Duncans in Clay Co. MO Histories before 1923

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

Last revised September 2, 2009

CLAY CO. MO
HISTORIES before 1923
 

1915 "History of Northwest Missouri" by Walter Williams (Los Angeles Public Library book 977.8 W728 V.3)
      Pg.1287: Henry Clay Duncan. The early family of Duncans were of Scotch ancestry, coming to this country in the middle of the eighteenth century, settling first in Virginia and thence to Bourbon Co. KY, near Paris. The name of Duncan is synonymous with thrift, enterprise and prosperity.
      Henry Clay Duncan's father was named Stephen Duncan, and was born in Bourbon Co. KY. His wife's maiden name was Nancy L. Nicholson, who was born in Trimble Co. KY. Henry Clay Duncan was born in Clay Co. MO, June 2, 1841. His father first settled in Clay County and moved to Clinton Co. MO, in 1856, where he lived up to the time of his death, 1877. The mother died in 1875.
      Henry Clay Duncan grew to manhood on a farm, and was educated in the schools of Missouri and Kentucky. On May 23, 1865, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Jane Talbott, of Clay Co. MO, where her father, John B. Talbott settled, on coming from Kentucky to Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan have four daughters, namely: Lina, Mrs. Johnson, of Rochester, NY; Nancy, Mrs. Hunter, of Kansas City, MO; Susan, Mrs. Thomson, of Kansas City; and Lulu, Mrs. Edwards, of St. Louis, MO.
      Mr. Duncan settled on his present farm in 1868, which was then unimproved and in a wild state. It is known as the Maple Hill Farm the world over, containing 1,040 acres in Clinton Co. MO, near Osborn, his postoffice. Mr. Duncan is a prominent farmer, ....
 

1920 "History of Clay Co. MO" by W.H. Woodson, pub. by Historical Publ. Co. (FHL book 977.8 H2w)
      Pg.653: ANDREW DUNCAN, ... of Platte township, is a native of Clay County and belongs to one of the pioneer families of Platte township. He was born on the old Duncan home place, November 8, 1872, a son of William and Sarah (Morris) Duncan. A biographical sketch of William Duncan appears in this volume. Andrew Duncan was reared in Platte township .... Mr. Duncan was married at Liberty, Missouri, October 27, 1897, to Miss Lena Pearl Cavender. She is the daughter of Joseph and Nannie (Wills) Cavender. (more on Cavender family) To Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Duncan have been born three children: William Truby, born February 5, 1901; Opal June, born June 27, 1908; and one died in infancy. ...
      Pg.702-3: WILLIAM DUNCAN, a successful farmer and stockman of Platte township and a veteran of the Civil War, is a native of Clay County. He was born in Platte township, November 2, 1841, a son of Jehohida and Eliza (Crow) Duncan. Jehohida Duncan was born in Bourbon Co. KY, and came to Missouri with his parents at a very early day. He was a son of James Duncan who settled in Clay County and entered 3,000 acres of government land here. Jehoida Duncan remained in this country until the discovery of gold in California, and in 1849 he crossed the plains to the Pacific coast. He died in California in 1857. Eliza (Crow) Duncan was born in Jasamine (sic) Co. KY, and was married to Mr. Duncan in Missouri. She died in 1910.
            William Duncan was one of five children born to his parents, as follows: James, died in infancy; William, the subject of this sketch; Thomas J., deceased; Mary S., married John Screwberry, of Clinton County; and Elizabeth, deceased.
            William Duncan was reared on the home farm in Platte township ... He assisted his mother on the home place and at the early age of twelve years began working out by the month to help support his mother and sisters. ... He then (1861) enlisted (in the Civil War) in Colonel Duncan's company, which was attached to General Price's command. It was known as Company G, First Missouri Regiment, under command of Colonel Cockrell. ... (more about his Civil War experiences) Mr. Duncan was married in Clay County, October 4, 1866, to Miss Sarah E. Morris, a daughter of Gilbert and Sussie (sic) E. (Commins) Morris. ... (Nothing on the children of William and Sarah E. (Morris) Duncan).
 

