Duncans in Kalamazoo Co. MI Histories

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

Last revised August 8, 2008

KALAMAZOO CO. MI

HISTORIES before 1923
 

1892 "Portrait and Biographical Record of Kalamazoo, Allegan and Van Buren Cos. MI" by Chapman Bros. (book R977.4 P853; Los Angeles Public Library; from reference in name index card file)
      Pg.267: WILLIAM MOTTRAM, M.D. ... born in the State of New York, January 30, 1810, and passed from this life at his home in Kalamazoo, July 2, 1891. .... The Doctor was married January 20, 1835, at Schoolcraft, this State, to Miss Gillian Marguerite, daughter of George E. and Ruth (Duncan) Lloyd, natives of Virginia, where they were among the first families. An aunt of Mrs. Mottram, on her father's side, lived to be over one hundred years old. One of the Lloyds became United States Senator. Mrs. Mottram came to Schoolcraft, this State, as early as 1832, one of a party of thirty-six, only two of whom are living at the present time, namely: Mrs. Mottram and her sister, Mrs. D.G. Kendall, who is at present residing in San Antonio, Tex. .... (MAD: see Loudoun Co. VA)
 

1880 "History of Kalamazoo County, Michigan : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers." by Samuel W. Durant, pub. Philadelphia: Everts & Abbott (pg.305, 530, and 452 from Louis Boone 3/1985; HeritageQuest image 2/2007, Local History Reel/Fiche Number 4959; FHL book 977.417 H2d and film 908,703 item 2)
      Pg.305: Town of Brady. Duncan, Delamore, Dec. 16, 1830; Dunkin, Joshua B., Feb. 17, 1833 ... These were nearly all in the towns now comprising Schoolcraft and Prairie Ronde. (MAD: list of taxpayers or land purchasers?)
            The following is a list of the tax-payers in the township of Brady, with property assessed, in 1837, including also what are now Schoolcraft, Wakeshma, and Texas. ... Dunkin, Joshua B., 160 acres unimproved, 16 head of stock.
      Pg.503: Land Entries, Township of Schoolcraft. Township 4 S, Range 11 West:
            Section 10 - 1831, William Duncan; 1832, Delamore Duncan.
            Section 11 - 1840, Joshua B. Dunkin and George E. Lloyd.
      Pg.444-445, Township of Prairie Ronde: Delamore Duncan, a native of New Hampshire, visited Michigan in 1825, and stopped from six to nine months at Dexter, Washtenaw Co. He then returned East as far as probably Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, where he stayed about a year, and then went to Vermont, remaining some two years. In March, 1829, he came to Prairie Ronde and making a claim, returned to Huron Co., Ohio, and "took unto himself a wife," and in October of that year came back to Michigan, with his father, leaving his wife behind. The family of his father accompanied them. A log house was built on the bank of Rocky Creek, about one hundred yards west of the present residence of Charles C. Duncan : the place occupied by the latter is the old Delamore Duncan homestead, and is now the property of his widow. William Duncan had made his claim in April, 1829, the next month after his son's choice was made, and, remaining upon it through the summer, returned for his family and brought them back in October as stated. Delamore Duncan's wife followed in January, 1830, in company with her father, Joel Clark, who drove through with a horse-team. The Duncans came with an ox-team, driving their stock and camping out by night. When they arrived, Col. Fellows had his house up and partly finished, and they stayed with him until they had built for themselves. William Duncan, whose farm was situated next north of his son's, went at an early day to Iowa and built and operated a saw-mill and a grist-mill near Des Moines. He finally returned to Michigan, and continued to reside here until his death, which occurred about 1850. In the spring of 1836 he had, in company with his son, built a saw-mill on the latter's place, which is yet standing, though greatly improved and extensively repaired. They had previously built a saw-mill on the Paw Paw at Watervliet, in the edge of Berrien County. Delamore Duncan and Timothy Fellows were afterwards interested in another saw-mill, north of one previously mentioned in Prairie Ronde. Delamore Duncan held numerous offices in the township, and was the first sheriff of Kalamazoo County. His widow remarks that "her house was the first jail in the county and she was the jailer," that being on the occasion of the first justice court, held in October, 1831. Mr. Duncan died April 30, 1870, aged sixty-five years. His father, William Duncan, was a Territorial justice of the peace, and held court as far away as Gull Prairie. He was also the first clerk for the county of Kalamazoo, his commission being dated Aug. 17, 1830, and signed by "Lew. Cass," Governor.
            The following is some of the evidence presented at a suit before William Duncan, Esq., the parties to the suit being George Brown and John C. Carpenter: "Territory of Michigan, Kalamazoo County, SS. The evidence given on oath and in the presence of George Brown by the several witnesses before William Duncan, Justice of the Peace, ... 4 May 1832, ... (MAD: more not copied here)
