2. William Henry² DuFree (Jr.) (William Henry¹) was born in Danville, NY 1854. William died in Connersville, Union, IN.

He married four times. He married Sarah Kesterton January 8, 1876. Sarah was born in Danville, NY. Her body was interred in Danville, NY, Greenmount Cemetery. He married Bertha "Bessie" Lorenz in Beloit, WI, May 14, 1895. Bertha was born in Germany, near the North Sea April 6, 1875. Bertha was the daughter of Carl F. Lorenz and Maria Engle. Bertha died February 14, 1903 in Elgin, IL, at 27 years of age. Her body was interred February 16, 1903 in Elgin, IL, Bluff City Cemetery. He married Elizabeth Cunningham in Elgin, IL, September 1, 1903. Elizabeth was born in Brookston, IL December 12, 1867. Elizabeth died June 20, 1905 in Elgin, IL, at 37 years of age. Her body was interred June 23, 1905 in Elgin, IL, Bluff City Cemetery. He married Anna Belle Handel 1907. W.H. "Harry" DuFree was born in 1854 in Danville, NY. According to the Elgin Daily Courier he was educated at Alfred Seminary where he studied chemistry and medicine. After leaving school he learned the mason's trade. Of an inventive mind, he continued studying after leaving school. He had patented several articles used in his craft. His principal invention was an improved building brick, a patent for which was issued to him January 11, 1898. The ingredients used in the hardening process consist of sulfuric acid, water of ammonia, and pulverized alum. In 1900, Harry and Dr. W. H. Truesdell formed a company for manufacturing the brick and for the sale of patent rights. The company had a plant on Chicago Street in Elgin, IL, but it was abandoned in 1903 due to Harry's health. Harry traveled all over the United States selling patent rights to his invention. He made considerable money in the venture but stated his profits were spent in advertising and travel expenses. Following an accident where chemicals Harry was mixing exploded, he lost his sight in one eye and was partially blinded in the other eye.

His first wife was Sarah Kesterton of Danville, New York. They were married January 8, 1876. Harry and Sarah had a daughter who they named Goldia. Goldia was raised by Harry's sister, Mrs. Michael Gannon of Greensburg, IN. Goldia lived for a while in NYC. In 1903, Goldia (Gannon) went to Alaska to marry Army Captain Will Davis on August 6th. Sarah later died during child birth January 6, 1879.

Harry's second wife was Bertha Lorenz of Dundee, IL. They were married May 14, 1895 in Beloit, WI. Harry and Bertha had three girls: Mary Agnes, Ruth Elizabeth, and Isabel. Bertha was ill for nearly a year and a half previous to her sudden death. She reportedly died of anemia February 14, 1902 in Elgin, IL.

His third wife was Elizabeth Cunningham of Brookston, IN. Harry and Elizabeth were married in Elgin, IL September 1, 1903 and had one girl, Mildred who was 13 months old when her mother died. Prior to meeting Harry, Elizabeth worked at the Elgin Watch factory. She continued working after their marriage, evidently supporting them as best she could. She died suddenly at 11:50 AM on Tuesday, June 20, 1905 in their home at 121 Grove Ave. in Elgin, IL. According to the Elgin Daily Courier she was found suffering from convulsions and Dr. Burlingame and Dr. Sturm were summoned. They found her unconscious and could do little for her.

A coroner's inquest requested that W.H. DuFree be held on $1,000 bond pending a chemical analysis of the contents of his wife's stomach. This action was taken when Dr. Sturm, who performed the post mortem, stated the findings did not coincide with the condition with which they found Mrs. DuFree. Harry DuFree was later arrested on a charge of murder on June 22, 1905, but was released on his own recognizance with an order to report each day. Harry was freed when the district attorney dropped the murder charges, since no evidence of toxins were found in Elizabeth's stomach. The coroner's inquest concluded Elizabeth died from pneumonia and complications of acute Bright's disease, cloddy swelling of the liver, and degeneration of the heart.

Elizabeth's brother, Silas Cunningham, requested custody of 13 month old Mildred so his family could raise her. Harry finally agreed. The older three girls (Mary, Ruth, and Isabel) went to live with their grandparents (Carl and Maria Lorenz) in Barrington, IL.

During the murder investigation the district attorney discovered that Harry had buried another woman in Bluff City Cemetery, Elgin, IL, September 9, 1900. The cemetery register showed her name as "Mrs Mary DuFree", 54 years old. She was reportedly born in Mansfield, OH, March 22, 1846, and died at the home of her brother-in-law Henry M. DuFree. The published obituary stated she came to Elgin, IL in 1895 and was employed by Cutter and Crossette shirt company. She was a widow and left no family. However, the address where she died was the same home in Elgin that Harry and his wife (Bertha) occupied at 1032 Morton Ave. The Elgin Daily Courier speculated Harry may have been married to Bertha and "Mary" at the same time, but Harry refuted that stating Mary DuFree was his sister. The district attorney was not able to prove bigamy so did not prefer charges. But it is interesting to note that there are three women buried in Bluff City cemetery in Elgin, all with the name of Mrs. DuFree. And all three burials were paid for by W. H. "Harry" DuFree!

Harry's fourth wife was Anna Belle Handel.

William Henry DuFree (Jr.) and Elizabeth Cunningham had the following child:

3 i. Mildred³ DuFree.

William Henry DuFree (Jr.) and Sarah Kesterton had the following child:

4 ii. Goldia DuFree was born in Danville, NY 1879.

William Henry DuFree (Jr.) and Bertha "Bessie" Lorenz had the following children:

Mary Agnes DuFree

5 iii. Mary Agnes DuFree was born in Elgin, IL August 20, 1896. Mary died June 15, 1974 in Elgin, IL, at 77 years of age. Her body was interred June 20, 1974 in Elgin, IL, Lakewood Memorial Park. She married Robert Ernest McBurney in Elgin, IL, June 17, 1916. Robert was born in Albia, IA January 11, 1890. Robert was the son of George Washington McBurney and Frances Zeleika Steele. Robert died September 25, 1961 in Elgin, IL, at 71 years of age. His body was interred September 28, 1961 in Elgin, Illinois, Lakewood Memorial Park. Robert was divorced from Mary Agnes DuFree in Elgin, IL, 1945. (See Robert Ernest McBurney for the continuation of this line.)

Mary was divorced from Robert Ernest McBurney in Elgin, IL, 1945. Prior to her retirement in 1961, Mary had been a 20-year employee of the Illinois Tool Works in Elgin, IL. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, the Dorcas Circle of the church, the Vision Workers of the church, and the Elgin Woman's Club.

6 iv. Ruth Elizabeth DuFree was born in Elgin, IL August 23, 1898. Ruth died April 13, 1981 in Elgin, IL, at 82 years of age. She married Louis Metzger in Dundee, Kane County, IL, August 31, 1918. Louis was born in Budapest, Hungary August 29, 1897. Louis died June 3, 1973 in Carpentersville, IL, at 75 years of age. His body was interred June 5, 1973 in Elgin, Illinois, Lake Street Memorial Park. (See Louis Metzger for the continuation of this line.)

7 v. Isabel B. DuFree was born in Elgin, IL June 11, 1900. Isabel died March 26, 1982 in Elgin, IL, at 81 years of age. Her body was interred March 31, 1982 in Elgin, IL, Bluff City Cemetery. She married Fred J. Kroeplin. Fred was born December 5, 1895. Fred died November 20, 1972 in Elgin, IL, at 76 years of age. His body was interred November 22, 1972 in Elgin, IL, Bluff City Cemetery.

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