1885 "History of Clay and Platte counties, Missouri : written and compiled from the most authentic offical and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri; a reliable and detailed history of Clay and Platte counties .. " by National Historical Company (Los Angeles Public Library book 977.81 C622Hi; FHL film 1,000,286; also from Lu Durham 1987)
      Pg.434-5, Clay Co., Platte Twp: Stephen C. Duncan, age 7 when parents came to this county in 1840, b. Dec. 15 1833 Henry Co. KY. Son of Stephen and Lucy (Browning) Duncan, both natives of Bourbon Co., KY, the former born Oct. 17, 1797. After their marriage in the county of their birth, they removed to Saline Co. MO in 1838 and to Clay Co. in 1840, then settling in Clinton Co. MO. There the father died April 6, 1877, but his wife had died in Saline Co. in 1838. Stephen C. was 6th of 7 children; mar. (1) 5 March 1863, Mary E. Davenport (died 10 Sept. 1869); mar. (2) 10 Nov. 1870 in Clinton Co. MO to Miss Maria Winn, dau. of James and Malinda (Hutsell) Winn, orig. of Bourbon Co. KY who came to Clay Co. in 1825; Maria born and reared in Clinton Co., educated in Platte Co. Children: Lucy, Mattie, Mabel. He is popularly known as "Duff" Duncan.
      Pg.939-40, Platte Co.: THOMAS B. DUNCAN, (Farmer, Stock-raiser and Dealer, Section 10, Post-Office, Platte City). ... Since his youth Mr. Duncan has ... During the past year he and his partner, Mr. Sanders McComas, shipped from Platte City one hundred and ten car loads of hogs and cattle, ... Five miles southeast of Platte City is located the farm of Mr. Duncan -- a good place of 120 acres, well improved. Though a native of Clay Co. MO, born June 19, 1860, he has resided in Platte the most of his life. His father, James F. Duncan, a Kentuckian by birth, born in Barren county, January 26, 1816, came to Missouri when a young man and settled in Clay county in 1832. He was married in Andrew county, near Savannah, to Miss Sarah Tracy, daughter of Sebert and Anna (Scott) Tracy, both from Garrett Co. KY; Mrs. Duncan also having been born in that State but reared in Andrew county. After their marriage they continued to reside in Clay county until 1866, then settling in Platte county, where Mr. Duncan bought land and improved the farm on which the subject of this sketch now resides, and where he died January 6, 1878. He had served as a gallant soldier in the Mexican War, and also had made two overland trips to California. After spending about two years in the mines he returned by the Isthmus and New Orleans. He was a Master Mason and a consistant member of the Christian Church for nearly thirty years. To Mr. and Mrs. Duncan had been born three sons and four daughters, of whom Thomas B. was the youngest son, one younger sister being married. Thomas grew to manhood at home, receiving, besides a good common school education, the benefits of a course at Prof. Gaylord's school. On the 22d of January, 1885, Mr. Duncan was married in Clay county to Miss Bettie Ecton, daughter of Thomas B. Ecton, deceased, originally from Kentucky and one of the early settlers of Clay Co. MO; his death occurring January 29, 1881. Mrs. Duncan was born, reared and educated in Clay County. She and her mother are members of the Christian Church.
 

