Duncans in Fayette Co. PA Histories

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

Last revised August 25, 2007

FAYETTE CO. PA
HISTORIES before 1923
 

1889 "Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Fayette County Pennsylvania" ed. by John M. Gresham, assisted in the compilation by Samuel T. Wiley, pub. by John M. Gresham & Co. (FHL film 1,000,555 item 2; book 78)
      Pg.264-6, Brownsville & Bridgeport. DR. WILLIAM STEVENS DUNCAN, of Bridgeport, a widely known and highly esteemed physician and surgeon, was born in Brownsville, May 24, 1834. He is a son of Judge Thomas and Priscilla (Stevens) Duncan.
            Dr. Duncan's great-grandfather, Thomas Duncan, and his wife, emigrated from Scotland to County Donegal, Ireland, in 1775. They had four children (all born in Scotland): George, John, Arthur and a daughter, whose name there is no doubt whether it was Jane or Nancy. Arthur Duncan, when 20 years of age, engaged in the Irish Rebellion of 1792, and immediately after its suppression sought safety in flight from the English authorities. He was placed in a cask which was filled with straw, the head replaced, thus was smuggled on board a vessel bound for the United States, and landed at Philadelphia, January 10, 1793. In 1795 he joined Washington's troops that were sent out from the Capital to suppress the Whiskey Insurrection. After his discharge, he settled near "Plumsock," (now Upper Middletown) in September, 1802, and took out his naturalization papers. He married Sophia Wharton, a dau. of Arthur Wharton, of Franklin township. Arthur Duncan died at Moundsville, VA, in 1850, and his wife, in Pittsburgh, PA, in 1845. They had ten children, namely: Thomas, George, Arthur, James, Benjamin, Enos, Mary Ann, Jane, Elizabeth and Nancy. (MAD: Moundsville, Marshall Co. WV; Pittsburgh, Allegheny Co. PA)
            Judge Thomas Duncan was born in Franklin township, Aug. 22, 1807, and received his early education in the Thorn Bottom School. He engaged in the Plumsock Rolling Mill for a time, but at 18 years of age made arrangements to learn the trade of a cabinet-maker. He engaged with an expert mechanic, Thomas Hatfield, with whom he remained 3 years as an apprentice, and afterwards 3 years more as a partner. He then removed to Bridgeport, and has continued successfully in the same business. Judge Duncan was married in May, 1829, to Miss Priscilla, dau. of Dr. Benjamin Stevens of Uniontown. Her father, Dr. Benjamin Stevens, was born in Maryland, Feb. 20, 1737, read medicine with his father, Dr. Benjamin Stevens, and grad. at Annapolis Medical School, MD. He came to "Plumsock" ... until his death in 1813.
            Judge Duncan ... served as county commissioner from 1843 to 1845, in 1851 elected associate judge of Fayette Co. for 5 years, re-elected 1856, ... Methodist Episcopal church for 48 years. Judge Duncan and wife have five children, 3 of whom are living: Mrs. Elizabeth Worrell, Dr. W.S. Duncan, both of Bridgeport, and Thomas J. Duncan, a practicing attorney at Washington, PA. Judge Duncan assisted his father, Arthur Duncan, in 1822 in manufacturing ... he is now an octogenarian in years and is in good health. Mrs. Duncan died in Feb. 1873, aged 66 years. (MAD: Washington, Washington Co. PA, per 1880 census)
            Dr. William Stevens Duncan received a thorough literary education in Mt.Union College, Ohio, read medicine with Dr. M.O. Jones, then of Brownsville but now a resident of Pittsburgh ... graduated from Univ. of PA in spring of 1858 with degree of M.D. In June 1858 formed copartnership with preceptor in the practice, ending in 1861 by removal of Dr. Jones to Pittsburgh. ... March 21, 1861, Dr. Duncan mar. Miss Amanda, dau. of Benjamin and Mary (Berry) Leonard; they have one child, a dau., Helen, a pupil in Lenna Female College at Pittsburgh. Member Fayette Co. Medical Assn, ... served as volunteer surgeon at the battle of Gettysburg and was taken prisoner by the Confederates.
