Duncans in Cook Co. IL Histories

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Duncan research files of
Mary Ann (Duncan) Dobson
the Genealogy Bug

Last revised November 23, 2007

COOK CO. IL
HISTORIES before 1923
 

1891 "A classic town : the story of Evanston" (Cook Co. IL) by Frances Elizabeth Willard; pub. Chicago: Woman's Temperance Pub. Association (LH10272, HeritageQuest images 4/2007)
      Pg.94: An independent church was formed, and the Rev. James B. Duncan, of the Canada Presbyterian persuasion, was invited to become its pastor ... he accepted the call and began his labors in July, 1866.
 

1908 "Historical review of Chicago and Cook County and selected biography" by Arba N. Waterman; pub. Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co. (LH5026, HeritageQuest images 4/2007; FHL book 977.31 D3w v.1&2 (no v.3) and film 934,976 items 2-4)
      Pg.1123-1124: James Crighton. The Crighton family has long enjoyed a close and leading connection with the grain trade of Chicago ... James Crighton is a native of Longforgan, Perthshire, Scotland, born in March, 1851, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Duncan) Crighton. He obtained his education in the public schools of his native place previous to coming to Chicago in 1867, and in 1877 he became an employe in the grain commission house of Low Brothers & Co. ....
 

1905 "Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Cook Co." by Carter H. Harrison; pub. Chicago: Munsell Pub. Co. (LH5018, HeritageQuest images 4/2007; FHL book 977.31 H2c v.1&2 and fiche 6,050,914 and 6,050,915)
      Vol.2, Pg.852: FRANK LINAEUS CHURCH was born in Chicago, Ill., June 9, 1842, a son of William L. and Roxanna Jones (Pike) Church, ... On September 15, 1864, Mr. Church was married at Lancaster, Ohio, to Alice G. Duncan, and four children were born to them, as follows: Frank L., William L., D. Duncan and Al C. After the death of his wife he was married at Milwaukee, Wis., August 4, 1885, to Quintia L. Smith. Mr. Church is engaged in the real estate abstract business. (MAD: Lancaster, Fairfield Co. OH)
 

c1916 "Herringshaw's city blue book of biography : Chicagoans of 1916 : ten thousand biographies" (Cook Co. IL) (anonymous); pub. Chicago: C.J. Herringshaw (LH10595, HeritageQuest images 4/4/2007) (MAD: not Herringshaw's 1915, cataloged as FHL book 977.311 D3h)
      Pg.132: Duncan, J.S., Manufacturer of 901 West Van Buren Street, was born in Pennsylvania. He is the inventor of a new method for the manufacture of rubber type and special machinery; and is now President of the Addressograph Company. (MAD: Joseph S. Duncan b.1858 PA, wife Adelaide V. b.1863 OH, indexed Chicago Ward 3 in 1910 census index; Joseph C. Duncan b.1858 PA, wife Adelaide b.1863 OH, indexed Chicago Ward 12 in 1900 census index)
      Duncan, Warren W., Jurist of 155 North Clark Street. He is Judge of the Appellate Court.
      Duncan, William Edward, Physician and Surgeon of 111 West Monroe Street, was born April 22, 1852, in North Clove, N.Y. Since 1882 he has been engaged in the practice of medicine in Chicago. (MAD: ? 1860 Dutchess Co. NY)
 

1914 "Past and present of O'Brien and Osceola Counties, Iowa" by J.L.E. Peck; pub. Indianapolis, Ind.: B.F. Bowen & Co. (LH9018, HeritageQuest images 4/2007; FHL book 977.71 H2p v.1&2 and film 934,957)
      Pg.968-969: OLE F. OLSON. ... business man of Hartley, O'Brien county, Iowa, ... born November 22, 1871, in Albert Lea, Minnesota, and is the son of Theo and Mary (Helle) Olson, both of whom were born in Norway ... In 1894, he (Ole F. Olson) when only 23 years of age, came to Oelwein, Iowa ... in 1905 he sold out and moved to Hartley ... Mr. Olson was married January 15, 1900, in Chicago, to Clara Duncan and to this union have been born two children, Thelma and Teddy, both of whom are still with their parents. ...
 

