YOLO CO. CA
HISTORIES before 1923
 

"A Memorial and biographical history of Northern California : containing a history of this important section of the Pacific coast from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time : together with glimpses of its prospective future, full-page portraits of its most eminent men, and biographical mention of many of its pioneers and also of prominent citizens of to-day." by John B Montgomery, W A Bartlett, J S Missroon, Wm L Todd; pub. Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co., 1891, 871 pgs. (LH10557, HeritageQuest images 4/2007; FHL film 468,756 item 3 and 1,000,098 item 1; CA State Library book qc979.41 M5a)
      Pg.376-377: B.F. DUNCAN, an extensive rancher of the Capay Valley, was born February 2, 1840, in Vigo County, Indiana, and the son of John I. and Margaret (Toler) Duncan, natives of Virginia. The senior Duncan followed agricultural pursuits all his life. At one time he was judge of this district. In 1842 he removed to Missouri, where he remained until his death, which occurred when he was seventy-four years old; his wife also died in that State, in 1849. Mr. B.F. Duncan, our subject, was raised on the farm in Missouri. At the age of 21 years he enlisted in Company G., Captain Curry, Eighth Regiment, Colonel Mitchell, Parson's Brigade, Cavalry, and was six months in the service. He was mustered out at Shreveport, Louisiana, after a service of three years and three months. Was wounded four times, twice in one engagement. ... After the war he remained in Missouri until 1870, when he came to California and settled near Cottonwood, Yolo County, on land which he purchased. He remained there until 1878, when he sold out and purchased his present place two miles west of Capay, in the celebrated Capay Valley. This ranch consists of 737 acres of choice bottom land, on which Mr. Duncan carries on a general farming business, and is preparing to establish himself in the fruit industry next year (1891). He is a very practical man and enterprising. He has two brothers in this county, whose sketches will be found elsewhere in this volume. (MAD: nothing said about a wife) (MAD: see Barry Co. MO and Amherst Co. VA)
      Pg.619-620: W.G. DUNCAN, a farmer near Capay, Yolo County, was born October 1, 1828, in Amherst County, Virginia, the son of John I. and Margaret (Toler) Duncan, natives also of that State, who moved to the northern part of Missouri when their son was a small boy. Remaining with his parents until 1850, the subject of this sketch, in company with his brother, William H., came overland to California, with Dr. Lane, who supplied the penniless boys with the necessaries of the journey, in consideration of half their earnings for a year. They followed mining at Mud Springs for three months, but with little profit, and Dr. Lane agreed to release them with three months' work for him, which proposition was accepted and the work done. The brothers then followed mining again, until the spring of 1853, when they took up a tract of land two and a half miles from their present place. In 1869 they disposed of that farm to Mr. Woodard. During the previous year they had bought the place where they now reside, a mile from Capay, where they now have 7,300 acres, besides eighty acres near Woodland. Mr. Duncan was married in Woodland, March 13, 1879, to Miss Mary Franklin, a native of California, and they have one child, who was born in 1883 and is named Elvira G.
      Pg.625: HENRY F. JUDY, at Winters, born in Clark County, Kentucky, March 21, 1858. In March, 1860, he was taken by his parents to Missouri, where he lived until 1880, when he came to California. In 1883 to Winters ... He was married in Oakland, September 15, 1885, to Lucy Sparks, who was born October 26, 1864, in Sutter County, this State, a daughter of E.J. and Mary (Duncan) Sparks; her father is a native of North Carolina and her mother of Missouri. (MAD: Winters, Yolo Co. CA)
      Pg.697: B.B. FRANKLIN, rancher between Woodland and Madison, is a son of Willis and Mary H. (Hamilton) Franklin, both natives of Virginia. The subject of this sketch was born in Tennessee, in 1828; at the age of 13 years he went to Barry Co. MO, where he remained until 1850 ... to the Golden State (ca 1852) located in Yolo Co. ... His first marriage was to Elvira E. Ditht, a native of Kentucky. They have two children: John H. and Mary E.; the latter is now the wife of G. Duncan, a farmer of Yolo County. Mr. Franklin was married a second time, to Adeline H. Hertford, a native of Tennessee, and they have one son, Benjamin B. ... (MAD: name "Ditht" as given)
 

