 20, 1859, a few months before the Civil War opened. He was the son of Eli and Martha Thomason McDuffee. He was named in part for his uncle, Burton McDuffee.

Neil McDuffee, who spelled his name "McDuffy," was born in North Carolina in 1788, and early in the 19th century married Miss Barthenia Gregory, born in 1789, the daughter of Bry Gregory and wife. Bry was our own great-greatgrandfather and died from a stroke of lightning in 1847. Barthenia Gregory was born in North Carolina, and was commonly called Thenia McDuffee. In the census of 1850, the record shows the following children then in the McDuffee home: Tapley, 27 years of age; Norman, 18; and Burton, 17. We do not know why George McDuffee was not listed here, although he was one of the sons of Neil and Barthenia. A daughter, Polly, was born as early as 1816, and had become the wife of Archibald Jenkins, and in 1850, was the mother of: Elizabeth Jenkins, five; George Jenkins, four; Calloway Jenkins, three; and John Jenkins, two months old, at the time of the taking of the 1850 census for Smith County.

John McDuffee's father, Eli McDuffee, died early from exposure brought on by the hardships of the Civil War, and the son was left to carry a man's load when he was but a child. However, he proved true to his obligations and had been a man among men. No man stand higher in the county than does John Burton McDuffee. He is still active and almost as straight in body as any man of 50. He can still mount a horse and is still a great lover of good horses. His mind is as active as almost any man we know above 60 years of age. He delights in telling of events of 75 or 85 years ago and can recall hundreds of things almost without effort. We have some detailed information as to his line of descent, which we will try to give later.

At the birthday dinner Tuesday, man of his descendants and some others were present: Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Massey, Brice Massey, Eva Haley, Buford Haley, Mr. and Mrs. Efford Cothron, and sons, Milburn and Morris; Will Oldham, Mrs. Will Oldham, Frank Oldham, Alline Oldham, Ronald Oldham, Linda Fay Oldham, Samuel Oldham, Bobby Oldham, Mr. and Mrs. Wirt Wilburn, Mrs. B. W. Oldham, Mrs. George Wright, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Cothron, Mrs. Letha Dillehay, Mrs. Benton Williams, Junior Massey, Emogene Massey, Jessica Massey, Mrs. Truman Eller, Barbara Ann Eller, Jim Eller, J. B. Shoulders, Mr. and Mrs. Argie Eller, Emma and Joyce Eller, Mrs. Fred Wilburn, Annetta Oldham, and perhaps others.

Mr. McDuffee has an even dozen great-greatgrandchildren, the 12th having been the editor's grandson, Stephen Wooten Gregory, son of Frances Oldham Gregory, daughter of B.W. Oldham, son of Mrs. Will Oldham, daugher of the honoree.

Brother McDuffee is in good health and bids fair to round out a centruy of happy, joyful and most excellent living. May his remaining days be filled with the measure of happiness that he so much deserves.

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CARUTHERS WRITES

2013 E. Greenwood Ave.

Nashville, Tn.

Jan. 17

Dear Mr. Gregory:

In your "Cal's Column" of Jan. 15th, you mention Burkhardt and Herod. Let me add the following: Mort and Casper W. Herod, brothers, and Mr. Burkhardt, their brother-in-law, some time in the eighteen and nineties, came to Hartsville, Tennessee, and erected a business house and operated a mercantile establishment on Main Street for years. Casper went to Woodard*, Oklahoma, and engaged in the practice of law, and being quite successful in his chosen profession, he took a leading part in State politics. He was elected as representative to the Legislature for several terms and was a recognized leader in the development of Oklahoma as a State in the Union.

Yours truly,

Abe Caruthers

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Transcriber Note : In the book the question is asked if this is Woodward Oklahoma. After searching it must be noted that there was a Woodard Ok.