Sonoma-San Francisco County CA Archives Biographies.....Duncan, Alexander 1821 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 28, 2006, 4:48 pm

Author: Alley, Bowen & Co. (1880)

Duncan, Alexander. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this
work, is a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, and was born in August, 1821. His
instruction consisted of the ordinary school education of the country at that
time. During his youth he served an apprenticeship of six years at the
blacksmith and machinist trade. He remained in Ireland till 1840, when the
enterprising young man set sail for the glorious land of which he had heard such
marvelous stories on his native heath, and in May of that year he landed in New
York City. Here he remained until some time during the Fall of 1840, when he
went to New Orleans. Here he located and began operations in his trade. He soon
built up a snug business, and everything went along smoothly with him. In 1850,
having heard the great reports which were rife in all parts of the East at that
time concerning the great wealth and resources of California, he decided to go
to that country. In May of that year he sailed for California, via the Panama
route, arriving in San Francisco, June 15, 1850. Upon his arrival there he at
once engaged in his business, when he, by his proficiency in his work and the
untiring energy with which he pushed it along, soon had more on his hands than
he could get through with. He made a specialty of making iron door and window
shutters, for the manufacture of which his shop was so justly popular. While in
San Francisco, in the Fall of 1851, he had occasion to transfer his business
from Clay above Liedesdorf to Sansome street. This was the first building ever
moved along the streets of San Francisco. He remained in San Francisco,
following his vocation till the Fall of 1854, when he joined his brother, Samuel
M., in the milling and lumber trade at Salt Point, having purchased the interest
of Joshua Hendy. Since that time the firm have carried on the largest lumber
business in Sonoma county. He now resides in the beautifully located village of
Duncan's Mill, on the banks of the Russian river. Here he has a most handsome
and substantial residence, surrounded with elegant grounds. He has also a very
fine, large mill, with which he is doing a splendid business. This town received
its patronymic in honor of Mr. Duncan. He has ever been a leading spirit in the
enterprises which go to upbuilding and advancing the interests of the county.
August 5, 1844, in New York city, he was united in marriage with Miss Ann Jane
Halliday, a native of Ireland. She was born June 23, 1824. Eight children have
resulted from this union, namely: Jeannie, Samuel M., Hugh, Sarah, Alexander,
Alexander, Rebecca and William. Of these, Jeannie, Samuel M., and Sarah are
still living.

Additional Comments:
Ocean Township

Extracted from:

HISTORY
—OF-
SONOMA COUNTY,
-INCLUDING ITS—
Geology, Topooraphy, Mountains, Valleys and Streams;
—TOGETHER WITH—
A Full and Particular Record of the Spanish Grants; Its Early History and
Settlement, Compiled from the Most Authentic Sources; the Names of Original
Spanish and American Pioneers; a full Political History, Comprising the Tabular
Statements of Elections and Office-holders since the Formation of the County;
Separate Histories of each Township, Showing the Advancement of Grape and Grain
 Growing Interests, and Pisciculture;
ALSO, INCIDENTS OF PIONEER LIFE; THE RAISING OF THE BEAR FLAG; AND BIOGRAPHICAL
SKETCHES OF EARLY AND PROMINENT SETTLERS AND REPRESENTATIVE MEN;
—AND OF ITS—
Cities, Towns, Churches, Schools, Secret Societies, Etc., Etc.
ILLUSTRATED.
SAN FRANCISCO:
ALLEY, BOWEN & CO., PUBLISHERS.
1880.


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