JOHN DUNCAN

(From the History of Callaway County Missouri, 1884, page 561-563)
Transcribed by Kris Breid, 20 December 2005

JOHN DUNCAN (DECEASED).
He whose name heads this sketch was for years one of the most highly respected citizens and successful farmers of Callaway county, and although he has been dead for nearly twenty years, his memory is still cherished as that of a good man, whose life was useful and just. He was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, on the 9th of April, 1807, and was reared on his father's farm in that county. In 1830 he was married to Miss Sallie J., a daughter of William and Anna Adair of that county. She was born there January 23, 1811. Two years after his marriage Mr. Duncan removed to Missouri and settled near Millersburg, in Callaway county, where he lived for nearly thirty-five years and until his death, which occurred on the 14th of February, 1866. On coming to this county he bought a small tract of land, 120 acres in section 1, of Bourbon township, on which he improved a farm. Byindustry [sic] and intelligent management through the succeeding years of his life, this tract was added to until at the time of his death he owned about 1,000 acres of fine land, including one of the best farms in the county. He also had important personal property interests and was one of the responsible and substantial property holders of the county. But better than the success in the accumulation of this world's goods which he achieved, was the high character and enviable reputation he established for integrity, kindness and generosity and all the better qualities of the head and heart. He was a model neighbor and a public-spirited, excellent citizen, and his name will always be associated with the best class of pioneer settlers of the county. He was twice married.

His first wife died September 5, 1846, leaving six children: Evalina, now the wife of James M. Bruner; George T., Angelina, now the wife of Isaac F. Coons; Anna A., now the wife of Joseph W. Coons; Joseph W. and Mary E., now the wife of Wayman C. Sheets. To his second wife, formerly Miss Nannie Lloyd, of this county, he was married June 20, 1847. She bore him eight children, of whom seven are living: John, Hiram, Sallie J., Solomon K., Nimrod N., Richard and Nannie. Susan died in October, 1862. Thus this noble old pioneer settler left a large and worthy family of children to perpetuate his name and memory, and to carry forward the work he did so much to advance, that of making Callaway county one of the most prosperous counties in the State.

George T. Duncan his eldest son and at whose instance this biographic sketch of his father is prepared, was born of his father's first marriage in Bourbon township, Callaway county, Missouri, October 9, 1835. After he grew up in this county he was married here on the 22d of September, 1856, to Miss Louisa F., daughter of John and Elizabeth West, of Callaway county. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan have reared only two children: Dempie, now the wife of Joel T. Hayden, of Boone county, Missouri, and Anna Lee, the wife of James C. Reid of the same county. Mr. Duncan has always followed farming and stock raising, and is one of the leading fine stock men in the county. His jacks, jennets and mules are not excelled in the county. He attends the county fairs of Callaway, Boone and other counties, and annually carried off premiums on his fine long-eared stock and his mules. Personally and as a citizen Mr. Duncan stands among the best men in the county. He has an excellent farm which he has well improved and it is one of the most comfortable and substantial places in the township.

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