GIBSON CO. IN
HISTORIES before 1923
 

1914 "History of Gibson County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions" by Gil R. Stormont; pub. Indianapolis, Ind.: B.F. Bowen & Co. (LH6313, HeritageQuest images 4/2007 & 5/2007; FHL film 934,905; also from Louis Boone 9/1984)
      Pages 63, 303, 382-4 cited as Duncan references; none found these pages.
      Pg.28: THOMAS DUNCAN, attorney and counselor at law of Princeton, is one of the native sons of Gibson Co., of which she has every reason to be proud. He was born in Patoka Twp, May 5, 1860, a son of James L. and Rebecca M. (Duncan) Duncan. His father was born in Gibson Co. June 1, 1827, and now resides near Mackey, IN. Throughout life he has followed farming ... politics he is a Democrat and both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. Mrs. Duncan was born in Rush Co. IN September 1, 1837, and by her marriage became the mother of 11 children, of whom four are now deceased. The paternal grandparents were Joshua and Sarah (Logan) Duncan. When very young the grandfather served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and as a life work he followed agricultural pursuits. On the home farm Thomas Duncan was reared to manhood. His elementary education ... At the age of 18 he began teaching ... took up the study of law, was admitted to the bar in Feb. 1889, and has since engaged in practice. ... Mr. Duncan was married in 1884 to Lida M. Wise, of Frankfort, IN. They have four children: Leila, Prentiss, Denver and Ruth. ...
      Pg.80,84: Joshua Duncan a member of a board in March 1835 (MAD: not copied further)
      Pg.138: W.B. DUNCAN, M.D., a practicing physician of Patoka, was born in Pike Co. IN, January 20, 1851, a son of John J. and Harriet Duncan. The former was born in 1823, and was a son of Shadrack Duncan, whose father emigrated from Scotland to America. The maternal grandfather's name was Routt. John Duncan died in 1889 and his wife many years previous. Their children were Dr. W.B.; Mary, wife of Jacob McAtee; Ellen B., wife of Melvin Colt; and Eckless, who married Anson Jerauld. After the death of his first wife, John Duncan wedded Rillo Woods, by whom he had four children - Obie, Joseph, Mabel and Hattie. Dr. Duncan spent his boyhood on his father's farm and after attaining his majority ... In 1885 he came to Patoka, ... In Greene Co. IN, Dr. Duncan was united in marriage to Allie M. Buckner, a dau. of Edward Buckner, a merchant. They have three children -- Belle, Frank and Edith, ...
      Pg.204-208: Military History of Gibson Co. Indian War of 1811 - Battle of Tippecanoe. On November 7, 1811, the battle of Tippecanoe was fought, ... The army under General Harrison engaged in this battle numbered about 800, composed of the 4th US Regulars, with a body of militia and 130 volunteer dragoons composed of the pioneers of the West who had enlisted in the service. Of this number, 180 were killed or wounded in action; 35 were killed on the field and 25 of the wounded afterward died. ... There were 3 companies from the territory now comprising Gibson Co. engaged in this battle. These companies were commanded respectively by Capt. Jacob Warrick, David Robb and William Hargrove. (list of men in these companies, no Duncan found) ... Other prominent citizens of Gibson county who bore a conspicuous part in that war were ... Col. Joshua Duncan ....
      Pg.141: It is believed that the second school taught in Gibson county was by Joseph Duncan, an Eastern man who was better educated than the average man of this section. He taught school here in 1808 in an old log cabin, situated at the spring in the southeast corner of Section 2, a half mile west and north of where now Owensville stands.
      Pg.218: Eightieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. ... Company A, ... second lieutenant, William M. Duncan. (and other references to William M. Duncan)
      Pg.520-524: ALBERT MILLS ... born 5 miles east of Princeton, Gibson Co. IN, on May 5, 1843, son of Durston and Louisa (Stapleton) Mills. Durston Mills was born on June 5, 1804, in Kennebec county, Maine, and was married December 16, 1827, to Louisa Stapleton, who was born on April 28, 1808, in Robinson (MAD: sic) county, Tennessee. ... James Mills (father of Durston Mills) and his wife [came] from Maine to Evansville, Indiana, in 1811. ... The subject of this sketch .. On September 20, 1865, Mr. Mills married Polly Ann Yeager, who was born in Center township, Gibson county, Indiana, the daughter of J.V. and Polly Duncan Yeager. These parents, who were both born and reared in Virginia, came in an early day to Gibson county, Indiana, settling in Center township. Mrs. Mills' paternal grandfather, Daniel Yeager, settled near Owensville, Indiana, where he successfully conducted a farm. ... He was three times married, his second marriage being with Catherine Taylor, and his third wife was Mrs. Elizabeth (Johnson) McCleary, the widow of Willis McCleary. To J.V. Yeager's first marriage were born the following children: Nancy, the widow of Chesterfield Woolsey ..., Chatty, who became the wife of Samuel Mauck; Greenberry was a soldier in the Civil war, ...
      Pg.350-351: As has already been observed, TN furnished many of the early settlers in Johnson township. Among others from that state was Joshua Duncan in 1821. He had, however, when a boy, moved with his parents to KY and thence to IN. At Evansville [Vanderburgh Co.] he became acquainted with Sarah L. Logan and they were married in 1821 at old Stringtown, which hamlet is now embraced within the limits of the city of Evansville. Soon after their marriage Mr. Duncan and his young bride moved to Gibson county and settled in the dense forest about 3 miles southwest of Fort Branch and by toil and industry cleared a small patch of ground and by the aid of his neighbors raised a log cabin. It was made of round logs and with a mud-and-stick chimney. Mrs. Duncan says that during the first two years they lived on hominy, corn meal and game. ... The wife of Mr. Duncan was a native of North Carolina. They had born to them ten children. Mr. Duncan became a prosperous, rich farmer and for many years was a justice of the peace. A few years after coming here he built a two-story house which was the best in his section of the county. ... He also had a large barn and Esquire Duncan's place was regarded as among the finest in Johnson township. He died in 1861. His widow survived him and later resided at Princeton with a daughter.
            Lewis Duncan and family were also early settlers. He was a brother of the above and was a member of the Baptist church and occasionally preached at the settlers' houses. Mrs. Lyda Duncan, a widow, and her family moved here and located on a timber land tract about 5 miles west of Haubstadt in 1818. She was a noted midwife of that section and was frequently called to minister to the afflicted for miles around. She was an excellent horsewoman and on her trips generally rode a fleet and powerful stable horse and while on her missions of mercy to the sick, whether it be night or day, always carried with her a loaded pistol. ...
      Pg.909-910: MARYFIELD M. COLEMAN ... born March 8, 1845, in Monroe township, Pike Co. Indiana, son of Conrad and Nellie Coleman. ... (more on Conrad Coleman). Maryfield M. Coleman ... on April 5, 1866, married Catherine Nossett, of Columbia township, Gibson county, a daughter of William Nossett, of Columbia township, Gibson county. To Mr. Coleman by his first marriage were born five children, the eldest being Warrick, druggist and trustee, at Winslow, Indiana; Lucy, the wife of George Duncan, of Pike county, Indiana; Edgar, who is a breeder of fine cattle and jacks, at Muren, Indiana ... the fourth child is Millard, who is in the livery business at Oakland City ... the fifth child was Ada, who died when sixteen years of age. Catherine Nossett Coleman died July 25, 1890, and he married for the second time on July 30, 1901, to Catherine Martin, of Pike county ....
 