1913 "History of Yolo County, California, with biographical sketches" by Tom Gregory, pub. by Historic Record Company (CA State Library book qc979.451 G8; FHL film 547,559 item 1)
      Pg.304-6: JAMES M. McHENRY ... A native of White Co. KY (sic), Mr. McHenry removed to MO with his parents, who spent their last years in that section. His father, James McHenry, a farmer by occupation, married Miss Moody, a relative of the famous Evangelist Moody. James McHenry, Jr., successfully conducted a farm in MO until his marriage with Miss Pierce, whereupon he disposed of his eastern interests and crossed the plains with his bride in the early '50s. For some months he mined with varying success, later engaging in the teaming and livery business in Modesto, CA, where he built the first hotel in that section. Upon the death of his wife, who left two daughters, Margareta, Mrs. Paul Tietzen, of Berkeley, and Almeda, Mrs. Davidson, of Santa Maria, he sold his business in Stanislaus Co. and removed to Santa Rosa, where he continued to exert his efforts as a progressive and capable citizen, contributing largely to the development of that locality until 1873, when he settled in Woodland. Shortly thereafter, in partnership with M. Eaton, he opened an up-to-date livery barn, conducting also many other public enterprises, including the survey and maintenance of a stage road between Woodland and Lake county. Upon the sale of his livery interest to H. C. Duncan he engaged in agricultural pursuits near Esparto, Yolo county.
            January 25, 1875, Mr. McHenry married his second wife, Mrs. Elizabeth (Duncan) Keithly, born near St. Joseph, MO, and to their union two children were born: William Lane, who now resides near Esparto, and Ethel Terry, who after her graduation from the San Francisco Business College became the wife of Charles P. Murphy of that city. ....
            Elizabeth Duncan was the daughter of Charles and Dorcas (Coffman) Duncan, natives of TN and MD, respectively, and received her education in the public schools near St. Joseph, MO. Her paternal grandfather, Joel Duncan, of Scotch parentage, was also a native of TN and settled in McDonough Co. IL, where he farmed until his death. His son Charles spent his youth in IL, removing later to Andrew Co. MO, where he operated a farm for a time. Later he located in Henderson Co. IL, where he remained until 1864, going thence to California, with his wife and seven children, in company with twelve families westward bound, their well-stocked wagons being drawn by horses. After five months of weary travel, not the least of their troubles having been the necessity of frequently keeping the Indians at bay, they reached Yolo county, where Mr. Duncan filed upon a homestead near Plainfield, actively conducting his ranch until his death in 1886, at the age of eighty years, lacking but two weeks. Of the various sections in which Mr. Duncan had made his home, he found no climate so agreeable as that of California, which he termed the land of sunshine and flowers.
            Mr. Duncan was united in marriage with Dorcas Coffman, who was born in MD and who accompanied her parents to Hancock Co. IL. Her father, Jacob Coffman, born in MD, was a farmer by occupation, and with his wife spent his last years in IL. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan were blessed with the following children: Louisa J., now Mrs. W.J. Chard, of Washington; Mary C., who became the wife of H.H. Hungate, and who now resides in Walla Walla, Wash.; Elizabeth, Mrs. McHenry; William J., who makes his home in Waitsburg, Wash.; Nancy A., now Mrs. J.T. McJunkin of Hanford, CA; H.C., who resides in Fair Oaks, CA; James C., of Shasta county; and Lane, who prior to his removal to Garfield County, Wash., served for eight years as clerk of Yolo county.
            January 25, 1866, Elizabeth Duncan became the wife of William Keithly, who was born in Indiana, and who moved to McDonough Co. IL, with his parents, Jacob and Sarah (Roberts) Keithly. The son assisted upon his father's farm until 1852, when, with his brother John, he crossed the plains to Yolo Co. CA, with the aid of ox-teams. Later he took up a homestead and engaged in stock raising, but owing to continued exposure under adverse climatic conditions his health failed to the extent that in 1869 he was forced to sell his interests. Shortly thereafter he purchased a ranch of one thousand and ninety-two acres in the Esparto section, conducting his affairs with great success until his death in Sacramento in 1872, when but forty-five years old. Mr. and Mrs. Keithly were the parents of three children, as follows: Frank, who is a farmer near Esparto; Charles H., who resides in Prince Rupert, Canada; and Hattie, Mrs. Mehmedoff, of Esparto.
            Since the death of her second husband Mrs. McHenry has divided her time between the home ranch and her Woodland residence, continuing an active interest in the affairs of the estate, which, in 1909, was sub-divided and sold, the heirs reserving forty acres each.
            William Lane McHenry was married to Rosella Carrick, whose birth occurred in Yreka, Siskiyou Co. CA. They now make their home in Yolo county, where, in addition to his share of his father's estate, Mr. McHenry conducts a ten-acre tract devoted to horticulture, his enterprise and good management having placed him among the leading citizens of the community.
            Highly cultured, and of a generous, sympathetic temperament, Mrs. McHenry is greatly beloved ....
      Pg.365: WYATT GODFREY DUNCAN .... The founder of the Duncan family in America was Wyatt Duncan, a native of Scotland and for many years a planter in Virginia, but eventually a pioneer of Missouri, where he died in Callaway county at a great age. Among his children was a son, Judge John I. Duncan, who was born in Virginia April 15, 1807, grew to manhood at the old homestead, married Margaret Toler and after his marriage settled in the western part of the Old Dominion. About 1833 he took his family to Missouri and settled upon raw land in Callaway county. Later he returned east as far as Indiana and rented land in Vigo county, but not being satisfied he went back to Missouri, where he bought a large tract in Barry county. .... His death occurred January 18, 1876, when he was almost sixty-nine years of age. His wife was born in Virginia and died August 18, 1849, in Missouri. Her father, Godfrey Toler, came to the United States during young manhood and settled in Virginia, where he engaged in farming. After many years he settled among the pioneer farmers of Indiana. Later he went to Barry Co. MO, and there he passed away November 4, 1843, at an advanced age.
            There were twelve children in the family of Judge Duncan. Five of the number are still living. The eldest of the family, Wyatt Godfrey, was born in Amherst Co. VA, October 1, 1828, and was taken to Missouri at five years of age, later went to Indiana with the family and then returned to Missouri, whence he started with a brother, William, to California, April 24, 1850 ... which ended uneventfully September 1, 1850, at the mines near Eldorado.
            Thus it was that Mr. Duncan came to Yolo county in 1851. ... With his brother, William, he came to Yolo county during the spring of 1853 from Yreka, Siskiyou county.
            The marriage of Mr. Duncan took place March 13, 1879, in Woodland, this state, and united him with Miss Mary Franklin, who was born and reared near that city. Her parents, Benjamin and Elvira (Wright) Franklin, were natives, respectively, of Tennessee and Kentucky ... (Wyatt & Mary) Their only daughter, Elvira Grey, is the wife of J.W. Monroe, of Woodland, and the only son, Wyatt G., assists in looking after the home farm.
 