1897 "Annals of Platte County, Missouri : from its exploration down to June 1, 1897, with genealogies of its noted families and sketches of its pioneers and distinguished people" by W.M. Paxton, pub. by Hudson-Kimberly Publ. Co. (FHL book 977.8135 H2p and FHL film 1,321,018 item 2 and 1,000,300 item 2; also from index cards of Kit Smith 8/1983)
      Pg.650-1: 1878, Jan.: Jan. 5 -- James Duncan dies four miles southeast of Platte City. THE DUNCAN FAMILY.
      James Duncan was the progenitor of the Duncans of Platte and Clay. He was a native of Virginia, and removed to Bourbon Co. KY. He came to Clay in 1826, and settled near Smithville. He had five sons: 1, Stephen; 2, Alex. B.; 3, William; 4, Matthew; 5, Joseph. Of these, only Matthew and Joseph interest us.
      I. MATTHEW DUNCAN was born in Virginia in 1778; he married Elizabeth Breckenridge, daughter of Alexander. They came to Clay in 1826. Ch:
      1. GEO. B. DUNCAN, b. in Bourbon Co. KY, Jan. 23, 1817, and now lives in Clinton County. We have already noticed Mr. Duncan, and have given his reminiscences of the early settlement of Platte. He m'd Jan. 1, 1846, Eliza J. Berryman, dr. of Charles. Ch:
           1. Nannie Duncan, b. April 18, 1847; educated at Daughters' College; m'd Sept. 26, 1866, Frederick Krause, b. in Prussia, March 22, 1837. (See.)
           2. John H. Duncan, b. Aug. 20, 1849. He attended Daughters' College, and the Bible School ... He preached one year at Platte City, and went to Kansas, and died at Fort Scott, May 29, 1887. He m'd April 26, 1877, Maggie A. Young, b. in Bath Co. KY, a dr. of Willis, and sister of Judge Upton Young and of Senator Waller Young. She still lives with several children.
      Geo. B. Duncan m'd 2d, Mary E. Beckwith, and had:
           3. Horace B. Duncan, m'd Kate Rymond.
           4. Myrtle Duncan, m'd James B. Marr.
      II. JOSEPH DUNCAN was the other son of James Duncan (i) I desire to notice. He married Polly Ann Brooks of Clark Co. KY. Ch:
      1. JAMES DUNCAN, was b. in Montgomery Co. KY, Nov. 15, 1816; m'd March 4, 1850, in Andrew County, Sarah Tracy. In 1851 he went to California overland, and returned in April, 1853; in 1865 he purchased a farm five miles east of Platte City, and here he died Jan. 15, 1878. Mrs. Duncan was b. July 29, 1823; d. Aug. 29, 1891. They were excellent people. Ch:
           1. Ben Duncan, b. Sept. 28, 1848; m'd Dec. 25, 1877, Eliza Whittock. (See.)
           2. Mollie A. Duncan, b. Jan. 12, 1853; m'd May 3, 1873, Andrew J. Cox. Ch: ....
           3. E. Jane Duncan, b. April 14, 1855; m'd Dec. 23, 1874, James H. Wingo, b. Nov. 6, 1848. Ch: ....
           4. Joseph Duncan, m'd Nov. 2, 1880, Laura McMillan, dr. of David. Ch: (a) Lillie Duncan; (b) Joseph; (c) Winnie Duncan; (d) John.
           5. Susan Margaret Duncan, b. April 27, 1857; m'd Sept. 4, 1878, E. Frank Wingo. Ch. ....
           6. Thomas B. Duncan, b. June 29, 1861; m'd Jan. 26, 1886, Bettie Ecton, dr. of Thomas B. Ch: (a) Jas. T.; (b) Ellen Hazle.
           7. Amanda Duncan, b. July 29, 1863; m'd May 10, 1881, A. Sidney Winston. Ch: ....
      2. JOSEPH DUNCAN (ii), m'd Amanda Clardy, dr. of G.C. (See.)
      3. MARTHA JANE, m'd John M. Thatcher. (See.)
      Mr. Joseph Duncan (i) had other children, with whom we are little concerned. Their names were: 1, Bessie; 2, Judy Ann; 3, Thomas D.; 4, Abijah, 5, Nancy.
            THE BRECKENRIDGES (much more not copied)
      Mrs. Matthew Duncan, as stated above, was Elizabeth Breckenridge. She was a daughter of Alexander Breckenridge (iii), ... Mrs. Duncan's brothers and sisters were: ... III. JOHN BRECKENRIDGE, lived in Bourbon Co. KY; m'd Polly Duncan, a dr. of James (i), and sister of Matthew. ... V. EDELINE (LINA), m'd a Duncan, and lived in Bourbon Co. KY.
 