            It has been previously stated that when Mrs. Delamore Duncan came to Prairie Ronde, in January, 1830, her father, Joel Clark, accompanied her. The farm of Mr. Clark was located on section 2. His son, Justin Clark, had preceded him to the township in August, 1829, and was living with the Duncans at the time of his father's arrival. Mr. Clark and the son named are now both deceased; two other sons, Edwin and Philo D., are residents of the town. (MAD: footnote on the Clark family, not copied here)
            In the spring of 1830, Delamore Duncan built on his place a frame barn, and, notwithstanding the expressed fears of many that the "raising" could not be accomplished without the aid of liquor, which was the plan contemplated, the work was successfully carried to completion, and not a drop of liquor was used. This barn was the first frame structure erected in the township of Prairie Ronde or the county of Kalamazoo. The timbers for the frame ... The barn built by Mr. Duncan is yet standing. ...
      Pg.452: William Duncan. The Duncan family, as the name indicates, was originally from Scotland, but some of its members settled in the north of Ireland, and from them are descended the Duncans of Kalamazoo Co. George Duncan, the father of William, emigrated from Londonderry, Ireland, to America in 1742, when his son William was twelve years of age, and settled in Londonderry, NH, which place has been named in honor of the famous old Irish city.
             A second son, John Duncan, was born in Londonderry, NH, on 29 March 1752. John married Margaret Dickey, Feb. 5, 1778, and to them was born, at Acworth, NH, on 14 Oct. 1778, William Duncan, the subject of this memoir.
            William remained with his father until he was 26 years of age, when he married Ruth Coffran Gilmore, in Feb. 1805. To this couple were born the following children: Delamore, Nov. 24, 1805; John Gilmore, July 14, 1807; Corina Jane, April 5, 1811; Eliza Ann, Oct. 19, 1814; William Jr., June 3, 1818.
            In 1805 the family removed from Acworth to Lyman, NH, where Mr. Duncan became a prominent citizen. He was a justice of the peace for several years, and on 20 July 1810 was commissioned captain in the 10th company of the 32d Regiment, State militia, by Governor John Langdon. He soon after removed to Monroe, in the same State, where he ... until 1821, when the death of his wife broke up the family. In 1822, leaving his children with his father and brothers, he went into the lumbering business on the CT River, until 1824, when he removed to Syracuse, NY ... in April, 1825, in company with his son Delamore, who had joined him, he started for the Territory of Michigan ... to Dexter, in Washtenaw Co., on 3 May, ... until 3 Sept. following, when his son went to Brecksville, Cuyahoga Co. OH. In May, 1826, Mr. Duncan also proceeded to Brecksville ... In March, 1827, he went to Lyme, Huron Co. OH, where he purchased a farm ... On 1 Jan. 1828 he married Mrs. Lydia Wood, a widow, and on 1 April 1829 sold his farm and proceeded once more to Michigan. ... returned to OH; 5 Oct. 1829 left OH with his family, consisting of wife, two sons Delamore and William, daughter Eliza Ann, and stepdau. Lydia Wood, and returned to Prairie Ronde. ....
            In April, 1830, in Brady Twp, then part of St. Joseph Co., included present county of Kalamazoo, William Duncan elected to offices of supervisor and justice of peace. ... On 17 May following, following names sent to the Governor of the Territory for appointment to respective offices ... for Clerk, William Duncan; for Sheriff, Delamore Duncan. ...
            Pg.452-453: Mr. Duncan's name appears on the record but a short time; as it is believed that when the county-seat was located by the commissioners at Bronson (now Kalamazoo), in February, 1831, he declined to further serve. He, however, continued to serve as a justice of the peace, holding court in his log cabin.
            In April, 1830, he and his son Delamore erected the first frame building in the county. It was a granary, and in dimensions 20 by 24 feet. In this building were held, during 1830, several justice courts.
            On the 3d of September, 1833, occurred the death of his second wife. After this sad event he moved in with his son Delamore's family, where he remained until the spring of 1835 ... Mr. Duncan's health becoming seriously impaired, he determined upon a change, and selling his property, in March, 1837, he removed to Des Moines, Iowa, where he built a grist-mill on the Des Moines River, across which he constructed a stone dam. On the 30th of November, 1837, he married a third wife, Miss Sarah Jones. He continued the milling business until the autumn of 1844, when he exchanged his Iowa property for lands in Cass Co., Mich., upon which he removed and improved a fine farm. Politically he was originally a Whig, but upon the formation of the Free-Soil party became one of its active members. ... His death occurred on the 19th day of November, 1852.
      Pg.453-454: DELAMORE DUNCAN. This gentleman was the eldest son of the preceding, and born Nov. 24, 1805, at Lyman [Grafton Co.], N.H. At Monroe, to which place his father removed in 1810, he attended the common school, of which his father was teacher, until 1815. After his father's purchase of the wool-carding and cloth-dressing mill, he worked in the mill during the summer and attended school in the winter months. His mother died when he was sixteen years of age, and in the following year, his father giving up housekeeping, he went to live with his grandfather at Acworth [Sullivan Co. NH], where he worked on the farm and acted as secretary to his grandfather.