"History of Yolo County California : with Biographical Sketches of The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified With Its Growth and Development From the Early Days to the Present" by Tom Gregory; Pub. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1913 (HeritageQuest book LH11399; 3/9/2010)
      Pg.614-617: REUBEN BORTON CRANSTON. The genealogy of the Cranston family is traced to Ireland, but for the greater part of a century there have been representatives of the name in the United States. In this era of restless and frequent change of location it is worthy of especial mention that three successive generations have lived and labored at the same old homestead in Guernsey county, Ohio. The founder of the name in America was Thomas Cranston. In 1812 he crossed the ocean, settling in Ohio and taking up government land near Fairview. ... when he died at the age of eighty-two ... devoted Methodist ... Not long after he came to the new world he had established a home on the farm and had brought to the primitive log cabin his bride, who was Nancy Cummings, a native of Lancaster county, Pa., and like himself a resident at the old homestead throughout her remaining years. Her death occurred there when she was seventy-two.
      Among the children of the Irish-American pioneer in Guernsey county there was a son, George W., who was born on the home farm in December of 1832, grew to manhood on the place familiar to his earliest memories, took up agricultural pursuits on the land, married and there reared his family, one of whom, George E., now owns the old homestead ... Besides the son who still owns the homestead there were five children in the parental family. All but one of these are still living and two reside in California, namely: Reuben Borton and Thomas F., the latter holding a responsible position as accountant in the office of the former. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Margaret Borton, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, and died there in 1864, her husband, who long survived her, dying from the results of an accident at the age of sixty-five. Mrs. Cranston was a daughter of Reuben Borton, an honored farmer of Guernsey county and a prominent pioneer of the neighborhood where his daughter spent her entire life. Her son, Reuben Borton, to whom she gave the name of her father, was born at the Cranston homestead near Fairview September 2, 1856, and received a public-school education. At the age of eight years he was bereaved by the death of his mother, but he continued at the old home afterward and gave increasing aid to the farm work as the years passed by.
      Desiring to try his fortunes in regions yet undeveloped, Mr. Cranston went to Arkansas in February of 1879 and became interested in cotton raising near Coalhill, Johnson county. A brief experience convinced him of the futility of further efforts in that location and accordingly in December of the same year he proceeded to California, where he settled at Capay, Yolo county. For a time he was employed in the digging of wells and later he engaged in chopping wood, after which he was employed on a farm. During September of 1880, as an employee of H.C. Duncan, he began to drive the stage between Woodland and Lower lake, a distance of seventy miles over the mountains. With the assistance of four relays of horses he was able to make the trip in twelve hours, returning the following day. At the expiration of six and one-half months he began to work for H.E. Rhodes, a farmer, with whom he continued from April, 1881, until August 12, 1882. ...
      Resuming the task of stagedriver for Mr. Duncan on New Year's day of 1883, Mr. Cranston continued at the work until December 15, 1885. Coming to Woodland in April of 1886, he entered the employ of E.H. Baker in the old Exchange Hotel, occupying the present site of the Julian Hotel ... During April of 1887 he became clerk for the Marshall Diggs hardware store ... for eleven years and four months. During this time, on New Year's day of 1888, he had been married in the capay valley to Miss Alma Viola Henry, who was born in Michigan and in order of birth was the third youngest in a family of nine children, all but one of whom survive. Of the marriage there are five children, namely: Lester Henry, who assists his father in the store; Geneva B., who died in July of 1895 at the age of five years; George R., Thornton E. and Hazel V. The family occupy a modern and comfortable home on First street, erected in 1909 ...
      Jacob Henry, father of Mrs. Cranston, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, March 3, 1818, the son of John Henry, an Ohio pioneer. ... In 1865 he removed to Henderson county, Ill., and took up land near Kirkwood. Ten years later he came to the Capay valley of California. There he died December 30, 1900, from injuries received in a fall from his wagon. At the time of his demise he was eighty-two years of age. April 26, 1849, he had married Miss Caroline R. Conradt, who was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, September 20, 1833, and at the age of thirteen years accompanied her parents to America, spending one year in New York and thence removing to Berrien county, Mich. After the death of her husband she continued at the old farm for a few years, but the land is now rented to tenants, while she resides with her children.
      ... As early as 1881 he became a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows ....
 