Misc. Platte Co. MO Records (from Lu Durham 3/1987)
      Some info from Paxton's "Annals of Platte Co. MO"
      Edwin D. Duncan m. 18 Dec. 1874 Cecilia Newman (dau. of Peyton and Susan Woodward Newman). Cecilia d. Nov. 9, 1879, age 20. (Paxton pg.402) Ed Duncan of Clay Co. m. Emily Newman (dau. of Wm. and Martha Woodward Newman). Family near Edgerton, MO, in 1840 (Paxton pg.403)
      James Duncan, Nov. 11, 1826, "A company of 93 emigrants from Bourbon Co. KY arrived in Clay Co. after a long and tedious overland journey and settle near Smithville. The heads of the families are: Capt. James Duncan, Matthew Duncan, Wm. Duncan, Rice Davenport, James Winn, Sarah Music (widow), James Grey (teacher)." (Paxton pg.6)
      John Duncan, b. Feb. 28, 1871 (LD:?; MAD: 1781) m. Mary Stroud (MAD: Mary Strode, of Clark Co. KY) b. July 7, 1795, d. June 2, 1827. Their dau. Ruth Ann Duncan, b. June 23, 1814 KY, d. 1864 Clay Co. MO, m. Wade Washington Scott, b. Dec. 18, 1812 KY, d. Feb. 6, 1857 Clay Co. (Paxton= Bourbon Co. KY) Their dau. Nancy F. Scott m. Richard Winfield Beery. (1984 Buchanan Co. MO Hist. pg.280)
      Joseph Duncan, native of Bourbon Co. KY, m. Mary Brooks of Clark Co. KY. Twelve children including Betsey, Judy Ann, Thomas D., Abijah, Joseph, Nancy, Martha m. John Thatcher Dec. 22, 1854. (Hist. Clay & Platte Cos. pg.970)
      Sarah J. Duncan (d. 1842) m. Wm. H. Lott, Aug. 22, 1839, Clay Co.
 

1893 "Portrait and biographical record of Clay, Ray, Carroll, Chariton, and Linn counties, Missouri : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States" pub. by Chapman Bros. (no pg.) (from index cards of Kit Smith 8/1983)
      See Thomas Duncan, b. ca 1824 near Lexington, KY; m. Mary Hall, d. 1858 Clay Co. MO. Son James A. Duncan, b. 26 Dec. 1858 Smithville, Clay Co. MO; m. 1883 Ellen Miller, dau. of Andrew Miller, b. 1858, Ray Co. MO.
 