1884 "History of Gibson Co. IN" pub. by Tartt & Co. (FHL book Q977.235 H2g and film 928,280 item 3, SLC 9/2007)
      Pg.223: Tennessee, as the reader has already observed, furnished many of the pioneers of Johnson Township, and in the year 1821 another was added from that state in the person of Joshua Duncan. He had, however, when a boy, moved with his parents to Kentucky and thence to Indiana. At Evansville he became acquainted with Sarah L. Logan, and they were married in 1821, at old Stringtown, which hamlet is now embraced within the limits of the city of Evansville. Soon after their marriage Mr. Duncan and his young bride moved to Gibson County and settled in the dense timber about three miles southwest of Fort Branch, and by toil and industry cleared a small piece of ground, and by the assistance of some of his neighbors raised a log cabin. It was made of round logs, and with a mud and stick chimney; Mrs. Duncan says that the first two years they lived on hominy, corn meal and game. ... The wife of Mr. Duncan was a native of North Carolina. They had born to them ten children, seven of whom are living, and five now residents of Gibson County. Mr. Duncan became a prosperous and well-to-do farmer and was for many years a justice of the peace. A few years after coming here he built a two-story log house, which was the best house in the neighborhood. ... He had also a large barn, and Esquire Duncan's place was regarded as among the finest in the township. He died in 1861. His widow survives him and now resides with their eldest daughter in Princeton.
            Lewis Duncan and his family were early residents. He was a brother of Joshua Duncan and was a member of the Baptist Church and occasionally preached at the houses of the settlers. Mrs. Lyda Duncan, a widow, and her family, moved here and settled on a piece of timber land about five miles west of Haubstadt, in 1818. She was quite a noted mid-wife of that neighborhood, and was frequently called to minister to the afflicted for miles around. ...
      Pg.233: Partial list of Patrons, City of Princeton: Duncan, Wm. M., Deputy County Auditor, born Dauphin Co. PA, settled in county 1840.
            (Pg.234) Duncan, Sarah E., wife of J.D.S., born Gibson Co. IN, settled in county 1837.
      Pg.236: Township 1S, Range 9&10: Duncan, John J., P.O. Patoka, Sec.20, farmer & stock raiser, born Alabama, settled in county 1830.
      Pg.238: Township 2S, Range 8&9: Duncan, Robt. C., P.O. Oakland City, res. Oakland, merchant, b. Gibson Co. IN, settled in county 1859.
      Pg.240: Township 1S, Range 11: Duncan, Margaret, P.O. Princeton, res. Sec.36, wife of R.M., born Scotland, settled in county 1836.
 

