EDD DUFFY MANSINGER  

The following bio was taken from page 297 of the book entitled “Rusk County History” compiled and edited and used with permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission. 

Transcribed by Shirley Koym 

Submitted by Gloria Briley Mayfield, Cemeteries of Texas 

Edd Duffy, son of G. S. and Ellen Bearden Mansinger, was born March 10, 1883 in Rusk County near Bearden Branch, between Henderson  and Brachfield.  He later moved to the Patrick Community, where he has lived all of his life.  He attended school in a log house and sat on split-log seats.  He had to quit school at age fourteen and work to help support the family.  He had two sisters, Lennie and Maggie; two brothers, Bob and Abe.

 Edd Duffy married Mary Lena Clinton, daughter of David Minor and Martha Taylor Clinton, December 18, 1904.  They were married by Rev. L. E. Tipps in her parents’ home, Sunday night at seven o’clock.  They rented a place to live in the Patrick Community until 1909 when he bought some land and built a house on it which still stands near the Pleasant Springs Presbyterian Church.

 In 1913 Edd Duffy bought the land which is known as the Birdwell land.  The house was so old you could see the stars through the roof.  In the winter when it snowed, it would sift through on the beds.  He had to keep a fire burning all night to keep the family warm.  He worked very hard and paid for the place the first year although it took everything he made.  After the crop was harvested, he cut and hauled logs with oxen, for Ragleys sawmill.  He helped other people clear land and did whatever he could to support his family and have enough to make a crop the next year.

 In 1921, he built a new house, where they still live.  He has been a farmer, has raised cows, and also raised the food they had to eat.  He did carpentry work when it was available, weighed cotton at Pine Hill Cotton Yard, and in the fall worked in what was called the Union Store.  He also worked for the Government in the Farm Program for twenty-six years.  He and his wife are member of the Pleasant Springs Presbyterian Church.  He was an elder and clerk of the church from 1915 until 1951.  He resigned because of poor health.  He has been a member of the Pine Hill Masonic Lodge since 1911.  He loves to read and tries to keep up with world events.  He played baseball when he was a boy and still loves to listen to a good game on television.

 The children, grandchildren and great grandchildren are:  Alden, who married Maurine Sitton; Gertie Mae, who married Troy Welch, and has one daughter; Mary Nell, who married R. L. Dickerson and has three children – Ellen Ann, Scott and David.  Scott married Kathy Quinn and they have one daughter, Brook.  Louise married Leroy Hudman and has one daughter, Wanda Louise.  Wanda Louise married Otis Houston and the couple have two sons, James Duffy and Collin.  Alvin married Oleta Rook, and they have two sons.  Son Edward married Rozella Nix and they have three children - Kathy, Rex, Bob.  Kathy married Steve Schluter and has one son, Charles Edward.  David and his wife, Paula Cates, have five children:  Lena, Laura, Lanice, James Paul, and David Duff.

 During his long life, Edd Duffy has helped many people and has done many acts of kindness for his fellow man.

 Submitted by Louise M. Hudman