GEORGE W. DUVALL, attorney at law, Caldwell County, Ky., was born in Lewis County, Va., December 11, 1829. His grandfather, Lewis Duvall, was a native of Virginia, and in an early day moved to Harrison County, in the western part of the State (now West Virginia), where he died many years ago. Subject's father, George T. Duvall, was one of the earliest settlers of Lewis County, Va. He was one of the founders of what is known as Collins' Settlement, a locality which has probably produced more distinguished men than any other community in the United States. Among the noted men born in this settlement can be named G. D. Camden; J. M. Bennett and James Bennett, lawyers of State reputation; George J. and William E. Arnold, leading attorneys; J. M. and Homer Holt, prominent lawyers; Johnson Camden, present United States senator from West Virginia; Dr. Thomas Camden; Morgan L. Pullen; George W. Bush; W. K. Wilson and L. L. Duvall, and others, all prominent men, and all born within a radius of five miles of the original settlement. George T. Duvall was a farmer and man of high standing, and filled various positions of honor and trust. He died in 1876, aged eighty-eight years. Subject's mother, Mary (Godfrey) Duvall, was a daughter of John Godfrey, who died in Lewis County, Va., in 1846, at the advanced age of one hundred and ten years. Mrs. Duvall departed this life June 17, 1866, aged seventy years. Mr. and Mrs. Duvall reared a large family of children, most of whom are dead, and all loved and respected where they lived and died. Capt. George W. Duvall enjoyed good educational advantages in his youth, and at the age of eighteen entered the Northwestern Virginia Academy at Clarksburgh, from which he graduated in 1853. After graduation he commenced the study of law in Lewis County under Judge G. D. Camden, and received license to practice in 1854. In 1857 he located in Spencer, Roane Co., Va., where he engaged in the practice of his profession, and remained until 1861, at which time he entered the Confederate army as private; was elected captain of Company E, Thirty-sixth Virginia Regiment, Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until September, 1863. In 1861 he was elected to represent the counties of Jackson and Roane in the legislature of Virginia, but did not get a certificate or take his seat owing to his connection with the army. He was again elected in May, 1863, left the service in September and entered upon his duties as representative, remaining in the house until 1865. At the close of the war he came to Princeton, where he has ever since resided, practicing his profession in Caldwell and adjoining counties. He was elected commonwealth's attorney for Caldwell County in 1876 and served two terms. He was married January 4, 1872, to Mrs. E. A. Murrell, daughter of John W. and Mary Cook, formerly of Virginia. Mr. Duvall is a successful attorney, having a large and lucrative practice, and for several years has been one of the leading lawyers of southern Kentucky. In politics he has always, been a Jeffersonian Democrat.

 

Source:  J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Page 696.