1916 "Courts and Lawyers of Indiana" by Leander J. Monks, pub. by Federal Pub. Co. (IN State Library book 347.09 M745c V.3; from C.T. Duncan 12/2007)
      Vol.3, pg.1197-1198: THOMAS DUNCAN. Thomas Duncan, chairman of the Indiana Public Service Commission, was born on a farm in Gibson county, Indiana, May 5, 1860, son of James L. and Rebecca (Duncan) Duncan, both natives of Indiana and of Scottish descent. He was reared on the farm and his common school course was completed in the high school at Ft. Branch, after which, at the age of eighteen, he began teaching school, and taught four terms of district school. At the age of twenty-two he entered the Central Normal School at Danville, from which he was graduated in 1884, with the degree of Master of Arts. He then resumed teaching and for five years was thus engaged, three years as principal of the high school at Francisco. In the meantime he had been studying law and after a three months' technical schooling under the preceptorship of J.E. McCullough, he was admitted to the bar of the Gibson Circuit court in March, 1889. He opened an office in Princeton, and in that same year was appointed deputy prosecuting attorney for Gibson county, serving two years. He early began taking an active part in political affairs, and in 1890 was elected secretary of the Democratic county committee. In 1892 he was elected presidential elector from the Second congressional district. His chairmanship extended through 1894. In 1896 he was the Democratic nominee for Congress in the Second District, and he was renominated in 1898, being defeated both times by James A. Hemenway. He continued in active politics until he was appointed by Gov. Ralston to Chairmanship of the Indiana Public Service Commission, effective 1 May 1913, for four years, since which time he has maintained his home in Indianapolis [MAD: Marion Co. IN]. He was married 21 Dec 1884 to Lida M. Wise of Frankfort, Indiana. They had five children: Leila, born 6 May 1886, is a music teacher at Oakland, California High School; James Prentiss, born 9 Jan 1889, student at University of Northwestern; Thomas Denver, born 28 Dec 1890, died 5 Jan 1905; Ruth, born 16 July 1894, student at Butler University; Frederick, born 4 Sep 1904; Esther May, born 22 Feb 1907. Mr. Duncan is a Mason, a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and of the Modern Woodmen.
 