      Pg.430-3, Dunbar. ALEXANDER C. DUNCAN was born in Butler Co. PA Jan. 25, 1846. His maternal grandfather, Enos Graham, was a native of Scotland, came to America at the beginning of 18th century and settled in Butler Co. PA. His paternal grandfather, Samuel Duncan, was of Scotch descent, born in Allegheny Co. near Pittsburgh, and was married to Nancy Smith, a native also of Allegheny Co. PA. A.C. Duncan's father, Robert Duncan, was born in Butler Co. PA in 1813, and was a farmer. He married Miss Julia A. Graham, and had 9 children: William; Enos G., a resident of Greenfield [?Jones Co.], IA; Isaiah M., a farmer of Butler Co.; Beriah M., president of the board of county commissioners, of Butler Co.; Alexander C.; Pressly, a plasterer, and a resident of Mars, Butler Co.; Robert, a farmer of Butler Co.; Nancy, married to John W. McCaw, of Allegheny Co., and Julia A., mar. to John A. Wilson, a coal merchant of Allegheny City. Alexander C. is the 5th son of his parents; he was educated in the common schools of Butler Co. and with 4 of his brothers he served in the army during the Civil War. Enos G., Isaiah N., and Beriah, were volunteers in Co.G, 134th Reg. PA Volunteers, enlisting in 1862 and serving for 9 months; then they enlisted as veterans in Co.G, 4th PA Cavalry and served till the close of the war. William volunteered in the spring of 1864 in the 78th Reg. PA Vols., Alexander C. volunteered in the summer of 1864 in Co.B 193rd Reg. PA Volunteers ... After the war, returned home and lived with his parents till 1871. In 1871 he mar. Miss Mary C. Graham, dau. of William J. Graham, a native of Butler Co. PA. They had children: Clara E., a telegraph operator in the employ of the B. & O. R.R. Co. at Uniontown; Nancy E., and Allen Ward. His wife died Oct. 31, 1879, he mar. 2nd in June 1881 to Emma Stroud, dau. of William Stroud of Dunbar, two children: Alexander R. and Edna W. Alexander C. Duncan left the farm and engaged in mercantile business at Ogle, Butler Co., in 1875, until 1879, shortly after this he came to Dunbar ...
      Pg.593, Misc. JUDGE THOMAS DUNCAN, (MAD: the paragraphs all started with quote marks, apparently a direct quote from the 1882 History) ... among the venerable men of Bridgeport ... that borough and its twin sister Brownsville, by over half a century's residence ... He is of Scotch-Irish extraction. His father, Arthur Duncan, emigrated from County Donegal, Ireland, about 1793 to America and found his way into Fayette Co. as a soldier in the service of the United States ... to suppress the Whiskey Insurrection ... settled in Franklin township near Upper Middletown (then known as "Plumsock"), Menallen township, and mar. Sophia Wharton, dau. of Arthur Wharton, of Franklin township, but a native of England, who held a large tract of land in that township, and was a man of strong individuality. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Duncan passed the greater portion of their lives in Upper Middletown, but Mrs. Duncan died about 1845 in Pittsburgh [Allegheny Co.], to which place the family had removed, and Mr. Duncan about 1850, in Moundsville, VA, at the residence of one of his daus., Mrs. Nancy Rosell. (MAD: Moundsville, Marshall Co. WV)
            Mr. and Mrs. Duncan were the parents of ten children, the 2nd of whom is Judge Thomas Duncan, who was born in Franklin Twp. Aug. 22, 1807, ... in 1837 Judge Duncan joined the Masonic order, ... also a member ... Methodist Episcopal church since 1834. In May 1829 he married Priscilla Stevens, dau. of Dr. Benjamin Stevens of Uniontown, whose father, Benjamin Stevens, who came to Fayette Co. from Maryland, was also a physician. Mrs. Duncan died in Feb. 1873 at the age of 66 years.
            Judge and Mrs. Duncan became the parents of five children, three now living: Mrs. Elizabeth Worrell, Dr. W.S. Duncan, both of Bridgeport, and Thomas J. Duncan, a lawyer practicing his profession in Washington, PA.
      MAD: the Fayette Co. PA Vital Records index to 1890 by Cynthia Herrin indicates there is a reference, probably in an 1889 county history, to a Harriet Duncan, b.1830 Fayette Co. PA, dau. of Joseph Duncan, died in the Mexican War, who married in 1852 in Fayette Co. PA to George Cunningham, born 1 June 1828, son of William Cunningham and Sidney Marietta, and had children William Dunningham b.1854 mar. 1876 Miss Moats, and Isaac Cunningham b.1858 mar. Druscilla Hopwood. The same source lists George Frye instead of George Cunningham, with identical dates and children. I have been unable to locate a biography in this county history, although there are references to a Cunningham family but not a Frye family.
 