1893 "Portrait and Biographical Record of Clay, Ray, Carroll, Chariton and Linn Cos. MO : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States" pub. Chicago, by Chapman Bros. (Los Angeles Public Library book R977.8 P853)
      Pg.241: COL. LEWIS J. WOOD ... is a native Kentuckian, and was born in Mercer County, July 12, 1812. His parents were William and Sally (Thomas) Wood, the former born in Albemarle Co. VA, and the latter a native of Culpeper County. William Wood ... in 1792 he removed to Mercer Co. KY, and there married the daughter of Richard Thomas and widow of Ambrose Gordon. ... remained in Kentucky until 1833, when he journeyed with his family to Missouri. Settling in Clay County, ... The pleasant home of William Wood and his wife was blessed by the birth of nine children, one of whom died in infancy, and four now survive, all over eighty years of age. Jesse T. .... Isaac C., deceased, was a prominent farmer of Clay County and served with efficiency and honor as Judge of the County Court. He was twice married, his first wife being Miss Lucy Curd, and his second wife Miss Louisa Duncan. William T. .... Joseph M. .... Our subject was next in order of birth. .... September 16, 1834, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Mary Duncan, who was born September 16, 1818, and is a daughter of Capt. James and Nancy (Music) Duncan, the father having been born in Virginia, and the mother in Kentucky. They emigrated to Missouri in 1823, and settled upon a large tract of Government land which Capt. Duncan had purchased. Col. Wood ... and his estimable wife are ...
      Pg.265: ROBERT BRECKENRIDGE ... Clay Co. MO, for more than three-score years, .... Our subject was born in Bourbon Co. KY, in 1825, and was the son of Edlyn and Eleanor (Duncan) Breckenridge, early and honored pioneer settlers of Missouri. Robert Breckenridge was but four years of age when his parents brought him to their new home in Clay County. .... His estimable wife was Miss Elizabeth Young, a daughter of Thomas and Abigail (Strode) Young, ....
      Pg.323: STEPHEN C. DUNCAN ... of Clay Co. MO, ... one of the early pioneers of the State. .... Mr. Duncan was born December 15, 1833, in Henry Co. KY. His parents were Stephen and Lucy (Browning) Duncan, both natives of Bourbon County, where the father was born October 17, 1797, and the mother several years later. The father, who had remained with his parents until his marriage, shortly after removed to Saline Co. MO, and in 1838 bought an improved farm ... and in December, 1840, came to Clay County, ... Upon this homestead Stephen Duncan, Sr., continued to reside for fifteen years, then located in Clinton Co. MO, where he died April 6, 1877. ... He was twice married and unto him and his first wife were born seven children: Thaddeus C.S., deceased; James W.; Sarah E., who has been thrice married, first to William Lynch, then to Mr. Williams and now the widow of Mr. Tuggle; Lucy twice married, her first husband, Matthew Duncan, her second, Lloyd Browning; John S., deceased; Stephen C., our subject; Mary E., deceased, wife of John W. Brenham. The mother of our subject died and was buried in Saline County, and in 1839 the father married Nancy Nicholson, a daughter of John Nicholson, and to them were born eleven sons and daughters, five of whom lived to attain their majority: Henry C.; Pembroke S.; Mattie, deceased wife of Joseph Glossip; Benjamin M. and Nannie. Father Duncan buried his second wife in April, 1875. The paternal grandfather, James Duncan, was a native of Culpeper Co. VA, where he grew up to manhood and married Miss Strode. Farming was the occupation of his life and he owned a two hundred and forty acre farm in Kentucky, to which he removed in a very early day. He was a man of resolute energy and actively participated in the War of 1812. Our subject ... March 5, 1863, Mr. Duncan was united in marriage with Mary E. Davenport, a daughter of Rice B. and Rebecca (Winn) Davenport. This estimable lady died September 10, 1869, leaving no children. .... November 10, 1870, our subject was married to Miss Maria Winn, a daughter of James and Malinda (Hutsell) Winn. ....
      Pg.327: S.E. BRECKENRIDGE, ... Clay County, was born in Bourbon Co. KY, in 1828, and the following year was brought by his parents to Clay County. ... Our subject is the son of Edlyn and Eleanor (Duncan) Breckenridge, natives of Virginia, who early removed with their parents to Kentucky. Edlyn Breckenridge was born December 7, 1788, and the birth of his wife occurred January 17, 1795. ... War of 1812 ... He and his wife were ... After the marriage of our subject (1858) his parents made their home with him until their death. ....
 

