620 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY

before he died Duncan compiled a hymn-book, which was in the hands
of the publisher at the time of his death, the selections for which evinced
the good taste and fine discrimination of the author. It is said, too, that
he was the writer of one or more tracts setting forth the distinctive
tenets of his church and the Bible authority in support of the same. At
this day, however, there is not known to be a copy of any one of these
productions in existence, nor can the family give any definite account
of them from recollection. In 1856 George W. Duncan was elected to
the state legislature, jointly with James W. Modesitt, of Posey town-
ship, the county under the apportionment of that time having been en-
titled to two members in the lower house of the general assembly.
Though not a man of education and polish, Duncan ranked above the
average in native talent and ability. Among his neighbors he was a
moulder of public sentiment, commanding their respect in the capacity of
teacher, minister and justice of the peace. As a legislator he was
vigilant, argumentative, and resourceful in the philosophy and logic of
common sense.
	Of the sixteen children of Isaiah Duncan, eight of whom were born
before and eight after coming to Indiana, fifteen grew up to manhood
and womanhood, one dying in infancy. He was twice married, there
having been six children with the first wife and ten with the second.
They were, Elizabeth C., Atha R., Mahala P., Henry 0., Rebecca J.,
Hannah B., Ezra 0., Eli M., Isaiah H., Samuel F., Amos B., Mary A.,
George L., William C., Obadiah L., of whom Isaiah H., Amos B.,
Oladiah L. survive. These are the second generation in the history of
the family in their adopted state, from whom have descended the third
and fourth generations.
	While the Duncan family has not in any special sense distinguished
itself, neither collectively nor individually, it has an enviable record
for industry, sobriety, and good citizenship. None have ever been
arraigned in the courts of the county charged with crimes or misde-
meanors. None have ever been known as inebriates. The names of
none of them are to be found upon the divorce dockets. None have
sought more congenial climes in liquidation of their obligations. In
evidence of the public appreciation and confidence they have been hon-
ored with positions of trust and responsibility. Both Henry 0. Duncan
and Ezra 0. Duncan were elected justice of the peace. In 1869 Isaiah
H.	Duncan was elected township assessor and consecutively re-elected,
covering a period of nine years’ service as principal, followed by five
years more as deputy assessor and real estate appraiser, a total of four-
teen years’ service in this capacity. Subsequently, in 1892, W. S. Duncan
was elected to the same position. In 1872, Henry 0. Duncan was hon-
ored with the nomination of his party for county treasurer, but in the
campaign of that year no one could have been elected on the Democratic
ticket to any office in the county.
	There is one thing to be said of the Duncan family, in the social
sense, which can not be said of any other family in the history of the
county, perhaps not within the state. Three of the six daughters were
of one mind in declining matrimony and devoting their life service to
the parental household, the three fulfilling their tenure of life at prac-
tically the same age. They were Mahala P., born February 16, 1813,
who died April 2, 1876, aged 63 years, 1 month and i6 days; Rebecca J.,
born December 18, 1819, who died February 28, 1880, aged 6o years,