            In April, 1825, with his effects in a knapsack strapped upon his back, he took his way over the Green Mountains through the snow on foot, ... but ... took passage in the stage-coach, and soon after joined his father in Syracuse [Onondaga Co.], N.Y., whither he had preceded his son. From thence he accompanied his parent to Michigan, and as stated in the preceding biography, assisted him in building a mill-dam at Dexter, Washtenaw Co. On the 3d of September, 1825, he left his father at Dexter and proceeded to Brecksville, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, where he engaged in cutting stone for locks on the Ohio canal. Here he remained until the autumn of 1826, when, his health failing, he returned to his grandfather's in New Hampshire, where he continued until the spring of 1827, at which time he removed to McIndoes Falls, Caledonia Co., Vt., and engaged in lumbering until the fall of 1828, when, in company with his brother William and sister Eliza Ann, he journeyed to Lyme, Huron Co. OH, to which place his father had removed and purchased a farm.
            At that place he taught school until Feb. 1829, when, in company with Elisha Doane, he once more started for Michigan, ... in March they reached Prairie Ronde, where Mr. Duncan selected his land and chose the site of his future home. Leving his stock with a Mr. Wilmarth, he returned to Ohio, reaching Lyme on the 1st of April. From there he shortly after went to Dayton ... until August, when he returned to Lyme, where, on the 8th of September, 1829, he married Miss Parmela Clark. This union ... happy one ... She united with the Baptist Church in early life and has ever since been an earnest and consistent Christian and faithful member. Mrs. Duncan was born in the town of Johnson, Lamoille Co., VT, August 18, 1811.
            To this union were born nine children, as follows: Cordelia Ann, William Gilmore, Granville Joel, Jane Coffran, Delamore, Jr., Delia Parmela, Edwin Freeman, Charles Clark, and Helen Marian, of whom four are living, to wit: Delamore, Jr., Edwin F., Charles C., and Helen Marian. The others died in childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan, in addition to their own, have had the care of no less than sixteen other children, whom they have sent into the world useful men and women.
            On the 5th of October, 1829, Mr. Duncan, in company with his father, again set out for Michigan. ... his wife remaining with her father, who was to follow in January, 1830. ... They finally arrived on Prairie Ronde on the 20th of October, and moved in with Col. Fellows until they could prepare their own house for occupation. ... At an election ... on the 17th day of May, 1830, he was nominated the first sheriff of Kalamazoo County, his commission dating from Oct. 1, 1830. ... In Feb. 1832, he sold his farm, on the west side of Prairie Ronde, to John Knight, and removed to Gourd-Neck Prairie, where he purchased a farm and built a plank. Knight failing to fulfill the contract, the farm fell into his hands again, and he sold the one on Gourd-Neck Prairie to Asa Briggs and removed to his old homestead in July, 1832. ... In December, 1839, in company with his brother-in-law, Justin Clark, he made a prospecting tour of the State, ... In politics a Whig, subsequently a Free-Soiler, and upon the formation of the Republican party became a member of that organization. ... until his death, May 1, 1870.
      Pg.520, 521, Schoolcraft Township: Mills N. Duncan, who was born in Weathersfield, Windsor Co., Vt., Nov. 27, 1803, removed to Springfield, in the same county, when but nineteen years of age, and entered the mercantile business, in company with Gen. John Perkins. Mr. Duncan's father, Nahum Duncan, was a resident of Perkinsville, in the town of Weathersfield, and owned and kept a tavern. He was possessed of considerable means, and his experience in business, coupled with financial aid, did much to help his son. The latter some years later became largely interested in the manufacture of paper at Springfield, and also owned a share in the satinet factory at the same place. In 1837, when the great financial crash rolled its waves over the country, Mr. Duncan was numbered among the unfortunate. In 1838, or the spring of 1839, he sought for a new home and place of business in the West, and finally located at Three Rivers, St.Joseph Co., Mich., where his mercantile pursuits were resumed. In the fall of 1839 he returned to Vermont for his family, and brought them to Three Rivers. The latter place proved so unhealthy that after a lapse of twenty months - or in 1841 - he removed, with his family, to Schoolcraft, and continued his business there. In 1851 he became one of the firm of M.R. Cobb & Co., ... Some years later, Mr. Cobb withdrew from the firm, the name of which was changed to M.N. Duncan & Co., and it so remained until the death of Mr. Duncan, which occurred Feb. 5, 1860. His son, Henry Duncan, occupies the old home, in the northwest part of the village, near the residence of Judge Dyckman. A daughter, Mrs. Abby Lyon, at present resides in Kalamazoo. Mr. Duncan's wife was the daughter of an old resident of Springfield, VT. - Capt. George Hawkins, some of whose children are yet living there.
 