1879 "The Illustrated atlas and history of Yolo County, California : containing a history of California from 1513 to 1850, history of Yolo County from 1825 to 1880, and the official county map" pub. by DePue, San Francisco (Yolo Co. Public Library, Woodland, CA; also on FHL film 468,752 item 2)
      Pg.86: DUNCAN, WM. H. and W.G., crossed the plains, driving stock for Dr. E.C. Lane, to pay their passage, and W.G. stopped on the way at Mud Springs (El Dorado Co.), and the other brother came on to Yolo county direct. The next Spring both were in the mines. In the Fall they changed places, Wm. H. remaining during the Winter to prospect, while the other brother visited the valley. In the Summer of 1852, they together prospected north until Oregon was reached, and then returned, in the Spring of 1853, to Yolo county together. ... The last named year (1857) W.G. went to Mendocino county ... until 1859, when he drove back a herd of about 900 head of cattle to Cache Creek, where he has remained since. Wm. H. in the mean time had continued in Dr. Lane's employ, which he did not leave until the Spring of 1861, when he joined his brother, but went away again in the Spring of 1862 ... He visited northern California, Oregon, Washington Territory and Idaho, returning the same year ...
            William H. was born in Millersburg, Callaway Co. MO, January 30th, 1838. At twelve years of age, he crossed the plains, and was married to Helen M. Reed, of Folsom, Sacramento county, California, August 2d, 1863. Their children's names are Lizzie L., Mary L., John W., Frank W., Lewis M., Walter G., and Clarence H.
            W.G. was born in Amherst Co. VA, October 1st, 1828, and before coming to California resided in Barry Co. MO. He was married March 13, 1879, to Mary Franklin, in Woodland, ....
      Pg.87: DUNCAN, B.F., was born in Vigo Co. IN, February 2, 1840. His parents moved in 1841 to Missouri, where the subject of this sketch remained until 1871, when he came to California and settled in Yolo county. ... He is a brother of W.G. and Wm. H., and their residence in Yolo county was the main inducement that caused him to break up his home in Missouri and come to this coast. On 30 October 1869, he was married to S.A. Brattin in Barry Co. MO, Professor Morris officiating. They have had six children, four of whom are now living, as follows: M.A., born September 21, 1875; H.M., born April 15, 1877; R.I., born February 20, 1874, and W.G., born December 21, 1878. L.J. was born July 22, 1872, and died March 11, 1875. ....
      Pg.98: DUNCAN, Henry C., a native of Illinois, born March 31, 1849. He lived in his native State until he came to California in 1864, across the plains. He settled in Yolo county the same year, and has been engaged in farming since. In 1874, he purchased the Woodland and Lower Lake Stage Line, of which he is still the proprietor. He was married to Dollie Chinn, at Woodland, October 3d, 1878, by Rev. J.N. Pendergast. Mr. Duncan owns 160 acres of land, all of which is under cultivation. His post-office address is Capay.
 