1881 "An atlas of Gibson and Pike counties, Ind." from actual surveys under the direction of B.N. Griffing, pub. by D.J. Lake (SUTRO microfilm 277 reel 50 book 181, CA State Library, Sutro Branch; and FHL film 812,503 item 6, from June Ricketts 1/1986 with permission to share)
      Pg.12: List of Patrons, Gibson Co., Patoka Township: Duncan, Wm., P.O. Princeton, carpenter, born Gibson Co. IN, settled Gibson Co. IN 1837. (had ad in Atlas: Carpenter, Contractor & Builder; shop on Mill Street)
 

1912 "Historical Encyclopedia of IL & History of Sangamon Co." 2 vols., by Newton Bateman & Paul Selby; pub. by Munsell Pub. Co. (SUTRO film 292 reel 1-2, 76 book 1, 286; CA State Library, Sutro Branch)
      Pg.1192-3: DUNCAN, Milton - .... Milton Duncan, a well-known and highly esteemed citizen of Springfield, spent many years in farming and then retired from farm work. He was born on a farm in Gibson County, Ind., in 1848, a son of Josiah and Caroline (Farriss) Duncan, farming people and natives of Pennsylvania and Indiana, respectively.
            The educational advantages of Milton Duncan were secured in the country schools of Gibson County, and his youth was spent on his father's farm, ... On reaching his majority he secured a farm of his own and operated it until 1885, when he brought his family to Springfield, ....
            On November 10, 1871, near Oakland City, Ind., Mr. Duncan was united in marriage with Mary Richardson, daughter of George W. and Joanna (May) Richardson, the former of whom came from North Carolina and settled on a farm near Princeton, Ind.
            Mrs. Duncan has two children living: L.G., of Riverton, and Mrs. Lillie Todd, a widow, residing at No. 1912 East Edwards Street, Springfield. Mrs. Todd has two children, Arthur and May. L.G. Duncan is a carpenter and contractor at Riverton, and has one child, a daughter Chloe.
 

1887/8 "History of West TN; History of Lauderdale, Tipton, Haywood and Crockett Cos." by Goodspeed (FHL film 899,867; and from Evelyn Sigler 11/1983)
      Pg.892-3, Tipton Co.: Mrs. M.D. Campbell, a resident of Covington, TN, was born at Evansville, [Vanderburg Co.] IN, and was the daughter of T.J. and Rachel (Robinson) Duncan. The father was of Scotch origin, born and reared in GA, his birth occurring in 1805. He resided a short time in AL, and at the age of 16 moved to IN and spent the rest of his life. He was a farmer, and died May 16, 1849. The mother was born near Knoxville, TN, in 1808 and died Oct. 25, 1846. From 1862 to 1865 Mrs. Campbell was in the employ of the medical purveyor's department at Richmond, Va., and while there was well acquainted with many of the Confederate Government officials. November 6, 1873, she married Thomas J. McGuire. He was born in Mayo Co. Ireland, April 23, 1827, and came to America when 4 years old. He lived in Philadelphia until 1856, then located at Cincinnati. He served in the Federal Army four years; then moved to Memphis in 1866 and was inspector of the gas company until 1876, when he was appointed to a place on the police force. He died of yellow fever Sept. 10, 1879. April 20, 1880, our subject married John H. Campbell, who is a native of Cincinnati, OH, born Feb. 22, 1848. In 1874 Mr. Campbell located at Memphis and served for 2 years as deputy sheriff, and for a time was on the police force. In 1885 they moved to Covington, where he is engaged in the saloon business, and Mrs. Campbell is keeping a hotel, making a most kind and attentive hostess. (MAD: Thos. Duncan mar. Rachel Robinson 5/19/1823 Gibson Co. IN)
 

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