1906 "Compendium of History and Biography of Kalamazoo Co. MI" by David Fisher and Frank Little (FHL film 1,000,089 item 4)
      Pg.467: DELAMORE DUNCAN, Jr. Representing the third generation of his family in this county, of which he is a native, ... Delamore Duncan, Jr., of Prairie Ronde township ... His parents, Delamore and Parmela (Clark) Duncan, were among the earliest settlers in Prairie Ronde township, and ever since they first broke the glebe there that section of the county has been the family seat. The father was born on November 24, 1805, at Lyman, NH, and from 1810 until 1815 he attended the district school at Monroe, in his native state, of which his father was teacher. In the year last named his father, William Duncan, bought a wool-carding and cloth-dressing mill, and the business of this he carried on until 1821, when the death of his wife broke up the family. The Duncans, as may be easily inferred from the name, are of Scotch ancestry, but some of its members settled in the north of Ireland, and from Londonderry in that country the American progenitor of the race emigrated to this country in 1742, his son William, grandfather of Delamore Jr., being at that time 12 years old. In 1822 William left his children with his father and brothers, went into lumbering on the Connecticut river, where he remained so occupied until 1824, then removed to Syracuse, NY, where he also engaged in lumbering for a year. In April, 1825, in company with his son Delamore, who had joined him at Syracuse, he started for the territory of Michigan, then an almost unknown country. ... (Washtenaw Co., May 3, until Sept. 3.) The next few years were passed by the family in Ohio, and on October 5, 1829, they started again for Michigan ... west side of Prairie Ronde. Early in April, 1830, the elder Mr. Duncan was elected supervisor ... William Duncan's health becoming seriously impaired, he sold his property in this county, and in March, 1837, moved to Des Moines [Polk Co.], IA, and built a grist mill on the Des Moines river. He continued in the milling business there until the autumn of 1844, when he exchanged his property in Iowa for land in Cass Co. MI. Originally he was a Whig; later Free-Soil. He died on November 19, 1852. His son, Delamore Duncan, ... with his father to Michigan, and in the fall of 1826, on account of failing health, returned to the home of his grandfather in NH. The next spring he engaged in lumbering at McIndoes Falls, VT, and in 1828, in company with a brother and a sister, moved to Huron Co. OH, where he taught school until Feb. 1829. Then, in company with Elisha Doane, he once more started for MI ... Leaving his stock with a Mr. Wilmarth, he returned to OH, where he married Miss Parmela Clark on Sept. 8, 1829. Of this union nine children were born, three of whom are living, Delamore Jr., Charles C. and Helen Marian. Edwin F. was one of the pioneer fruit growers of CA and died in that state. In addition to their own, Mr. and Mrs. Duncan had the care of 16 other children ... On Oct. 5, 1829, in company with his father, Delamore Duncan again set out for Michigan, ... his wife remaining with her father, who was to follow in January, 1830. Not long after their arrival Mr. Duncan and Erastus Guilford took a contract and built a dam at Flowerfield ... In October, 1830, Mr. Duncan entered his land, after walking to Ohio to procure money for the purpose. On Oct. 1, 1830, he was commissioned the first sheriff of the county ... In 1858 he was a member of the legislature ... Schoolcraft ... First a Whig, then a Free-Soiler and later a Republican. ... until his death on May 1, 1870. His son, Delamore Duncan, Jr., is a native of Kalamazoo county and was born on his father's farm in Prairie Ronde township on March 10, 1839. ... On June 3, 1860, he was married in St. Joseph county, MI, to Miss Mary H. Field, a native of this county and daughter of George Field, an early settler of the county. She was born in 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan have had five children. Of these two are living, John F., now a prosperous and prominent CA fruit grower, and Delamore H., who operates his father's farm. ...
      Pg.533: CHARLES C. DUNCAN. Kalamazoo Co. Bank ... was born in Prairie Ronde township of this county on July 29, 1845, and is the son of Delamore and Parmela (Clark) Duncan, more extended mention of whom will be found in the sketch of his brother, Delamore Duncan Jr. ... On March 2, 1869, he united in marriage with Miss Alice F. Frazier, a native of St. Joseph Co. They had two children, their daughters Mary, now Mrs. Arthur S. Tucker, of Boston, Mass., and Edna A. Thomas, who died in 1891. Their mother died in 1891. Mr. Duncan in 1893 married Mrs. Caroline L. Stuart of this county, whose maiden name was Hatch. Her father, Oscar Hatch, was one of the revered pioneers of the county ... Republican.
 