1916 "Past and Present of Adams County, Nebraska" by William R. Burton, pub. by S.J. Clarke, 2 vols. (FHL film 1,000,183 items 3-4, books 20-21)
      Vol.II, pgs.112-116. JOHN P. DUNCAN. John P. Duncan has resided in Roseland since 1887 and has had a part in the business development of the town. For a number of years he was engaged in the grain, coal and live-stock business but is now living retired. His birth occurred in Elgin [Kane Co.], Illinois, on the 14th of September, 1845, and his parents were Patrick William and Bridget (Kingsley) Duncan, the former born in County Monaghan, Ireland, and the latter in County Wexford. They were married, however, in the vicinity of Hartford, Connecticut, about 1843 and in the following year removed to Chicago [Cook Co.], whence they went to Elgin, Illinois. The father, who was a stonemason, worked on the construction of the Illinois Central Railroad and after leaving the employ of that corporation continued to follow his trade for some time. He also farmed near Elgin for a few years but later went to Savanna [Carroll Co.], Illinois, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits and also worked as a stonemason. In 1870 he decided to try his fortune still farther west and came to Adams county, Nebraska, homesteading on section 14, Silver Lake township. That place remained his home until 1879, when he took up his residence in Roseland, where he died about 1900 and where he is buried. He was a man of marked public spirit and held the esteem of his fellow citizens in full measure. He lost his first wife when their only child, our subject, was but six months old and subsequently he married Ellen McGrath, by whom he had the following children: William F., a resident of Roseland; James, of Thorp, Washington; Eugene, Julia, Mary and Kate, all of whom are deceased; Anna, the wife of Lee Arnold, of Roseland township; and Ella Bovard, who lives at Ayr, Nebraska.
      John P. Duncan was educated in the common schools of Illinois and through assisting his father gained much valuable knowledge of farming. In 1870, when about twenty-five years of age, he came to this county and took up a homestead on section 10, Silver Lake township. His first residence here was a shanty built of palings, and his farm equipment was very primitive. But he was determined to succeed and by dint of much hard work and careful planning he gained a start and from that time on his resources increased steadily. He engaged in farming until 1887 and during that time brought his place to a high state of development. In October of that year he built a residence in Roseland, the second house to be erected there, and he has since resided in the town. About 1888 he and his brother William built an elevator in Roseland and for a number of years he was one of the leading grain, coal and live-stock dealers of the locality. The enterprise and sound judgment which enabled him to succeed as a farmer were again demonstrated in the conduct of his business interests in Roseland and he gained a gratifying measure of prosperity. He is now living retired and is enjoying a leisure which his former labor has made possible.
      Mr. Duncan was married when twenty-eight years of age to Miss Anne Dempsey, who passed away leaving a daughter, Bridget Frances. In 1881 Mr. Duncan was again married, Miss Bridget Loughran becoming his wife. To them were born seven children, namely: Stephen P., a druggist of Blue Hill, Nebraska; Mary Ellen, the wife of Frank J. Roth, of Roseland; Annie F., who is a stenographer in the employ of the Peters Trust Company of Omaha; John W., a practicing physician of Omaha; Sarah, at home; James, attending the State University; and Kathleen, deceased.
      Mr. Duncan is a democrat in politics and served as supervisor for a number of years. He and his family are members of the Assumption Catholic church and observe its teachings in their lives. Fraternally he is associated with the Workmen lodge at Roseland. He is acquainted with practically the entire history of the county as it was but sparsely settled when he arrived here in 1870, and in the fall of 1871 he planted what was probably the first fall wheat sown in the county. While so occupied the Indians stole a horse and it was not until the following April that he recovered it. This incident is of interest as it indicates the annoyances to which the early settlers were subjected by the red men and there were also many other unpleasant features of pioneer life, but Mr. Duncan had faith in the future of the county and lived to see that faith amply justified.
 

1906 "History of La Salle County, Illinois" by U.J. Hoffman; pub. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Pub. Co. (LH5450, HeritageQuest images 4/2007; FHL film 825,502 and 934,997 item 3)
      "Running title: Past and present of La Salle County"
      Pg.712,715: THOMAS LARKIN, farmer of Eagle Township, living on Section 28, ... cultivation from 1862 until about 1903 when he retired ... Born County Galway, Ireland, in 1828, and came with his father to America in 1849, ... to La Salle county in 1862. ... Mr. Larkin married Miss Delia Conness in Eagle township in 1863 ... The home of Mr. and Mrs. Larkin has been blessed with ten children, all of whom were born in La Salle county, and six are yet living. ... Four children of the family have departed this life, one of whom was John J. Larkin, D.D.S., who died three years ago in La Salle, where he was practicing dentistry. He was a graduate of the dental department of the Northwestern University, and he left a widow, who was the daughter of Hon. J.W. Duncan, of Chicago, and he had a child by that marriage. ... (MAD: Chicago, Cook Co. IL)
      Pg.1011-1012: JAMES WALTER DUNCAN. James W. Duncan, whose intense and well directed energy was manifest in his practice as a member of the Illinois bar, and who had to the time of his death a distinctively representative clientage in Chicago, where he made his home, was a native son of La Salle county, his birth having occurred in the city of La Salle on the 18th of January, 1849. His parents were Nicholas and Isabella (McBoyle) Duncan, the former a native of County Mayo, Ireland, and the latter of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The father was a contractor and thus became closely identified with industrial interests in La Salle. He also served as mayor of that city for years and his civic virtue and his intelligent and honest administration made him a valued official.
            In his boyhood days James W. Duncan attended the public schools of La Salle through the winter seasons and largely devoted the summer months to farming his father's lands. He also attended the Christian Brothers College and in 1867 entered Niagara University,... graduation in June, 1870. The same year he entered upon the study of law in the office of E. Follett Bull, at La Salle, and the following year was admitted to the bar. He then formed a partnership with Harman D. Follett, under the firm name of Follett & Duncan, which firm continued at La Salle as successors of Mr. Bull, who had removed to Ottawa. After about a year, however, Mr. Follett was compelled by failing health to seek another climate and Mr. Duncan practiced alone until 1876, when Andrew J. O'Conor ... became a partner ... In 1882 Mr. Duncan removed to Ottawa, offices were maintained in both cities by the firm until 1888 - the year of Mr. Duncan's removal to Chicago. ... 1897, the partnership being dissolved, Mr. Duncan continued alone to the time of his death. .... In 1873 he was elected mayor of La Salle, and was twice re-elected ....
            Mr. Duncan was married in La Salle, November 25, 1872, to Miss B.M. Cody, a daughter of John and Margaret Cody. Two children were born of this marriage: Edgar V. Duncan, whose birth occurred September 14, 1873; and Isabelle M., born December 22, 1874. Mrs. James W. Duncan departed this life October 11, 1898, in Chicago, and on the 16th of July, 1901, Mr. Duncan married Mrs. M.E. Barnet. Mr. Duncan departed this life at his home in Chicago on July 21, 1906, leaving his widow and children surviving. Catholic, ... (MAD: Chicago, Cook Co. IL)
 

