Biography - James A. Duncan
JAMES A. DUNCAN. Whether our subject can trace a lineal descent from
Duncan, King of Scotland, whom Holinshed has chronicled and Shakespeare has
made famous in the wonderful tragedy, Macbeth, the writer knows not, but it
is a good name, and one which he who bears it, may be proud of. Doubtless of
Scotch descent, our subject's father was born in Delaware County, Pa., in
1788. His mother who in her maidenhood was Mary K. McKeever, was a native of
Virginia. After marriage, they first settled in Belmont County, Ohio, and
then came to Shelby County, this State, locating in Richland Township in
1838, where both parents passed away. The mother died April 30, 1862. The
father survived her two years, his decease taking place April 10, 1864. Mrs.
Duncan, our subject's mother, was of Irish ancestry.
James Duncan, Sr. was the father of six children which included four sons
and two daughters. Our subject was the eldest of this little brood and was
born in Belmont County, Ohio, August 27, 1834. The original of the sketch
was but four years old when his parents removed to Shelby County, and here
he grew to manhood in Richland Township, where he has always made his home,
so that he has a pretty accurate idea of what pioneer life is, although the
country was not such a wilderness in his boyhood as it was on the coming
hither of some of the older settlers. When he became old enough to enjoy
society, the district in which he lived was well settled, and boasted some
of the best people in the State.
In 1859 Mr. Duncan was married in Ash Grove Township to Miss Nancy J. Evans,
who was a native of Shelby County. She was the mother of three children
whose names are John, Robert and Caledonia. John married Miss Lillie Wilhite
and made a home of his own. Caledonia is the wife of Charles Rubel. Mrs.
Nancy J. Duncan died in Richland Township, August 25, 1867. Two years later,
January 27, 1869, he was married to Mrs. Hannah Stevens. She was the widow
of Lowrey Stevens and a daughter of Isaac and Rebecca Jones, and was born in
Butler County, Ohio, August 21, 1836. By this marriage, our subject is the
father of one child whose name is James O.
The original of our sketch has always followed the pursuit of agriculture.
He settled on the farm where he now lives in the spring of 1857. During the
last years of the war, he responded to the call for volunteers and enlisted
in September 1864, in Company B. of the Twelfth Illinois Regiment, and
served for somewhat over three months. He of whom we write takes a fairly
active part in political matters. He is a follower of the Reform party, his
political theories being all that the name of his party implies. The esteem
and confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens is evidenced by the
fact that he has been elected to many important local offices, he has been
Highway Commissioner and School Director for a number of years and each of
these positions has been filled to satisfaction of his constituents. He
shows his loyality to his calling by allying himself to the Farmers' Mutual
Benefit Association. He with his wife, has ever taken an active part in
religious affairs. They are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church
in which they are ardent workers. He has been Steward of his church for
several years and also has held the position of Trustee.
Mr. Duncan is the owner of an excellent farm comprising two hundred and
eighty acres of land, upon which have been placed the best of improvements.
The latest and most improved farm implements are in use upon his farm, to
further his efforts in making the place a model of agricultural neatness and
productiveness, and this he has fairly accomplished, the place being worthy
of attention to all who lake a pleasure in advanced ideas regarding
agriculture which is conducted in a scientific way. There are good buildings
upon the place, his residence being a home in every sense of the word,
architecturally attractive and practically comfortable. His barns and
outhouses are neat and of good size.
Extracted 26 May 2018 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, pages 535-536.