1888 "Early history of Michigan : with biographies of state officers, members of Congress, judges and legislators : published pursuant to Act 59, 1887" by S.D.Bingham, pub. by Thorp & Godfrey, state printers and binders (HeritageQuest image 2/2007; sketches in alphabetic order, Local History Reel/Fiche Number 4546; FHL film 1,000,076 item 2)
      Pg.239-240: DELAMORE DUNCAN, Representative from Kalamazoo county in 1850, was born at Lyman [Grafton Co.], N.H. Nov. 24, 1805. Received a common school education and worked in his father's mill at wool carding and cloth dressing. Was a lumberman in Vermont, and settled on a farm in Prairie Ronde, Mich., in 1829. He was the first sheriff of Kalamazoo county from 1830 to 1834; was nine years supervisor; was assessor and justice; a merchant from 1855 to 1865; president of the Schoolcraft & Three Rivers railroad, giving liberally of time and means to secure its completion; and a director of the national bank at Three Rivers from 1864 until his death, May 1, 1870.
 

1905 "Autobiographical notes" [Michigan] by E. Lakin Brown; pub. Schoolcraft, Mich.: unknown (LH5375; HeritageQuest 4/2007)
      Pg.39: In November, 1839, my sister Pamela came from Vermont, ... with her arrived Mills N. Duncan and family. Mr. Duncan was prominent in business, first at Three Rivers, and afterward at Schoolcraft. ... (MAD: Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo Co. MI)
      Pg.45: Spring of 1848 ... Mr. Jonas Allen and Mr. Mills N. Duncan and families were going East, ...
      Pg.49: May 1867, ... Some of the principal stockholders and aiders in the undertaking were ... Delamore Duncan, ... M.N. Duncan, ...
 