1879 "McKenney's District Directory for 1878-9 of Yolo, Solano, Napa, Lake, Marin and Sonoma Cos. CA" (FHL fiche 6,125,780; alphabetic within town or township; from page by page)
      Yolo County, Capay (pg.11):
            Duncan, B.F., 374 acres
            Duncan, H.C., liv stab and prop'r Cal Q S M stage line, 160 acres
            Duncan, W.H. and H.G., 5632 acres
            Hungate, H.H., 720 acres
      Yolo County, Woodland (pg.35):
            Duncan, Chas., 160 acres
 

"The western shore gazetteer and commercial directory for the state of California : containing the names of all the adult male citizens of the state, their occupations and professions, the amount of capital invested, value of property, as near as can be ascertained from the most reliable sources, the county, town and election precinct in which each resides, and his post-office address : Yolo County : one volume being devoted to each county of the state, giving a brief history of each county, its organization, past and present county, town and precinct officers, the kind and value of its imports and exports, condition of its finances, its mining, manufacturing and agricultural resources, etc., etc. : the names as well as business and profession of each individual arranged in alphabetical order, convenient for reference : together with a copious index to all advertisements and business callings" by C.P. Sprague; pub. Woodland Calif.: C.P. Sprague & H.W. Atwell, c1870, 608 pgs. (LH11398, HeritageQuest images 4/2007; FHL film 1,000,132 item 5)
      Pg.190: (marriages) William Keithly and Elizabeth Duncan, January 25th, 1866.
      Residents and Occupations.
      Pg.281: Duncan, John, Ky.; caulker, Washington; Post-office, Sacramento.
      Duncan, Charles, Tenn.; farmer, residence 8 miles SW from Woodland; one hundred and sixty acres of land, Division 3, all in cultivation; value, two thousand dollars; capital invested, eight hundred dollars; North Putah Precinct, Putah Township; Post-office, Woodland.
      Duncan, Henry, Ill.; farmer, resides 8 miles SW from Woodland; one hundred and sixty acres of land, Division 3, all in cultivation; value, two thousand dollars; capital invested, eight hundred dollars; North Putah Precinct, Putah Township; Post-office, Woodland.
      Duncan, David, Ireland; laborer, Fremont Township; Post-office, Sacramento.
      Duncan, E.G., Mo.; farmer, with Wm. H. Duncan, West Cottonwood Precinct, Cottonwood Township; Post-office, Cache Creek.
      Duncan, Wm. H., Mo.; farmer, with E.G. Duncan, residence 7 miles N from Cottonwood, 17 miles NW from Woodland; three thousand four hundred acres of land, Divisions 3 and 4, four hundred acres in cultivation; staple, wheat, value of real estate, seventeen thousand dollars; deals in sheep and wool [see stock tables]; Post-office, Cache Creek. (MAD: stock tables not looked at)
      Pg.282: Duncan & Beaumont; farmers, Putah Township Post-office, Davisville.
      Pg.505: Business Directory: Caulker. Duncan, John; Post-office, Sacramento.
      Pg.534: Shepherds and Sheep-Owners. Duncan, Wm. H., 7 miles N from Cottonwood, sheep and wool for sale; Post-office, Cache Creek.
 

