Etowah County AlArchives Biographies.....Duncan, John W. 1843 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 January 11, 2012, 7:29 pm

Source: See below
Author: Smith & De Land, publishers

  JOHN W. DUNCAN was born at Kingston, Tenn., August 22, 1843. His
great-grandfather on his father's side, came from Virginia, and was killed by
the Indians in 1780, in Washington County, Tenn.

  His grandfather, Robert Duncan, moved from Washington County, Tenn., to Roane
County, that State, and died there in 1814. His father, Robert D. Duncan, was
born in Roane County, Tenn., February 5, 1808; and married Nancy K. Liggett at
Kingston, Tenn., January 10, 1839. Eight children were born unto them, five of
whom still survive. Robert D. Duncan was a merchant at Kingston, Tenn., for many
years until the breaking out of the civil war; came South at its close and
located near Fort Payne, Ala., engaging in agricultural persuit until 1878, when
he removed to Atalla, Ala., and again entered and continued in the mercantile
business until his death, which occurred in March, 1885. He was a consistent
Christian fifty-three years, being a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church. His mother, who was also a member of the same church, survived until
October 8, 1887. His grandfather on his mother's side was Henry Liggett. He
served in the War of 1812. He came from Wythe County, Va., in 1810, to Kingston,
Tenn; married Elizabeth Center, of that place, and engaged in the hotel and
mercantile business. He amassed a considerable fortune; was a prominent Mason,
and held various offices of trust, among which that of County Judge. Died in 1861.

  The subject of this sketch entered the cavalry branch of the Confederate Army
as private, at an early age, serving in Tennessee and Virginia; with General
Early in Maryland in 1884, [sic] and with Armstrong's Scouts, operating inside
the Federal lines till the war closed; was paroled at Kingston, Ga. At the close
of the war, came to Alabama, and had his first experience as a plow boy, making
a crop. Growing weary with farming, sought and obtained a position as clerk in a
railroad store, and soon after, in connection with a fellow clerk, bought a
small stock of merchandise and opened up in a tent, following the line of
construction of the Alabama Great Southern Railroad. June 1, 1870, was married
to Mary F., daughter of J. S. Morgan and Sarah J. Revel. Four children have been
born to them as the result of this union. Eula M., Oscar D., and Charles
O'Connor, still survive, while little Myrtle has gone to join the angels. In
1872, with a small stock of merchandise, he again commenced business in Atalla—a
place that was then justly celebrated for the failures of her merchants, not one
of whom up to that time had proved a success. But with untiring energy, coupled
with a determination to win, he conquered all obstacles and scored the first
success that had been achieved at that place. In 1873, in connection with John
S. Morgan, he took a contract to mine and ship the first lot of ore ever sent
from this section of North Alabama, hauling the same in ox wagons. The ore was
mined on lands owned by J. S. Morgan, the pioneer in the mineral business of
this country. He was born in Abbeville District, S. C., in 1814; came to Alabama
when a young man, and settled in what was then Cherokee County; represented that
county in the Legislature in 1851-52; was one of the founders of Gadsden, giving
her the name she bears; gave the name of Etowah to our county, and also that of
Atalla to our neighboring town. He devoted thirty years of his life to the
investigation of minerals, predicting, years ago, a great future for our
country; but he did not live to see the fulfillment of his prediction, as he
died March 22, 1881.

  Subject of this sketch, after successfully prosecuting the mercantile business
in Atalla till 1882, moved to Gadsden and continued to carry it on until January
1, 1887, when he closed out, and has since devoted his time to other duties,
being one of the incorporators and secretary and treasurer of the Gadsden Ice
Company. Is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, as is also his wife.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

Northern Alabama: Historical and Biographical
Birmingham, Ala.: Smith and De Land
1888

PART IV.
MONOGRAPHS OF THE PRINCIPAL CITIES AND TOWNS IN NORTHERN AND CENTRAL ALABAMA,
TOGETHER WITH BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF MANY OF THEIR REPRESENTATIVE PEOPLE.


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