1882 "History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men" by Franklin Ellis, 1828-1885; pub. Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co., 1882 (LH11284, HeritageQuest image 3/2007; FHL film 1,000,555 item 1, book 77; also University of Pittsburgh's Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh Full-Text Collection)
      http://digital.library.pitt.edu:80/p/pitttext/
      Pg.302: Unclaimed letter at Uniontown post office, Nov. 3, 1795, ... Alexander Duncan.
      Pg.329: Uniontown borough ... In 1829, September 28th, John Kennedy Duncan and Dr. Hugh Campbell were ordained to the sacred office. Mr. Duncan was born and raised in Carlisle, admitted to this church upon certificate, and at once elected elder, and served faithfully for one year, and was dismissed in 1830 to the Tent Church. Thence he removed to Springhill, thence to Iowa City, thence to Dubuque [Iowa], where he died in 1869. (MAD: Carlisle, Cumberland Co. PA)
      Pg.443: Presbyterian Church of Brownsville ... On 4 May 1822, William Steele, William Forsyth, and Jesse H. Duncan, trustees of the Presbyterian congregation, purchased a lot northeast of and adjoining the Episcopal Church lot for burial purposes.
 

1882 "History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, with Biographical Sketches of many of its Pioneers and Prominent Men" ed. by Franklin Ellis, pub. by L.H. Everts & Co. (FHL film 1,000,555 item 1, book 77; and FHL book 974.884 H2e)
      Pg.459-460: Brownsville Borough and Township. JUDGE THOMAS DUNCAN. Among the venerable men of Bridgeport ... that borough and its twin sister Brownsville, by over half a century's residence ... He is of Scotch-Irish extraction. His father, Arthur Duncan, emigrated from County Donegal, Ireland, about 1793 to America and found his way into Fayette Co. as a soldier in the service of the United States ... to suppress the Whiskey Insurrection ... settled in Franklin township near Upper Middletown (then known as "Plumsock"), Menallen township, and mar. Sophia Wharton, dau. of Arthur Wharton, of Franklin township, but a native of England, who held a large tract of land in that township, and was a man of strong individuality. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Duncan passed the greater portion of their lives in Upper Middletown, but Mrs. Duncan died about 1845 in Pittsburgh, to which place the family had removed, and Mr. Duncan about 1850, in Moundsville, VA, at the residence of one of his daus., Mrs. Nancy Rosell.
            Mr. and Mrs. Duncan were the parents of ten children, the 2nd of whom is Judge Thomas Duncan, who was born in Franklin Twp. Aug. 22, 1807, ... in 1837 Judge Duncan joined the Masonic order, ... also a member ... Methodist Episcopal church since 1834. In May 1829 he married Priscilla Stevens, dau. of Dr. Benjamin Stevens of Uniontown, whose father, Benjamin Stevens, who came to Fayette Co. from Maryland, was also a physician. Mrs. Duncan died in Feb. 1873 at the age of 66 years.
            Judge and Mrs. Duncan became the parents of five children, three now living: Mrs. Elizabeth Worrell, Dr. W.S. Duncan, both of Bridgeport, and Thomas J. Duncan, a lawyer practicing his profession in Washington, PA.
      Pg.460: Brownsville Borough and Township. WILLIAM STEVENS DUNCAN, M.D. Dr. W.S. Duncan, of Bridgeport, is the son of Judge Thomas Duncan, of the same borough, a biographical sketch of whom immediately precedes this sketch. Dr. Duncan was born May 24, 1834; and here the writer may quite as properly as anywhere else note the fact that the date of his birth is the only fact or item of the following biographical sketch which the doctor has independently furnished, he being ... adverse ... so the interviewer was advised to refer to others ... (extolls his virtues as a doctor)
            For what follows, we are indebted to two books in which professional notice of Dr. Duncan is made, one of which is entitled "Physicians and Surgeons of the United States," edited by William B. Atkinson, M.D., 1878; the other a record of the "Transactions of the Rocky Mountain Medical Association," with biographies of the members, by J.M. Toner, M.D., a leading physician of Washington, D.C. (1877).
            Dr. Duncan was educated at Mount Union College, Stark Co. OH ... medical studies commenced in 1855 ... Dr. Duncan was married March 21, 1861, to Miss Amanda Leonard, dau. of Benjamin and Mary Berry Leonard, of Brownsville. They have one child, a dau.
      Pg.579: Georges Township, The Tent Church Presbyterian school was organized about 1828, Eliel Freeman having been the first superintendent; he has been succeeded by the following gentlemen: J. Kennedy Duncan, Alexander Deyarmon, Alfred Stewart, William Custead, John Smith, and John Oliphant; it is a summer school.
            The Fairchance Presbyterian school was opened by the efforts of Dr. Ashbel Fairchild, J. Kennedy Duncan, and Fidelio H. Oliphant. The superintendents of this school have been Fidelio H. Oliphant, William Pastories, J. Kennedy Duncan, Samuel Duncan, Joshua V. Gibbons, and Esquire Humphrey Humphreys.
      Pg.582-587: Georges Township, Biographical Sketches. F.H. Oliphant. Fideleo Hughes Oliphant was the third son and fourth in the order of birth of a family of ten children, four sons and six daughters, of John and Sarah Oliphant. Hughes, the subject of this sketch, was born on 4 Jan. 1800 at Old Fairfield Furnace, on Georges Creek, in Georges Twp., Fayette Co. PA. His father, Col. John Oliphant, was born in Chester Co. PA and his mother, Sarah McGinnes, born in Philadelphia, PA, was the only child of a sea-captain, who was lost in shipwreck ... adopted by her uncle the Rev. Samuel Woodbridge ... she took her uncle's name ... united in marriage some time in the year 1790. Their remains rest in the old churchyard at Woodbridge. Andrew, the grandfather of Hughes Oliphant, had his home in Chester Co. PA previously to the war of the Revolution. ... After the war, he moved out to Fayette Co. and settled on land near to Merrittatown. His remains rest in the graveyard of the Dunlap's Creek Presbyterian congregation. F.H. Oliphant's first schooling ... (pg.584) On the eighth day of November, 1821, F.H. Oliphant, married Jane Creigh, the oldest daughter of Samuel Duncan, Esq. of the Fayette County bar, from which came a family of eleven children, - John, Duncan, Orlando, Henry, James, and Ethelbert, Elizabeth, Mary Louise, Jane, Sallie Ann, and Ellen. On the 8th of November, 1871, they celebrated their golden wedding at the residence of the oldest daughter, Mrs. R.P. Nevin, Sewickley, PA., at which all the children living and many grandchildren were present. June 5th, 1876, his wife Jane died, and he afterwards married her younger sister, Mary E. Duncan, who survives him. ... (pg.587) On the 12th of November, 1879, he was borne from the Presbyterian Church in Uniontown, where the funeral services were conducted by the Revs. S.S. Bergen and Isaac Wynn, by six of his grandsons, and buried in Oak Grove Cemetery.
 