1906 "History of the state of California and biographical record of the Sacramento Valley, California" by Prof. James Miller Guinn, pub. by Chapman Pub. Co. (FHL film 468,760 item 2 and 1,000,095 item 2; CA State Library book qc 920.079 G9; also from Vivian Biddle; Sacramento FHC book 979.453 H964g)
      Pg.1664: JAMES M. McHENRY ... The widow of Mr. McHenry was in maidenhood Elizabeth Duncan, who was born near St. Joseph, Mo. Her father, Charles Duncan, was born in Tennessee, a son of Joel Duncan, also a native of the same state, whence he removed to McDonough Co. IL, and engaged as a farmer until his death. He was of Scotch descent and inherited the qualities of manhood characteristic of the natives of that country.
            Charles Duncan became a resident of Illinois in boyhood and in young manhood removed to Andrew Co. MO, where he followed his early training and became a farmer. Subsequently he returned to McDonough Co. IL, thence to Henderson county, same state, where he made his home until 1864, in which year he crossed the plains with his wife and seven children ... making the trip, which lasted from March to July, with horse teams, there being but twelve wagons in the party. Although the Indians were very troublesome they came through safely and upon his arrival in California, Mr. Duncan ... Plainfield, where his death occurred in 1886, lacking but fifteen days of being eighty years old. ...
            He was a member of the Baptist Church, as was his wife, formerly Dorcas Coffman, a native of Kentucky, and the daughter of Jacob Coffman, who settled in Hancock Co. IL, where he died. ...
            Reared in Illinois, Elizabeth Duncan received her education in the public schools of that state, and in 1864 ... William Keithly ... Born of this marriage were three children, namely: Frank, who conducts a part of the home ranch; Charles H., located in McCloud, Cal.; and Hattie, widow of W.E. West, and now residing in Alaska.
      Pg. 1565-6: EDWIN E. DUNCAN. Although a resident but a brief time of Yolo county, Edwin E. Duncan has already established for himself a reputation among the progressive and enterprising farmers. He is located on a forty-acre ranch one mile west of Woodland, which property is given over to the cultivation ....
            A native of Illinois, he was born near Pekin, Tazewell county, March 13, 1866. His grandfather and father, both named George, were natives of Scotland, who became early settlers of Illinois, both engaging as farmers in that state throughout their entire lives. His mother, formerly Jessie Tyrie, was also a native of Scotland. She still survives her husband and makes her home in Illinois. She was the mother of ten children, of whom eight are living, Edwin E. being the third in order of birth. He was reared to young manhood in his native state, receiving his education in the district school in the vicinity of his home. When nineteen years old he rented a part of the old home, upon which he engaged in farming and stock-raising until 1901, when he removed to Wapello Co. IA, and in the vicinity of Ottumwa bought a farm of two hundred and three acres. He remained in that location for two years engaged in farming, when he returned to Illinois and in Morton county followed the real estate business. In March, 1904, he came to California and in the vicinity of Woodland purchased property which he still owns and operates, having met with success thus far in his labors. ....
            In Morton, Tazewell Co. IL, Mr. Duncan was united in marriage with Ada L. Webb, a native of that place, and the daughter of Francis Webb, a farmer by occupation, but who is now residing in Woodland, on North street. They are the parents of two children, Howard and Stanley. Fraternally Mr. Duncan is identified ....
      Pg.1612: WYATT GODFREY DUNCAN. More than one hundred years have passed since Wyatt Duncan crossed the ocean from his native Scotland and settled in Virginia, where he took up the life of a planter in the midst of an environment of activity and enterprise characteristic of the Old Dominion in that era. After a long period of usefulness in that section of the country he eventually removed to Missouri, where he died in Callaway county at an advanced age. Next in line of descent was John I. (father of Wyatt Godfrey), who was born in Virginia April 15, 1807, and grew to manhood on the home plantation. After his marriage he settled in the western part of Virginia, but about 1833 proceeded still further west and identified himself with the pioneers of Callaway Co. MO, where he followed farming and stock-raising. After a few years he removed to Vigo Co. IN, and settled on a rented farm, but, not satisfied with prospects there, he returned to Missouri, where he bought a large tract of land in Barry county. .... His death occurred January 18, 1876, when he was almost sixty-nine years of age.
            On the maternal side Wyatt G. Duncan traces his lineage to Godfrey Toler, .... His daughter, Margaret, was born in Virginia, accompanied the family to Indiana, thence went to Missouri, and there died August 18, 1849. .... Among the children born of her marriage to Judge John I. Duncan, was a son, Wyatt Godfrey, whose birth occurred in Amherst Co. VA, October 1, 1829, and who accompanied his parents in their removal westward. Not long after the death of his mother he started out in the world for himself. April 24, 1850, in company with a brother, William, he started for the Pacific coast. (See 1913 History; almost word for word) ....
 

