This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
Duke of Durham tobacco magnate a life of growth and faith
The article profiles James B. Duke, founder of a tobacco empire originating in 1865 from a Durham log cabin. It details capital growth to 70,000, then 4,000 workers, and international shipments. It notes his sons Ben Buck and B L Duke, family consolidation into W. Duke & sons, and later George W Watts as partner. Duke funded churches and Trinity College, and remained active until his death at 83. His son Buck Duke heads American Tobacco in New York.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Durham
Ben
Buck
Anges
B. L
Duke of Durham
Duke
Trinity College
United States
Raleigh
Cape Fear
James B. Duke
New York
American Tobacco Company
Fred A. Olds
State Museum