1913 "A History of Uniontown; The County Seat of Fayette County Pennsylvania" by James Hadden (from Kathy Cawley 8/2004)
      Pg.161: THE THOMPSON-RUBY BUILDING. Jesse Evans, father of Colonel Samuel Evans, and a prosperous ironmaster of Springhill Township, purchased this property, and as early as 1815, he and John Campbell kept store on this corner. Mr. Evans never gave his personal attention to the business, but soon Samuel Y. Campbell, a brother to John, took his interest and conducted business for a number of years together. Samuel Duncan kept store here for one year, from the spring of 1839, till the spring of 1840, with George H. Wood as his clerk. He then moved his goods to Springhill Township.
      Pg.654: Chapter XXVIII. Old Graveyards And Cemeteries. The Presbyterian Graveyard. When one visits the place of his nativity after an absence of many years he finds the old graveyard one of the most interesting spots around the old home. Here he finds those who were near and dear to him and with whom he had been pleasantly associated in years gone by. It is a sad pleasure to pass through the silent city of the dead and recall the names and faces of those who have passed to the great beyond.
      When the good Quaker, Henry Beeson, laid out the town of "Union" he set apart a plat of one acre and eight perches of ground which he deeded October 3, 1797, to the inhabitants of the Town of Union and its vicinity to be used as a public burial ground, for the sum of five shillings and for other good causes him thereunto moving. This plat of ground lies some few hundred yards east of the court house and has become generally known as the Presbterian graveyard. This name may perhaps have arisen from the fact that the Methodists had a burial ground near their meeting house and the Baptists had one near their meeting house, and it was natural to attach the name of the other leading church to this burial ground, although the Presbyterian church never assumed any special authority over it.
      Burial grounds are always contemporary with establishment of new settlements, but many farms have private burial ground in which sleep the families of many of the first settlers and owners of the land. It would be difficult if not impossible to ascertain when this old burial ground received its first interment, but it is known that the first ones to die of the Beesob family were not buried in this burial ground, although many of them rest therein.
       Mr. John M. Austin laid off one tier of lots adjoining the south side of this cemetery, and in 1854, Messrs. Jacob and John Gallagher added five or six acres of most desirable lots on the north side.
      It is deplorable that this old burial ground in which rest the remains of those who in the early history of our community were its respected and influential citizens should be so sadly neglected. No one can conceive of the neglected condition of the sacred place. It is a burning shame and disgrace to this enlightened and prosperous community, which points with justifiable pride to its stately buildings, its thrifty enterprises and its many citizens of means, to know that the shadow of the tower of our magnificent temple of justice falls upon the spot where repose the bones of our ancestors hidden from the light of noon day sun by a tangled mass of thorns and briars.
      The inscriptions on the old headstones and a brief mention of many of the prominent citizens whose remains rest here. The entrance to this old burail ground is by a short, deserted roadway leading from old Connellsville road. Passing eastward we notice the graves of:
      Jane C. Ewing died May 12, 1825, age 22 years and 10 days. Her maiden name was Jane Creigh Kennedy, daughter of Judge John Kennedy, and in 1822 was married to Judge Nathaniel Ewing. She left one child, the Hon. John Kennedy Ewing. (pg.656)
      Fannie M., wife of W. H. Duncan, died December 18, 1859, in the 43d year of her age. (pg.665)
      Mrs. Susan F. Duncan died April 8, 1838, age 21 years, 9 months and 3 days. (pg.665)
      John Oliphant Duncan died June --, 1832, age 3 years. (pg.665)
      Orlando Stewart Oliphant died May 19, 1832, aged 5 years and 10 months. (pg.665)
      Jesse Henry Oliphant died May 18, 1832, aged 3 years and 2 months. These two were sons of F. H. and J. C. Oliphant. (pg.665)
      Samuel Duncan died June 2, 1819, in the 42nd year of his age. (pg.665)
      Elizabeth, consort of Samuel Duncan, died December 2, 1829, in the 50th year of her age. (pg.665)
 

"Genealogical and personal history of Fayette County, Pennsylvania" (anonymous); pub. New York: Lewis Historical Pub. Co., 1912, 1116 pgs. (LH10197, HeritageQuest images 4/2007; FHL film 1,000,555 items 3-5; and FHL book 974.88 D2j v.1-3 and film 896,731 and 896,732 item 1, under title of Fayette and Greene Co. PA)
      Pg.399: Captain William Henshaw, son of Nicholas and Rebecca Henshaw, was born in 1736. ... He married Agnes (familiarly known as "Ann" and "Nancy"), daughter of William and Mary Anderson. ... his third wife was a Widow Robinson. (children) 11. Ruhamah, married ---- Duncan and settled in Kentucky.
            (Nicholas (2), son of Captain William Henshaw, was born in 1763, died February 23, 1821)
      Pg.884-885: Eli F., son of William and Rebecca (Hutchinson) Huston, was born in Tyrone (now Lower Tyrone) township, July 29, 1835. ... He married, July 4, 1872, Catharine, daughter of David and Sarah (Hutchinson) Hough, who was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, September 7, 1859. ... Children of Eli F. and Catharine (Hough) Huston: 4. Sarah A. born June 1, 1880, married William Gray Duncan, born April 7, 1872; child, Catharine H., born January 24, 1907. ...
 

