John Calvin Duncan 1846-1917

DUNCAN, TEDFORD, STAPP, SANDS, SMILEY

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 5/31/2023 at 06:42:07

Columbus Gazette, Columbus Junction, IA
Thursday, August 2, 1917
Page 1

J. Cal Duncan, died at his home in Columbus City, Saturday morning, July 28, 1917, at 1 o'clock, following an illness of several months. John Calvin Duncan was born in Monroe county, Tennessee, September 6, 1846. His parents were John and Rachel (Duncan) Duncan, also natives of Tennessee. The father John Duncan was an ardent Republican and very much opposed to slavery and it was for the purpose of getting his family away from the influence of slavery that he came with his family to Iowa in 1846 locating in this county were he purchased 290 acres of land.

At the age of sixteen, John Calvin, volunteered in September 1861 for service in the Civil war becoming a member of Co. C. of the 11th Iowa. He served with that command for three years and two months participating in all the engagements of his regiment. In October of 1865 he was mustered out a Davenport and returned home.

After his return home his father agreed to give him all the raw land which he could break and take care of if he would agree to pay the taxes and keep the fences in good repair. He accepted and immediately began breaking the sod with a team of oxen. In three years he had acquired sufficient money to purchase eighty acres. In 1906 he retired from the farm and moved to Columbus City where he made his home until his death.

Mr. Duncan was twice married On the 20th of April, 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Jane Tedford, who died at the age of 32 years. Unto them four children were born, all of whom survive, James Carson Duncan, of Columbus Junction, Mrs. Carl J. Hamil, of Jamesport, Missouri; Mrs Harry Stapp, of Longmont, Colorado and John F. Duncan, of Ault, Colorado. Following the death of his first wife he was again married April 20th, 1881 to Miss Martha Sands. To them were born two children, Nathaniel Duncan, of Columbus City and Mrs. Robert Smiley, of Columbus Junction who with the mother survive to mourn his death. He is also survived by one brother, F. M. Duncan of this county.

He was a member of the United Presbyterian church. He served the county efficiently for nine years as county supervisor and also held a number of other offices of trust and responsibility in the community. The funeral service was held from the home at Columbus City Sunday afternoon at three o'clock conducted by Rev. S. Boyd Johnson with interment in the Columbus City cemetery.