John Duncan Biography


	This biography appears on page 786 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. I (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	JOHN DUNCAN comes of sterling Scotch lineage and is himself a 
native of the land of hills and heather, while the name which he bears 
is one which has been prominent in the history of Scotland for many 
generations. He was born in Banffshire, Scotland, on the 23d of May, 
1851, being a son of John and Elizabeth (Barron) Duncan, both of whom 
passed their entire lives in Scotland, the father having been a farmer 
by vocation. Our subject was reared and educated in his native land, 
and was there engaged in farming until 1883, when he came to the United 
States, having become convinced that in our great republic could be 
found better opportunities for the winning of independence and a 
competency through individual effort. In April of that year he arrived 
with his family in Moody county, South Dakota, where he purchased a 
farm of one hundred and sixty acres, in Elkton township, assuming an 
indebtedness for nearly the entire purchase price, his capitalistic 
resources at the time being but two and one-half dollars. He disposed 
of this property in 1890 and purchased his present well improved farm 
in Ward township, the same comprising a quarter section of most arable 
and productive land. while the place is equipped with a good dwelling 
house and other excellent farm buildings. Mr. Duncan devotes his 
attention to diversified farming and to the raising of high grade live 
stock, while he makes a specialty of breeding shorthorn cattle and 
full-blooded Clydesdale horses. He is a staunch Republican in his 
political allegiance. and has ever taken a deep interest in local 
affairs, doing all in his power to further the best interests of the 
county and state of his adoption. He has held all the township offices, 
has been an official of the school board or his district, and in 1902 
was elected a member of the board of county commissioners, of which 
position he has since been incumbent. He and his wife are prominent and 
zealous members of the Presbyterian church, and fraternally he is 
identified with Camp No. 2867, Modern Woodmen of America, at Flandreau, 
and is also a member of the Masonic order.   

	Mr. Duncan was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Minty, who 
like himself is a native of Scotland, whence she came to America in 
1885, to reside with her mother, Mrs. Joseph Morris, residing in 
Flandreau. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan have five children, all of whom remain 
at the parental home, namely: James Morris, Harry, Alfred, Marjory and 
Leslie.