"Hart's history and directory of the three towns, Brownsville, Bridgeport, West Brownsville : also, abridged history of Fayette County & western Pennsylvania" by J. Percy Hart; pub. Cadwallader, Pa.: J.P. Hart, 1904, 692 pgs. (LH10161, HeritageQuest images 6/2007)
      Pg.36: Another medical society was organized in Brownsville, May 18, 1869. ... W.P. Duncan, ... Drs. Duncan, .... submitted a constitution based on ...
      Pg.57: War of the Rebellion. ... The Fourteenth Cavalry or the 159th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Line under Col. James Schoonmaker was largely from Fayette, ... Co.E, Capt. Ashbel F. Duncan. ...
      Pg.62: Eighth Regiment, Co.D, Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps. ... Regimental Field Officers: Major, John W. Duncan, resigned, Nov. 21, 1861.
      Pg.219-220: JUDGE THOMAS DUNCAN. - Among the venerable men of Bridgeport, highly esteemed by all who knew him, and identified with the interests of the borough and its twin sister, Brownsville, by over half a century's residence and active business life within their limits, and participating in .... of the place where he so long made his home, was Judge Thomas Duncan. He was of Scotch-Irish extraction. His father, Arthur Duncan, emigrated from County Donegal, Ireland about 1793, to America, and found his way into Fayette County as a soldier in the service of the United States among the troops sent hither by the government to suppress the Whisky Insurrection. After the troops were disbanded he settled in Franklin Township, near Upper Middletown (then known as "Plumsock"), Menallen Township, and married Sophia Wharton, daughter of Arthur Wharton, of Franklin Township, but a native of England, who held a large tract of land in that township, and was a man of strong individuality. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Duncan passed the greater portion of their lives in Upper Middletown, but Mrs. Duncan died about 1845, in Pittsburg, to which place the family had removed, and Mr. Duncan, about in 1850, in Moundsville, Va., at the residence of one of his daughters, Mrs. Nancy Rosell.
            Mr. and Mrs. Duncan were the parents of ten children, the second in number of whom was Judge Thomas Duncan, who was born in Franklin Township, August 22, 1807. He received his early education in the Thorn Bottom schoolhouse, in those days often pompously or ironically dubbed "The Thorn Bottom Seminary," on Buck Run, in his native township. During his boyhood he wrought more or less in the Plumsock Rolling Mill, and at eighteen years of age was apprenticed to a cabinetmaker, Thomas Hatfield, an expert mechanic, with whom he remained three years, and three more as a partner. He then removed to Bridgeport, where he resided until his death, February 21, 1894, carrying on as his principal business that in which he first engaged.
            Judge Duncan always took an active part in public affairs. He was a member of the first board of school directors in Bridgeport chosen under the present law organizing the common schools, and earnestly advocated the enactment of the law long before it was made. He was frequently a member of the Common Council, and several times burgess of Bridgeport. He also took prominent part as a Democrat in the politics of the county, was county commissioner from 1841 to 1843, both inclusive, and was elected in 1851 associate judge of Fayette County for a period of five years, and reelected in the fall of 1856 for a like term, and fulfilled the duties of his office throughout both terms.
            In 1837, Judge Duncan joined the Masonic order, ... Odd Fellows from 1834 to his death. Judge Duncan was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church from the last-named year until his death.
            In May, 1829, he married Priscilla Stevens, daughter of Dr. Benjamin Stevens of Uniontown, whose father, Benjamin Stevens, came to Fayette County from Maryland, and was also a physician. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan became the parents of five children, two of whom are living - Mrs. Elizabeth Worrell, of Bridgeport, and Thomas J. Duncan, a lawyer practicing his profession at Washington, Pa.
      Pg.220-222: DR. W.S. DUNCAN, of Bridgeport, was the son of Judge Thomas Duncan. Dr. Duncan was born May 24, 1834; and here it may quite as properly as anywhere else be noted that the date of his birth was the only fact or item of the following biographical sketch which the doctor has independently furnished, he being decidedly averse, as he expressed it, to countenancing any "representation of himself in such manner as shall seem to have been suggested in whole or part by himself," or, "through favorable facts which, it will be obvious, were furnished by himself." So the interviewer was advised to refer to others, ...
            Dr. Duncan though long since gone to his reward, merits more emphatic notice in a work of this kind than is usually accorded to the living of any profession or vocation, for he occupied a place not only in the front rank of the physicians of Fayette County, but among the profession at large. ... (MAD: mention of his extensive medical library of books).
            For what follows posterity is indebted to two books in which professional notice of Dr. Duncan is made, one of which was entitled, "Physicians and Surgeons of the United States," edited by William B. Atkinson, M.D., 1878; the other a record of the "Transactions of the Rocky Mountain Medical Association," with biographies of the members, by J.H. Toner, M.D., a leading physician of Washington, D.C. (1877):
            "Dr. Duncan was liberally educated at Mount Union College, Stark County, Ohio. His medical studies were commenced in 1855 with Dr. M.O. Jones, then of Bridgeport. Matriculating in the university of Pennsylvania, he took a full course of lectures, and received his degree of M.D. therefrom in March, 1858. (MAD: some omitted here) In June, 1858, he formed a partnership with his preceptor [Dr. J.J. Woodward] in Bridgeport and commenced practice. The partnership continued for about two and a half years, when the doctor entered upon business alone, and remained by himself, in the office where he wrote his first prescription, until his death which occurred May 16, 1892.
            "Dr. Duncan served as a volunteer surgeon at Gettysburg, was captured by the Confederate troops, but succeeded in escaping. In the latter part of his life, his labores were occasionally interrupted by excursions, the winter months being spent in Florida or other parts of the South, and part of the summers in New England and Canada. (MAD: some omitted here) Dr. Duncan was a member of the Fayette County Medical Society" (MAD: more not copied, including a list of his articles published in scientific journals)
            Dr. Duncan was married March 21, 1861, to Miss Amanda Leonard, of Brownsville. They had one child, a daughter, Helen Duncan, who married J. Holmes Patton. Mr. Patton died May 3, 1898.
      Pg.250: Necrologicl Record of the Three Towns and Vicinity Since August 20, 1869: Mrs. Pracilla Duncan, died Feb. 27, 1873. (MAD: Pracilla as spelled)
            Pg.253: Dr. Wm. S. Duncan, died May 16, 1892
            Pg.254: Thomas Duncan, died Feb. 21, 1894
            Pg.254: Amanda S. Duncan, died Apr. 2, 1896
      Pg.261: Brownsville Laid out and incorporated ... laid out in 1785, incorporated in 1815. Borough Officials (in 1815) John S. Duncan & others, councilmen.
      Pg.346: Excelsior Literary Society, Brownsville, 1868 ... T. Jeff Duncan was principal of the schools at that time and was President of the society.
 

