Francis Alexander Duncan 1824-1894

DUNCAN, SHAW, EASTON

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 3/16/2024 at 10:49:38

The Wapello Republic, Wapello, Iowa
Thursday, February 8, 1894
Page 1

At 6:30 o'clock last Friday morning, at his home in Columbus Junction, occurred the death of Hon. F. A. Duncan. He had been in failing health for more than a year past and of late confined pretty closely to his home, but still able to be about the house. The day before his death he walked out on the back porch, and thirty minutes before his death, after a good night's sleep, arose from and returned to his bed without assistance; but almost immediately after, his wife heard a choking, gasping sound which aroused her and he rapidly sank away apparently without pain.

Francis Alexander Duncan was born in Blount county, East Tennessee, June 9th, 1824, of sturdy Scotch stock. At the age of 20 he came to Columbus City township, this county, with a colony of friends, to endure the hardships of frontier life. In November, 1846, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Adeline Shaw, who died in October, 1858. He was again married in 1868 to Miss Ellen Easton, of New York. Besides the widow there survives him eight children, six sons and two daughters.

Though born in the south he was an earnest anti-slavery man, first a member of the free soul party but among the first to enroll with the Republic, Wapello, Iowaan, and one of its most constant and staunch supporters. His fellow citizens recognized his ability, his integrity and his industry and several times elevated him to positions of trust and influence; being repeatedly elected to the lower house of general assembly and in 1883 was elevated to the senate. The funeral serves occurred Sunday afternoon at the U. P church, Columbus City, where for more than thirty years Mr. Duncan had been a ruling elder.