"Yolo Co. (CA) From Then Till Now" organized by Eleanor K. Bandy, Yolo Co. Superintendent of Schools, as a teaching aid, no date (Yolo Co. Public Library, Woodland, CA)
      LANGVILLE. The little town of Langville, a hamlet between the hills, rested at the entrance of "Barley-de-he," the Indian garden of Eden ... In 1857, the firm of Empyre and Munch erected a two-story building ... James McHenry came in 1874 and started in September a line of stages between Woodland and the young town. On the 31st of December of that year, just upon the threshold of a change from the new to the old, the town plat was filed for record, and Langville was first known among her sister villages on the first morning of the new year 1875. H.C. Duncan became the proprietor of a stage line in 1874, that was extended, first to the Quicksilver Mine in 1874 and again to Lower Lake, in Lake County, in July, 1879, making a total length of sixty-five miles of staging, views rarely surpassed for scenic grandeur. The town of Langville then consisted of about twenty-five dwelling houses, two hotels, ... two livery stables, one harness shop, a hall, post office, and school house. (MAD: later name changed to Capay.)
 

1885 "History of McDonough County, Illinois : together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history, portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of the representative citizens" by Continental Historical Co. (FHL book 977.342 H2h and film 1,000,503 item 2)
      Pg.90: Russell Duncan, was also a settler of 1830. ... With him came his brother Charles Duncan, who was a single man. He made his home sometime with his brother, but moved to Hancock (sic) county. Later he came back, but afterwards, during the time of the rush to California, he fell in with the tide of emigration, and moved to that Eldorado of the west, where he now resides. (MAD: Yolo Co. CA)
      Pg.860: Blandinsville Township: Russell Duncan also came in 1830. Charles Duncan came about the same time. As he was a single man, he took up a claim with his brother, Russell, with whom he lived until his father came to the township. He afterward removed to Hancock county, but did not remain there a great while, returning to this township. He subsequently removed to California, where he now resides.
 

Return to the Yolo Co. CA Research File
 

END

Return to Index to Duncan Research Files in California

Return to The Genealogy Bug's Home Page