1893 "Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families" pub. by J.H. Beers (FHL book 974.882 H2 and from Byron Merrill 11/1987)
      Pg.286: Thomas Jefferson Duncan, born in borough of Bridgeport, Fayette Co. PA, Feb. 11, 1845. On his mother's side, his ancestry, which had been American-born for several generations, was of English extraction. Dr. Benjamin Stevens, his grandfather, emigrated from Maryland to Fayette Co., practiced medicine, died before he attained old age, left several children, of whom Priscilla was the mother of the subject of this sketch. His immediate paternal ancestors were Irish, but of Scotch origin. The latter part of the 18th century ... it was during these stormy times that Arthur Duncan sought refuge in America and settled in Fayette Co. PA, iron worker at forge of Dr. Stevens. Left family of 8 children, of whom following are still living: Enos Duncan, Mrs. Jane Stanford, Mrs. Elizabeth Doolittle, and Hon. Thomas Duncan, who was the oldest, is now (1893) 87 years of age, lives in Bridgeport, Fayette Co. PA, and is father of subject of this memoir. Active politician, elected commissioner of native Fayette Co., 10 years a judge; now retired. In early manhood he married Priscilla Stevens, who died in 1873 age 66. ... Five children: Sophia, now deceased, married to W.H. Laning; Elizabeth, now widow of William Worrell, decd, and resident of Bridgeport; Dr. W.S. Duncan, physician who d. 1892; Arthur Duncan who died as he was about entering manhood; and Thomas Jefferson Duncan, the subject. ... teacher ... 1893 a Methodist, 1st M.E. Church of Washington, PA. Mrs. Eleanor M. Duncan is the wife of T.J. Duncan, Esq., b. West Brownsville, Washington Co. PA, Dec. 11, 1856, family of Capt. Jonathan Morris, soldier of Rev., Dr. Jonathan Morris and Benjamin West, artist; grandfather was W.H. Miller of Barren Co. KY, b. 1800, d. Hart Co. age 82, wife Elizabeth d. Louisville KY 1857, who had 5 ch: Mary E., Emily, Louisa, Julia, and Sarah J. b. Feb. 1825, mother of Mrs. Eleanor M. Duncan. Paternal ancestry Quaker families of West & Morris; David Morris from Wales, m. Mary Phillipine ca 1685, lived Delaware River below Philadelphia, had ch. David, Isaac, Elizabeth, Mordecai and Jonathan; early settler of western PA was Jonathan Morris, grandson of Welshman David, to Washington Co. among Quakers in what is now E. Bethlehem Twp, had married sister of Benjamin West, 4 sons: Joseph, David, Jonathan d. 1838, and Jesse b. 1771. Jesse Morris m. 12 April 1749 Sarah Blackmore the day before she 17 years age; 11 children (much more not copied here) Parents of Eleanor M. were Benjamin F. Morris and Sarah J. Miller, m. 15 Aug. 1842, 9 children (not copied here). Thomas Jefferson Duncan and wife Eleanor M. have one child, dau. Ina, who is now (1893) past 11 years of age. ...
 

"20th century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens" by Joseph F. McFarland; pub. Chicago, Ill.: Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co., 1910, 1438 pgs. (LH7657, HeritageQuest images 3/2007; FHL film 1,000,576 item 1)
      Pg.553-556: THOMAS JEFFERSON DUNCAN, whose activity in the affairs of Washington, Pa., during the 34 years of his residence in that city, has made him a prominent figure in the eye of the public, is a man of many parts. As an educator, lawyer and financier he has been successful, ... He is, at the present time, (A.D. 1910), senior member of the well-known law firm of Duncan, Chalfant & Warne, with office at No. 80 South Main street, and is president of the Real Estate Trust Company.
            Mr. Duncan was born at Bridgeport, Fayette County, Pa., Feb. 11, 1845, and is a son of Hon. Thomas and Priscilla (Stevens) Duncan, both of whom were of pioneer families in that county. His paternal grandfather, Arthur Duncan, was of Irish birth, but of Scotch descent, and after being engaged in the struggle for Irish freedom against England, left his native land for America late in the 18th century and took up his residence in Fayette County, Pa., where he was employed at his trade as an iron worker at the forge of Dr. Stevens. There Hon. Thomas Duncan was born and in said county lived through a long and honorable career. He was, in early life, active as a politician and frequently was called into service as a public official, serving some years as commissioner of Fayette County, and for ten years as one of the judges of its courts. The declining years of his life were spent at the old home at Bridgeport, where he died at an advanced age. He married Priscilla Stevens, whose death occurred in 1873 at the age of about 66 years. Her father, Dr. Benjamin Stevens, emigrated from Maryland to Fayette County, Pa., at an early date and occupied a position of prominence in the community. In addition to caring for a large practice, he established and operated an iron forge. Thomas and Priscilla Duncan became parents of the following children: Sophia, deceased wife of W.H. Laning; Elizabeth, widow of William Worrell; Dr. W.S. Duncan, a physician and surgeon of wide reputation, who died in 1892; Arthur Duncan, who died in early manhood; and Thomas Jefferson, whose name heads this sketch.
            Thomas Jefferson Duncan attended the graded schools of his native town, after which he studied under the tutelage of E.N. Hartshorn, .... At the age of 18 years our subject began teaching school in Wharton Township, a mountainous region of Fayette County, and after one season thus engaged entered Mt. Union College to continue his intellectual training. The year of 1864 ... [young Duncan] voluntarily withdrew, ... with a friend, now the Rev. John H. Hartman, entered Vermillion Institute, at Haysville, Ohio ... Before the completion of his second year in the academy, his health failed and he was obliged to return to his home and recuperate. In the spring of 1866 he was sufficiently recovered to enter Washington and Jefferson College, at Washington, Pa., from which institution he was graduated with the Class of 1868. .... Upon leaving college he was chosen superintendent of schools in his native town ... He was next elected to the office of superintendent of schools at East Liverpool, Ohio, ... two years ... Pittsburg in 1872 as principal of the schools of the 15th and 17th Wards of that city. ... 4 years at Pittsburg, in the fall of 1875 was admitted to practice in the courts of Washington Co. ... In July 1880, Mr. Duncan was united in marriage with Miss Eleanor Morris, ... born in West Brownsville, Washington Co. PA, Dec. 11, 1856, and is a daughter of Benjamin F. and Sarah J. (Miller) Morris. Paternally she is of Quaker stock through both the Morris and West strains, ... (MAD: much more on the Morris family, not copied) Mr. and Mrs. Duncan reside in a beautiful home at No.214 East Wheeling street, in Washington. They have but one child, a daughter, who married John H. Donnan, Esq., a son of John W. Donnan, an attorney of Washington ... Mr. and Mrs. Duncan have been active in the work of the First M.E. Church, of which they are members. ...
 

