Obituary of John W. Duncan, 1915 - Buckingham Co. VA "The News Herald", Hillsboro, Ohio, Thursday, February 11, 1915. John W. Duncan was born Aug. 6 1838 in Buckingham Co., Va. He emi- grated to this state with his parents, Thomas and Martha Duncan, in the 1841, when he was but three years old. They settled in Dodson township, not far distant from where he died at 9 0'clock Thursday, Dec. 31, 1914 at the well advanced age of 76 yrs., 4 mo., 25 da. Grandpa, as he was familiarly called, was the youngest of a family of seven children, all of whom have preceded him to that better land, except Thomas Duncan, of Butler, BatesCo., Mo., and Mariah Cadwallader, of Joliette, Ill. The fountain of a noble life was laid among hardships and trials encountered in the days of the early settlers. It could be nothing else but determined perseverance and rugged struggle with nature. Never once in all the years of his long life did he fal- ter or seek to evade the path of duty marked by destiny for his journey. And when we come in close com- munion with God, and realize that na- ture is his handywork, it is only then that we can understand why he, in his early youth, obeyed the Master's com- mand, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God," and was united with the Dod- sonville M. E. Church. But in later years he became one of the Charter members who made possible the erec- tion and sustenance of the Christian Union Church of Allensburg, of which he has been a faithful member ever since. When the last taps were sounded, and he was called to go, he no n- eringly followed the precepts of his Master, and so unfailingly had he fol- lowed the paths of righteousness, that he stepped peacefully into eternity to meet his Savior. He was united in marriage to Eliza- beth Henderson on Nov. 8, 1860. To this union were born two sons, Charles and Robert, Of Allensburg, and one daughter Mrs. Effie Van Winkle of New Market. There also survive to cherish the memory of Grandpa Dun- can, eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren. It is true that Grandpa has left us, but while we hon- estly experience a feeling of joy, the good man will suffer no more but have life everlasting. Yet a spirit of lone- liness surrounds us, especially Grand- ma, for no more shall she grip the har- dened hand of this honest man, no more shall she hear his kindly words of greeting. Yet we feel that we should offer a regret at this time it would be be- cause we have not heeded his sincere admonitions; because we have not ac- cepted his experience at its true worth. But even now itis not too late, for we may yet gather inspiration from the life of Uncle John. We may follow in his footsteps, though hard it may seem, and strive to emulate the xhar- actor of the departed spirit. Let his life be a light to our feet, a guide to our faltering steps, that we may strive on to gain the reward at the end of the journey and hear the Master's voice as Grandpa heard it, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." Submitted by Margie Taylor (Submitter notes: My Great Great Grandfather, John William Duncan, was born in Buckingham County, Virginia. They came to Ohio in 1841. John W. Duncan is the great grandson of Jacob Duncan Sr., who lived in the courthouse in Buckingham when it burned.) **************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. ****************************************************************