1922 "History of Daviess and Gentry Cos. MO" Daviess Co. by John C. Leopard & Buel Leopard; Gentry County by R.M. McCammon and Mary McCammon Hillman, pub. by Historical Pub. Co. (FHL book 977.81 H2l and film 1,000,288 item 3)
      Pg.858-9: FRANK W. DUNCAN, ... living near New Hampton in Gentry County, comes of an old Kentucky family. Both his paternal grandfather, Stephen C. Duncan, and his maternal grandfather, Isaac Wood, were natives of Kentucky, who came to Clay County in the very early days of the nineteenth century. Stephen C. Duncan settled near Liberty and Isaac Wood bought land close to Smithville. The two families were connected through the marriage of Stephen C. Duncan's son, James W., born in Clay County in 1826, and Mary A. Wood, the daughter of Isaac Wood, born in Clay County also. ...
 

1882 "History of Gentry and Worth Cos. MO" pub. by National Historical (FHL book 977.81 H2g)
      Pg.304-5, Gentry Co., Athens Twp: JAMES W. and JOHN H. DUNCAN are of Scottish descent, their ancestors three generations back having emigrated from Scotland and located in Virginia, where William Duncan was born. Francis Duncan, the son of William, and the father of James W. and John H. Duncan, was born in Kentucky, and was married in "Trumbull" County, of that state, to Miss Patience Coleman, a native of Virginia, also of Scotch ancestry. The family of Francis Duncan consisted of three children, James W. and John H. being the only ones now living. They were born in Trumbull Co. KY, the former April 21, 1837, and John on October 28, 1840. They moved to Missouri with their parents in the year 1842, locating in Clay County. In the spring of 1844 they went to Harrison County, and in the fall of 1846 came to Gentry, ...
 

1923 "History of Clinton and Caldwell Cos. MO" Clinton Co. by Carrie Polk Johnston, Caldwell Co. by W.H.S. McGlumphy; pub. by Historical Publ. Co. (FHL book 977.81 H2j)
      Pgs.517-519, Clinton Co., contain an article on JOHN BELL SCOTT, farmer, Lathrop, MO, whose great-grandfathers William Scott died of cholera in Bourbon Co. KY on 26 June 1833, aged 67 years, and John Duncan died of cholera in Bourbon Co. KY on 27 June 1833. Their children, Washington Scott, born in Bourbon Co. KY, Dec. 18, 1812, died February, 1857, Clay Co. MO, married on 23 April 1835 to Ruth Ann Duncan who died September, 1864, Clay Co. MO. The family had come to Clay Co. in 1839.
 

1881 "The history of Clinton County, Missouri : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches ... statistics ... etc." pub. by National Historical Co. Vol.II (no title page giving publisher or author; CA State Library, Sutro Branch)
      Pg.131, Platte Twp. H.C. DUNCAN, farmer, p.o. Osborn, born Clay Co. MO on June 2, 1841; father Jacob Duncan was born Oct. 17, 1797, native of Bourbon Co. KY; to MO in 1838, to Saline Co.; then Clay Co., then Clinton Co. in 1855, died April 6, 1877; his wife, mother of the subject, was born in Trumbull Co. OH on Oct. 15, 1814, and died April 13, 1875. H.C. Duncan sold goods at Osborn during the war, having moved to Clinton Co. on April 24, 1855. He was married May 23, 1865, to Miss Lizzie Talbott, native of MO, born Oct. 11, 1844. They have had 3 children, all living: Lena, b. Aug. 15, 1867; Nannie, b. Aug. 6, 1871; and Susie K., b. April 4, 1880. (MAD: H.C. Duncan was son of Stephen Duncan; 1893 "Port. & Biog. Record Clay ... Co. MO" and 1915 "Hist. NW MO" both give Henry Clay Duncan's father as Stephen Duncan, not Jacob Duncan, same dates)
      Pg.131, Platte Twp. JOSEPH DUNCAN, farmer, p.o. Osborn, born Feb. 23, 1823 in Henry Co. KY, reared at birthplace; came west in 1842 and settled in Clay Co. MO. To CA in 1850 for 9 months, then returned; spring 1852 settled where he now resides. He married Aug. 5, 1846, to Miss Julia J. Duncan, native of Clay Co. MO, born 14 April 1832. Eleven children, 7 now living: Seth, L.E. (now Mrs. Thomas Turner), Joseph, Mary B. (now Mrs. William Metcalf), Hattie E., Charles S. and Daisy. Mr. D. for 35 years in Christian Church.
 