"History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania : including its early settlement and progress to the present time, a description of its historic and interesting localities, its cities, towns and villages, religious, educational, social and military history, mining, manufacturing and commercial interests, improvements, resources, statistics, etc. : also portraits of some of its prominent men, and biographies of many of its representative citizens." (anonymous); pub. Chicago, Ill.: A. Warner & Co., 1889, 1546 pgs. (LH7643, HeritageQuest images 4/2007 & 6/2007; FHL book 974.885 H2a pt.1-2 and film 844,898 item 1 and 845,436 item 2 and 1,000,539 item 1 and fiche 6,088,079-6,088,080)
      Vol.2, pg.432-433: WILLIAM H. GUY, farmer and director of the county poor-farm, was born on the homestead of his father and grandfather, in Findlay township, Sept. 11, 1823. His parents, Josiah and Margaret (Stewart) Guy, also natives of Findlay township, were married March 17, 1814. Mrs. Guy was a daughter of James and Margaret (McCune) Stewart, who were early settlers of Findlay township. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Stewart were John, James, Richard, Thomas, Joseph, Jane, Ellen, Mary, Margaret, Ann and Sarah. Josiah Guy was born July 31, 1786, a son of William and Martha (Peoples) Guy, natives of Cumberland Co. PA, where they were married, coming to Findlay township soon after; they were Presbyterians, as were also Josiah and Margaret (Stewart) Guy, former having been an elder in old Montour Church. The last-named couple had ten children: Matilda (decd. wife of Rev. John K. Cunningham), Margaret (wife of Dr. McCandless), Rebecca J. (decd. wife of John McCandless), Sarah (wife of Andrew Burns), William H., Eleanor (wife of Morris Duncan), James (decd. in infancy), Josiah (married to Tarza Wiley), Mary E. (widow of Joseph Duncan), and Jacob J. William H. Guy finished his education at Frankfort Springs Academy and Oct. 29, 1844, married Mary Jane Duncan, who was born at Uniontown, Fayette Co. PA, Aug. 3, 1826, a dau. of Elisha and Mary (Hyatt) Duncan, natives, respectively, of Washington and Fayette Cos. PA. Mr. and Mrs. Guy had 9 children, 6 of whom are living: Anna M., wife of John S. Burns of Findlay Twp; Mary A., widow of Samuel J. Ewing; William E., manager for Colby & Co., Pittsburgh, married to Pauline Dye; Samuel J., M.D., married to Janette Parry and residing at Winfield, KS; Nettie, wife of Rev. John J. Srodes, Coraopolis; and Alexander D., a merchant at Coraopolis, married to Maggie L. Neely. Mr. & Mrs. Guy members of Presbyterian Church, in 1852 he to California, mined & kept hotel and merchandised 2 years.
 

1880 "The History of Dubuque County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., biographical sketches of citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men, history of the northwest, history of Iowa, map of Dubuque County, constitution of the United States, miscellaneous matters, &c." pub. by Western Historical (FHL book 977.739 H2t)
      Pg.784, Dubuque City: EDWARD W. DUNCAN, of the firm of Duncan & Waller, loan brokers, real estate, insurance and collection agents; 151 Fifth street, Dubuque; is a native of Fayette Co., Penn., and was born Dec. 30, 1846; his parents came to Iowa in 1857, and, in 1858, they removed to Dubuque; he grew up to manhood and received his education here; .... January, 1874, he was united in marriage to Miss Lillian J. Lawther, a native of Missouri; they have two sons .... Mr. Duncan's mother, Mrs. Anna W. Duncan, lives with him in this city; her husband, J.D. Duncan, died in 1870.
 