1906 "A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan," by Orville W. Coolidge, pub. by Lewis Pub. Co., Chicago. (HeritageQuest image 2/2007, Local History Reel/Fiche Number 4592; FHL film 1,000,081 item 1)
      Pg.733-734: St.Joseph Twp. & City of St.Joseph. JOHN F. DUNCAN, who is classed with the leading business men of St. Joseph, where he is now engaged in the hardware trade, was born in this city in 1853. His father, Robert B. Duncan, was a native of Shippensburg [Cumberland Co.], PA, and died in 1870, at the age of 58 years. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Rosa Kelley, was born in Canada and is still living. The father came to Michigan in 1834 in the employ of the Hudson's Bay Company as a fur buyer and settled in St. Joseph, MI, where he afterward engaged in merchandising. He also established a store in Sodus township but later returned to St. Joseph, where he engaged in the grocery business and also dealt in general merchandising, continuing a factor in commercial life in this city up to the time of his death. He was active and influential in community affairs, served as a member of the council and was also president of the village. His political allegiance was given to the Democracy and by appointment of President Buchanan he filled the office of collector. The father was twice married, first to Alice Fitzgerald, of Niles, by whom he had three children, one of whom, Mrs. D.C. Oswald, of Denver, CO, is living. By his second marriage there were seven children, six of whom are living, John F. being the eldest. The others are: Mrs. William Belyea, living in Grand Rapids; Mrs. Edward J. Head, of Denver, CO; Mrs. D.E. Brown, living in St.Joseph; Frank R., of the same city; and Robert B., who resides in Kalamazoo, MI.
      John F. Duncan was educated in the public schools of his native town and at the age of twelve years entered his father's store as a clerk and for two years after his death he continued the business. He then engaged in railroading in the employ of the Chicago & Lake Shore Railroad Company, now the Pere Marquette system, as baggageman on a mail train for one year. He afterward clerked for E.C. Hoyt in St.Joseph and subsequently was with T.T. Ransom, in whose employ he remained as a salesman for 8 years, gaining thorough familiarity with the methods in vogue in commercial life. He later entered into partnership with James Forbes under the firm name of Forbes & Duncan, conducting a grocery store for 8 years, when Mr. Forbes sold out and the firm became Duncan & Springsteen. This relation was maintained for about 2 years, when they disposed of their store to Frank C. Burke and Mr. Duncan then engaged in the real estate and building business in St. Joseph, which he continued for two years, at the end of which time he puchased the King & Cooper grocery store, which he conducted in connection with other business interests until 1892. In that year the grocery store was sold to the firm of Ankli & Duncan and in 1893 Mr. Duncan of this review purchased the hardware business of M.B. Rice, at the location which he now occupies. This business was established by C.C. Sweet some ten years before. Mr. Duncan has since conducted the store and is now one of the leading merchants of the city.
      In politics he is independent, while fraternally he is connected with the Masonic order and the Knights of the Maccabees. In 1883 in St.Joseph he was married to Miss Emma Gurnsey, who was born in this city and is a daughter of Hiram G. Gurnsey, who came from New York to Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan are members of the Congregational church and are much esteemed people here. He entered business life in an humble capacity but has gradually and steadily worked his way upward, brooking no obstacles that could be overcome by determined and steady purpose.
 

1889 "Portrait and biographical album of St. Joseph County, Michigan : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies of all the governors of the state, and of the presidents of the United States." pub. Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1889 (HeritageQuest image 2/2007, Local History Reel/Fiche Number 5007; FHL book 977.419 D3s and film 1,000,247 item 4)
      Pg.326-327: CHARLES J. CLOWES. This pleasant and genial gentleman and his estimable wife are living comfortably together on a well-regulated homestead on section 6 in Mendon Township, where, during the years of an extended residence, they have gathered around them hosts of friends. ...
      The father of our subject, Joseph H. Clowes, was born in Loudoun County, Va., and married Miss Ann E. Dunkin, a native of the same place. In 1832, leaving the Old Dominion, they made their way to Southern Michigan, during the Territorial days, and for a short time sojourned in Nottawa Township. Later they moved to what is now Colon Township, where the father operated as a tiller of the soil, and where his death took place Sept. 17, 1850. The mother is still living, having survived her husband a period of thirty-eight years, and remaining a widow. She is now quite aged, and makes her home with her son Charles J.
      The parental family included two children only, our subject and his sister Ruth. The latter, the elder of the two, married Samuel Fisk, and died at her home in Vicksburg, in January, 1882, aged about fifty-three years; she was born in Virginia. The native place of Charles J. was in the then unimportant town of Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo County, where he first opened his eyes to the light Oct. 28, 1834. His father was for many years engaged in the dry-goods trade, and Charles J. assisted him in the store until his death. ...
      One of the most important events in the life of our subject was his marriage with Miss Demetra Potter, which took place at the home of the bride in Brady Township, Kalamazoo County, March 9, 1862. The lady is the daughter of Jeremiah and Nancy (Johnson) Potter, who were both natives of New York State. ...
 

1922 "History of Santa Clara 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 Eugene T. Sawyer; pub. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic Record Co. (LH13761, HeritageQuest images 4/2007; FHL book 979.473 H2s pt.1 & 2 and film 908,014 items 1-2; CA State Library book qc979.473 H67a)
      Pg.1333: JOHN F. DUNCAN - A California financier, ... the far-sighted vice-president of the Garden City Bank & Trust Company of San Jose. He was born at Schoolcraft, Mich., that interesting little town named after the explorer of the Mississippi River's sources, on December 20, 1855, the son of Delamore and Mary H. (Field) Duncan, both of whom, as substantial Michigan folk, lived and died there. John F. Duncan attended the elementary and then the high school of his town, and afterward enjoyed the stimulating courses of a first-class business college, ... In April, 1892, he came to California and located at Campbell, where he helped to organize the Campbell Fruit Growers' Union. ... He remained there four years. Then, in 1896, he organized the Bank of Campbell, and became its cashier; and when, in 1918, ... the bank was amalgamated with the Garden City Bank of San Jose, he continued ... On March 15, 1920, ... he became the vice-president of the Garden City Bank ... At Schoolcraft, on October 17, 1888, Mr. Duncan was married to Miss Elizabeth Parker, an accomplished lady of Michigan; and their fortunate union has been blessed with the birth of five children. Mildred, the eldest, has become Mrs. J.E. Carter; then came Marion, Alice and Elizabeth; while the youngest in the family is John Parker. The family attend the Congregational Church. Mr. Duncan belongs to the Republican party ... (MAD: Kalamazoo Co. MI)
 