1902 "Progressive Men of the State of Montana" pub. by A.W. Bowen & Co. (FHL book 978.6 D3p and FHL film 1,000,176; Los Angeles Public Library book 978.6 P96A; also from index cards of Kit Smith 8/1983)
      Pg.610: (Gallatin Co. MT) B. SCOTT DUNCAN -- In the blood of B. Scott Duncan, of Gallop, Mont., the gallantry of Kentucky and of South Carolina commingle; ... he has the ... traits of character which are indigenous to the two states, and which were emphasized in the career of his father, Theodore Duncan, a native of Kentucky, and are still prominent in the makeup of his mother, born Henrietta Johnson, of South Carolina, who is yet living in Missouri ... Mr. Duncan is a native of Clay Co. MO, where he was born April 16, 1856. His grandfather was a prominent participant in the Black Hawk war, and his son, the father of our subject, removed as a child to Missouri, where he remained until 1849, and then joined in the eager rush to California, making the trip by the isthmus route. He was successful in his search for the yellow metal, and only remained on the Pacific slope a year, returning to Missouri and settling down to quiet life on a farm, ... In 1861, when the Civil war broke out, ... he raised a company at Smithville and Liberty, Mo., for service in the Confederate army, and as their captain led them to the field. In June of that year he was promoted to the rank of colonel, and the same day was killed at the battle of Blue Mills.
      Mr. Duncan, our subject, spent his school days in Missouri, and remained on the homestead until 1863, when ... his mother removed the family to a farm belonging to her brother in Platte county, about five miles from her own home. Here she lived until 1872, when her son Scott, having rented a place not far distant, they all moved to it and spent the next ten years there, ... In 1882, having placed his mother and sister in a comfortable home in Smithville, Mo., he started for Butte, Mont., where he arrived ... until 1888, when he homesteaded and pre-empted his present location on the West Flathead, about fourteen miles northeast of Belgrade .... Mr. Duncan was married May 2, 1889, to Miss Della S. Parsons, of Gallatin valley, a daughter of Wm. B. Parsons, a native of Massachusetts, and Mary (Street) Parsons, a sister of Thornton A. Street, of Belgrade, of whom more extended mention is made in another part of this work. (MAD: not copied) Mr. and Mrs. Duncan have four children: Ray Theodore, born September 15, 1891; Hazel Lucille, April 30, 1894; Henrietta, born February 23, 1897, and Scotta Marie, July 10, 1900. ....
 

"A Memorial and biographical history of the coast counties of central California : illustrated : containing a history of this important section of the Pacific coast from the earliest period of its discovery to the present time, together with glimpses of its auspicious future, illustrations and full-page portraits of some of its eminent men, and biographical mention of many of its pioneers, and prominent citizens of to-day" ed. by Henry D. Barrows; pub. Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co., 1893, 459 pgs. (LH11186, HeritageQuest images 4/2007; FHL film 468,737 item 4)
      Pg.391: LEWIS S. WOOD, of Hollister, is well known as an energetic business man and farmer. He has resided in California since 1870, and at Hollister since 1872. A native of Clay county, Missouri, Mr. Wood was born near Smithville, September 24, 1850. His parents, Isaac and Louisa (Duncan) Wood, were natives of Kentucky, and the latter was of Scotch descent. The father was a farmer by occupation. Lewis S. Wood was about nineteen years of age when he landed in California. ... (MAD: Hollister, San Benito Co. CA)
      Mr. Wood has been twice married. At Tres Pinos, in 1877, he wedded Miss Mattie S. Newkirk, a native of Utah. She died at Hollister, May 16, 1887, leaving four children, Ellen E., Albert, Lewis Lee, and Mattie E. September 10, 1889, he was joined in marriage to Rose A. Ford at Council Bluffs, Iowa. Mrs. Wood is a native of Liberty, Missouri, and, previous to her marriage, was a popular and successful teacher at that place.
 