1891 "Portrait and biographical album of Ingham and Livingston Counties, Michigan : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies of all the governors of the state and of the presidents of the United States." (anonymous); pub. Chicago: Chapman Bros. (LH4954; HeritageQuest 5/2007; FHL film 1,000,087 item 3)
      Pg.607: HENRY G. REYNOLDS, born in Buffalo, N.Y., July 4, 1851 ... James L. Reynolds, the father of Henry G., was born in Enfield, Conn., June 7, 1811, removed from his native State to Ohio in 1833 and settled in Massillon, ... for 15 years, then Chicago, 1866 retired, died in California in 1873. ... The mother of Henry G. Reynolds bore the maiden name of Mary Green Duncan, and was born January 4, 1819, at Massillon, Ohio, of which her father, James, was the founder. He was a man of recognized ability ... still remembered in Massillon ... one of the earliest developers of the Upper Michigan mining district in the region of Negaunee. He was born in Concord, N.H., May 2, 1789, and died in Chicago, March 15, 1863. Mrs. Reynolds is still living and resides with her son at the Michigan Agricultural College. ... (MAD: Massillon, Stark Co. OH; Concord, Merrimack Co. NH; Chicago, Cook Co. IL; Lansing, Ingham Co. MI)
 

1889 "Portrait and biographical album of Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county" pub. Chicago : Acme Publishing Co. (FHL book 977.568 D3f; FHL film 1,000,813 item 1)
      Pg.625-626: DR. WILLIAM CASS DUNCAN, a practicing physician and surgeon of Oakfield, Wis., has been engaged in business in this city since 1885, and, during that time, has won a foremost place in the ranks of his professional brethren. He was born in Buffalo [Erie Co.], N.Y., on the 29th of August, 1860, and is of Scotch descent. His parents are William and Janette (Henderson) Duncan. Both were born in Scotland, and, in their native city, Glasgow, their marriage was celebrated. With a desire to better his financial condition Mr. Duncan, accompanied by his family, sailed for America in 1859, locating in Buffalo, where he made his home for three years. He was an engineer by trade, and engaged in that business until 1862, at which time he came to Wisconsin, when he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He purchased 200 acres of land near Fox Lake, Dodge County, and has since made his home upon that farm. Though previous to that time he had had no experience as a farmer, he has been very successful in that line, and is recognized as one of the enterprising citizens of the community. Few men are more widely or favorably known in Dodge County, or are held in higher regard. Politics ... supporter of the Republican party, and socially, is a member of the I.O.O.F. Mrs. Duncan, ... Presbyterian Church. Unto this worthy couple have been born eight children, four sons and four daughters, all of whom are yet living: Peter T., the eldest of the family, is now engaged in farming in Cass County, N. Dak.; Maggie E. is the wife of William Hobkirk, a farmer residing near Waupun, Wis.; Jennie F. became the wife of David Richardson, a leading merchant of Milwaukee; the Doctor is the next in order of birth; James W. is now engaged as traveling salesman with A.J. Delaney, dealer in milling supplies in Milwaukee; Ray E., Belle C. and John F. are still at home, the last named having charge of the farm.
      Our subject was reared to manhood upon his father's farm, and, in the schools of the neighborhood, received his primary education. He completed his literary studies, however, in Downer College, Fox Lake, Wis., from which he was graduated in the class of 1879, and the same year went to Chicago [Cook Co. IL], where he began the study of his profession under the direction of his cousin, Dr. T.C. Duncan, a learned physician and surgeon of that city. He remained in his office for six years, and, in the meantime, attended lectures at the Hahnemann Medical College, graduating in 1884. The following year he engaged in practice with his former preceptor, but on account of close application to his studies while preparing himself for practice, his health gave way and he decided to leave the city. He then visited Oakfield, and, on the solicitation of some of the best citizens of the village, determined to there engage in practice. He opened an office in July, 1885, and, from the beginning, his business has steadily increased in volume and importance. ... In his social relations the doctor is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and in politics is a warm advocate of the Republican party. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church ...
 

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