1913 "Who's who on the Pacific coast : a biographical compilation of notable living contemporaries west of the Rocky Mountains" ed. by Franklin Harper, pub. 1913 Los Angeles, Harper Pub. Co. (FHL film 1,697,720 item 7; SLC 6/10/2008)
      Pg.172. DUNCAN, John Fellows, Banker; born, Schoolcraft, Mich.; son, Delamore and Mary (Field) D. Grad., Schoolcraft High School. Married, Elizabeth A. Parker, Oct. 17, 1888, at Schoolcraft, Mich. Cashier, the Bank of Campbell; Dir., J.C. Ainsley Packing Co., Campbell Realty Co. Member: Natl. Geographic Soc., Campbell Hall Assn., Masons. Address: Campbell, Cal. (MAD: Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo Co. MI; Campbell, Santa Clara Co. CA)
 

1883 "History of the State of Kansas : containing a full account of its growth from an uninhabited territory to a wealthy and important state; of its early settlements; a supplementary history and description of its counties, cities, towns and villages, their advantages, industries and commerce, to which are added biographical sketches and portraits of prominent men and early settlers" ed. by William G. Cutler, A.T. Andreas; pub. Chicago : A.T. Andreas (FHL book 978.1 H2hi 1976 & v.2; FHL film 982,248 items 1-2)
      Pg.1569: Montgomery Co., Independence. WILLIAM DUNKIN, attorney, is a native of Virginia, born April 7, 1846; educated at Morgantown Academy (now university of West Virginia). He located at Lawrence, Kan., in February, 1872, where he read law nearly one year with Thacher & Banks, and was here admitted to the bar in March, 1873. He settled at Independence, Kan., April 1, 1873, where he enjoys a large and lucrative practice; was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court in January, 1874. He has been Mayor of Independence and prominently identified with the material interests of the city ever since he located here. Mr. Dunkin was married, at Kalamazoo, Mich., October 18, 1876, to Miss Lillie R?. Hud? (MAD: poor copy), who was born in Connecticut but reared in Kalamazoo, Mich. They have two children -- Floy and Cora.
 

