Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Duncan, S Finley, D D S 
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com September 5, 2007, 11:18 pm

Author: Biographical Publishing Company

S FINLEY DUNCAN, D. D. S. In his chosen profession Dr. Duncan has a high 
standing in Joliet. His constant study of the science of dentistry (for he has 
ever been a student), his extensive practice giving him a thorough practical 
information, and his acknowledged skill in the treatment of cases of an 
unusually intricate nature have given him a just prominence among the people 
of his home city. Since he opened his office in Joliet in 1888 he has 
established an important and constantly increasing practice, having retained 
his former patrons at Wilmington as well as gained many new ones. Every 
improvement in the science of dental surgery (and there have been many of 
recent years) receives his thoughtful consideration, and, if approved upon 
study, is adopted in his practice. He is therefore thoroughly up-to-date in 
his work. He has been a contributor to the literature of his profession, 
although the demands of his practice are such that he has little time to 
devote to the preparation of articles. Since 1881 he has been a member of the 
Illinois State Dental Society, before which he has been a clinician and has 
also read papers that attracted considerable attention. At one time he held 
office as vice-president of the association.

The first member of this branch of the Duncan family in America was James 
Duncan, who came from Scotland and settled in Perry County, Pa. His son, 
Samuel, was born  in Pennsylvania, where he followed the miller's trade in 
early life. In 1854 he moved to Indiana, settling first in a county adjoining 
Henry County, to which he subsequently removed. He rented a grist and sawmill 
which was operated by water power, and after some years bought the property. 
In politics he was a stanch Republican. A prominent Methodist, he was an 
officer in both church and Sunday-school. In the Odd Fellows' order he took 
the highest degrees. At the time of his death, in 1895, he was eighty-five 
years of age. He was twice married, and by his first wife had four daughters, 
one of whom, Hannah J. Duncan, survives; while by his second wife, Margaret 
Duffy, of Ohio, he had five children, four of whom attained mature years, 
viz.: Davidson D., who is engaged in the milling business at the old 
homestead; John Wesley, who died in infancy; Beverly W., a business man of 
Markle, Ind.; Joseph Trimble, a farmer and stock-raiser of Henry County, Ind.; 
and S. Finley, of this sketch.

In Knightstown, Ind., near where Dr. Duncan was born December 2, 1856, he 
received his education and passed the years of youth. He was eighteen when he 
took up the study of dentistry. After spending two years in practical work in 
an office he entered the dental department of the University of Michigan, 
class of 1877. He began practice at Lewisville, Ind., but in February, 1879, 
came to Will County and settled in Wilmington, building up a good practice in 
the ensuing years. For the purpose of taking a special course of study, in 
1887 he went to Chicago, where he studied in the Chicago College of Dental 
Surgery, from which he took the degree of D. D. S. 

In September, 1888; he came to Joliet, where he erected a residence in 1898, 
and owns other real estate. From boyhood he has been identified with the 
Presbyterian Church. He was an elder of the congregation at Wilmington, and 
for several years served as Sunday-school superintendent. October 18, 1881, he 
married Louise, daughter of Bryan Fisher, of Wilmington. They have two 
children, Margaret Louise and Hubert Fisher.

Additional Comments:
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing 
Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical 
Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900

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