1881 "The Encyclopedia of the new west : containing fully authenticated information of the agricultural, mercantile, commercial, manufacturing, mining and grazing industries and representing the character, development, resources and present condition of Texas, Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, and Indian Territory; also, biographical sketches of their representative men and women" ed. by William S. Speer and John Henry Brown (FHL film 1,000,598 item 2)
      Pg.65-6, Arkansas: Hon. John W. Duncan, Conway [Faulkner Co.]. John W. Duncan was born Nov. 27, 1831, at Elkton, Todd Co. KY. His grandfather, William Duncan, of Scotch descent, was a farmer in fine circumstances and moved from VA to KY, settling in Todd Co., ... died in Todd Co. about the year 1820. His father, William Duncan, born in Todd Co. in 1808, an industrious farmer ..., died at the age of 70. His mother, Mary Hollingsworth, was a native of Maury Co. TN, born in 1813, the daughter of John H. Hollingsworth, a wealthy farmer. She was educated and married at Elkton, KY, and is now living at Springfield [Conway Co.], AR. William and Mary Duncan had ten children: John W., Jeptha H., Elizabeth, Samuel K., James T., Winfield S., Emily E. (wife of J.M. Allinder), Jasper, Mary (wife of R.S. Moses), Leander V., and Nancy (wife of C.F. Moses). Jeptha H., Elizabeth and Winfield S. are dead. The maternal grandmother of John W. Duncan was a Thompson. His mother is the niece of Colonel Samuel Gordon, of TN, who figured in the war of the Revolution. Young Duncan was reared on a farm and ... Soon after he attained his majority he began teaching school in Todd Co. ... then to Clay Co. MO, then to KS as a member of a US surveying party, sectionizing public lands, joined the KS militia in 1855, following winter taught school in Clay Co. MO; in 1856 returned to KY and read law under J.G. Hollingsworth at Elkton, admitted to the bar in 1858. Mr. Duncan in 1859 visited his uncle, Jeptha Hollingsworth, of Madison Co. MS, was advised to practice profession at Springfield, AR, and located there latter part of 1859, for 13 years; in 1876 to Conway, Faulkner Co., where now resides. From July 1861 to 1865, Mr. Duncan was captain in 10th AR Conf. infantry, ... 18 months in prisons of Alton IL and Johnson's Island, OH. Held offices 1857-8 in Elkton; 1866 JP at Springfield, AR ... Mr. Duncan was married Dec. 11, 1860, in Springfield, AR, to Miss Alma C. Vann, born in Evansville, IN, Aug. 10, 1830, a daughter of Absalom Vann, a native of SC and a farmer; her mother Delight Rogers was native of CT and she was descended from the same family of which John Rogers, the Christian martyr of England, was a member. By this marriage Senator Duncan and wife have three children: William H. born Dec. 23, 1861, now attending AR University at Fayetteville; Eliza born Jan. 8, 1866; Annie born April 8, 1867; all natives of Springfield; they lost one child that died in infancy. ... Mason, Whig, Methodist Episcopal Church South.
      MAD: William Duncan, born June 18, 1808, died Sept. 28, 1878, mar. Feb. 12, 1831 Todd Co. KY to Mary Hollingsworth, born Nov. 23, 1813, died Sept. 20, 1884. They are buried in the Springfield Cem. He is said to be the son of William Duncan who married second to Mrs. Asenith Hollingsworth Bingamon ("Asineth Bingham") on 18 June 1814 in Logan Co. KY and died there in 1817; from pgs.352-3 "Faulkner Co. (AR), Its Land and People" by Faulkner Co. AR Historical Society, 1986 (FHL book 976.774 H2d)
 

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