c1912 "Kansas : a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc... with a supplementary volume devoted to selected personal history and reminiscence." Vol.I-II ed. by Frank Wilson Blackmar; Supplementary Volume (Vol.III) Parts 1-2; pub. Chicago : Standard Pub. Co. (FHL film 1,000,028)
      Supplementary Vol.(III), pg.136-139: WILLIAM DUNKIN, of Independence [Montgomery Co.], Kan., became a law student in the office of Thacher & Banks, at Lawrence, Kan., in March, 1872. About one year thereafter, through the kind influence of Judge N.T. Stephens, then associated with the firm of Thacher & Banks, at Lawrence, Kan., in March, 1872. About one year thereafter, through the kind influence of Judge N.T. Stephens, then associated with the firm of Thacher & Banks, Mr. Dunkin was admitted to the bar of Douglas county, and thereafter, on April 1, 1873, opened a law office and entered upon the practice of his profession at Independence, Kan. He has since then continuously occupied the same office. At the time he located at Independence he was wholly unacquainted in the county and spent the first few months in assiduous study, with little or no professional work.
            He was then appointed city attorney and at once vigorously took up the pending litigation concerning the entry of the town site, the patent to which had been for several years withheld on account of contests between the city and claimants to portions of it. The next year (1874) he became a candidate on the Democratic ticket for county attorney. ... After his unsuccessful race for county attorney Mr. Dunkin soon acquired a lucrative practice, singularly, in a large measure, from political opponents. In 1876 he married Miss Elizabeth Browning Hull, of Kalamazoo, Mich. She is a native of Stonington, Conn. Their children are Florence E., Cora Hull Kimble (nee Dunkin), and William Latham, all residents of Independence, Kan. In 1877 Mr. Dunkin was elected by an overwhelming majority over Judge James DeLong as mayor of Independence, and shortly afterwards, through the aid of Senator John J. Ingalls, secured the patent to the town site, which had been held back by the contests and litigation for six or seven years. ... At the end of his term Mr. Dunkin declined to become a candidate for reelection ... In 1888, while spending the summer with his family on Lake Michigan, and over his telegraphic protest to the Democratic convention, Mr. Dunkin was nominated as a candidate for state senator. He was defeated by something less than 400 plurality, while the Republican ticket carried the county by over 1,000. During his residence at Independence he has accumulated a comfortable fortune, consisting largely of a number of river bottom farms, business and residence buildings in the city and elsewhere, and personal property, to the management of which his time is in the main devoted.
            Mr. Dunkin was born at Flint Hill, Rappahannock county, Virginia, April 7, 1845. His father, Dr. William Dunkin, was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, April 5, 1797. After studying medicine and attending medical lectures in Baltimore, he was graduated in 1822 and for about twenty years thereafter practiced his profession in Rappahannock county, Virginia, where he was wedded to Mrs. Elizabeth Late (nee Woodside), a widow, who was the mother of two children -- a son, William Michael, and Mary Catherine -- by her deceased husband, John Late. Dr. Dunkin was descended from Scotch parentage and his wife was of Irish extraction. The ancestry (MAD: sic) of both lived in Virginia for many years during the Colonial period and through the Revolutionary war, in which some of them participated. In the spring of 1846 Dr. Dunkin, with his family, then consisting of his wife, two step-children, a daughter (Anne) and a son (William) then less than a year old, moved in covered wagons with his numerous slaves across the Alleghany mountains to a new home in Harrison county, Virginia. Their home was a farm situated between Bridgeport and Clarksburg, which in time he increased to about 1,000 acres. At the time of his arrival there typhoid fever was prevalant in the county. At his former home Dr. Dunkin had had much recent experience in the treatment of this dreaded disease. He therefore at once acquired an extensive practice and soon won an enviable reputation as a physician, which endured to the time of his death, June 22, 1868. Soon after locating he began the erection of a large stone house, in which he resided until his death. At this house were born the following children: John, James, Elizabeth and Amanda, the last in 1854, all of whom are yet living. About 1855 the stepson, William M. Late, after studying medicine at home, attended medical lectures one year at Baltimore and then two years at the University in Philadelphia, where he graduated in 1858, and on his return Dr. Dunkin gradually retired in favor of his stepson, who held the practice and added to it till his death, in 1906.
            Owing to the excited state of the public mind preceding the Civil war, and the unsettled conditions along the line of hostility, where the doctor and his family lived during the war, educational facilities were sadly neglected. During a portion of the time the older children were periodically instructed by the doctor, by private tutors at home, and by inferior teachers at subscription schools. At times the home was between contending armies and often not far from the seat of hostilities. While the doctor and his wife were slaveowners, as had been their ancestors during and since the Colonial days, he was an uncompromising and aggressive Union man, and felt if the preservation of the Union should result in the destruction of slavery it would be an additional blessing, ... In those never-to-be-forgotten days along the border it was not unusual to find brothers in opposing armies and fathers arrayed in deadly conflict against their sons. In the case of Dr. Dunkin his brothers and relatives were without exception loyal to the government and many of them served in the Union army, while his wife's relatives were equally devoted to the cause of the Confederacy and a number of them fought in the Southern army.
            When about sixteen years of age William Dunkin, Jr., became greatly concerned about an education. He wanted to go to the academy at Morgantown, W.Va., afterwards the West Virginia University, to take up a classical course, and finally, after graduating from Princeton or Harvard, study and practice law. He persistently, but unsuccessfully, importuned his father on the subject till at last, when about nineteen years of age, he ran away from home and went to New York City, where, after weeks of effort, he secured a position as errand boy in the office of Edward P. Clark, a distinguished lawyer on Lower Broadway, with whom he remained some three months, when he returned home with the understanding that he was to enter the academy. His father, however, seemed unalterably opposed to that part of the plan respecting the practice of law, ... After some six or eight months at the academy, where the son had made fine progress in a classical course, he returned home in broken health, which did not become fully restored for several years.
            After his father's death, in 1868, Mr. Dunkin administered on his estate and settled that portion of it in Michigan, where he spent the winter of 1871-72 for that purpose. In March, 1872, at the instance of his cousin, Maj. Wyllis C. Ransom, of Lawrence, Kan., he entered the law office of Thacher & Banks, as before stated.
 

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