"Biographical Record of Salt Lake City and Vicinity Containing Biographies of Well Known Citizens of The Past and Present." pub. Chicago: National Historical Record Company, 1902. (FHL fiche 6,031,591; Placerville FHC 7/2007 & 7/2007; MAD's brief extract)
      Pg.162-163: EDGAR W. DUNCAN. The city of Salt Lake is distinguished not only for its superb climate, location, ... but also for its resolute and aggressive men of business, whose broad intelligence and enterprise have developed these forces. ... Salt Lake has been especially favored, and prominent among the financiers who have so ably directed her affairs is Edgar D. Duncan. (MAD: name as given) He came to Salt Lake City in 1894 to assume charge of the National Bank of the Republic as its Cashier, which position he held until January 10, 1901, when he resigned in order to devote his entire time and attention to the management of his wide and varied enterprises. ....
            The subject of this sketch was born in Spring Hill, Pennsylvania, December 30, 1846, and lived there until nine years old. His parents then removed to Dubuque, Iowa, and here their son spent his succeeding years until his removal to Salt Lake City in 1894. His early education, such as it was, was derived from the common schools of Dubuque, but he started on his business carrer (MAD: sic) at an early age, first selling newspapers and doing well whatever came first to his hand and learning his lessons well ... He later worked at photography, securing employment in a studio in Dubuque and at the age of seventeen started in business for himself. Owing to the Civil War which was then at its height, the demand for breadstuffs was greater than the supply, and Mr. Duncan, realizing the opportunities that this state of affairs presented, entered that business under the firm name of Thompson & Duncan, and this he followed during the entire time that the war lasted. ... he is now a man of independent wealth.
            At the termination of hostilities he disposed of his interest in the milling business and entered the real estate and banking business, in which he was signally successful and followed that calling for the thirty years he remained in Dubuque. He was for many years cashier of the Dubuque County Bank and was a director in that institution prior to his election as cashier. ...
            J.K. Duncan, the father of our subject, was a native of Pennsylvania and carried on an extensive iron business in that State. Upon his removal to Iowa he engaged in the real estate and loan business in Dubuque and followed that business until the time of his death. His family were among the early settlers of Pennsylvania and were highly respected and influential people in their community. His wife, Anna (Volephant) Duncan, and the mother of Edgar W. Duncan, was also a native of Pennsylvania and her brothers were also engaged in the iron business close to the establishment of her husband in that State. Her family were well represented in the Civil War, and, in addition to four of her sons who were enegaged (MAD: sic) in that struggle, she also had seven nephews serving in the Federal forces, one of whom rose to the rank of Brigadier General. Of her own sons, two were killed in action, while serving under General Sheridan and the other two, who also served on the Union side, were so shattered by the hardships they underwent as to be practically broken down at the time they were mustered out of the service.
            Edgar W. Duncan was married at Fulton, Missouri, on January 14, 1874, to Miss Lillian J. Lawther, daughter of Hans Lawther, who recently died at the advanced age of ninety years. By this marriage they have two children, one son, Amedee W., engaged in the insurance business, and who is married and living in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and one daughter, Edna M.
            During the seven years that Mr. Duncan served as cashier of the National Bank of the Republic, the deposits in that institution were increased under his administration .... In political life, Mr. Duncan is a believer in the principles espoused by the Republican party, ... Fraternal life, he is a leading member of the Knights of Pythias, ... he first associated himself with this order in 1878 ... during the convention of the Grand Lodge at Dubuque in that year (1888), Mrs. Duncan was made an honorary member of the order, a distinction never before accorded to any woman. ... He also holds membership in the Workmen's Order of Dubuque. He is also a member of the I.O.O.F. and the Elks Lodge. ... During the 21 years in which he was associated with Mr. John R. Waller in business at Dubuque, there was never a cross word between them. .... (MAD: Spring Hill, Fayette Co. PA; Fulton, Callaway Co. MO)
 

"The judicial and civil history of New Jersey" by John Whitehead; pub. Boston: Boston History Company, 1897, 1300 pgs. (LH 1232, HeritageQuest images 5/2007; FHL book 974.9 H2wj)
      Pg.60: S. Duncan Oliphant, Trenton, born at Franklin Forges, on the Youghiogheny (MAD: sic) River, Fayette county, Pa., in 1824, graduated from Jefferson College in Washington county, Pa., in September, 1844, ... admitted to the bar in Fayette Co. PA, ... spring of 1867 Mr. Oliphant moved to Princeton, N.J. ... (MAD: Trenton, Mercer Co. NJ)
 

"The courts and lawyers of New Jersey, 1661-1912" by Edward Q. Keasbey; pub. New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1912, 1574 pgs. (LH 1240, HeritageQuest images 5/2007; FHL book 974.9 U2k v.1-3)
      Vol.3, pg.254-255: DUNCAN OLIPHANT SR., late resident of Trenton, New Jersey, ... was born at Franklin Forges, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1824, died in Trenton, New Jersey, in October, 1904. ... (MAD: nothing said of marriage or family, more legal work not copied here) (MAD: Trenton, Mercer Co. NJ)
      Vol.3, pg.256: SAMUEL DUNCAN OLIPHANT, engaged in a general practice of his profession in the City of Trenton, was born January 4, 1862, in Uniontown, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, son of Samuel Duncan and Mary (Campbell) Oliphant. ... Mr. Oliphant married, in 1892, Margaret S. McKennan, daughter of Dr. Thomas McKennan, of Washington, Pennsylvania. Children: Mary Campbell, Margaret Stockton, Anne McKennan. (MAD: Trenton, Mercer Co. NJ)
 

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