William R Duncanson

DUNCANSON ORR

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 4/20/2010 at 18:20:42

Woodbury County History 1984

W R Duncanson
By Mrs Lawrence E Todd

Section 22, Rutland Township was first owned by the English who were early settlers, and land owners in the area. In 1885, three families from Jones County, Iowa, settled this section which was previously purchased from the English.

The families were William DeWitt, S V Lambert and W R Duncanson families. Andrew Duncanson, the father of W R, was a land owner in this area and a frequent visitor of his son. After the death of his wife this was his home when he wwas not traveling. He made trips to Oregon and to Scotland. He crossed the Atlantic thirteen times.

William and his wife, Mary Jane Orr Duncanson, began their married life in Jones County, Iowa, in 1879. In the spring of 1885, they moved to this area. William came with his stock and equipment in a freight car to Correctionville, the end of the rail line. His wife, and four children, Thomas, David, Josie and Willie came by passenger train. The children caught the measles on the train. After their arrival, Willie died. The mother stayed home with the other sick children while the father took the body to Rock Branch where a minister conducted burial services. This was a sad beginning in a strange community.

William developed this original farm and later purchased land across the road. He built and owned, for sometimes, a livery barn in Pierson in the spot where the old hotel now stands.

William was interested in the good of the community. He was frequently a school diector and a delegate to Republican county conventions. He was a member of IOOF and Modern Woodman lodges.

Children born in Rutland Township were Jeannette, Anna, Roy, Marion and McKinley. Rutland Township schooling began one and one-half miles south of the home. After a few years a new school was started one-half mile north of the home. Most of the children continued their education in Pierson High School. The three older daughters lived in homes in Pierson and went home for weekends. Josie, Jeannette and Marion were rural teachers. Josie attended Cedar Falls College. Jeannette and Marion attended summer school in Sioux City. David completed his education at a business school in Des Moines.

Thomas Duncanson farmed at home and alter moved to Lewistown, Montana, where he farmed and worked in a lumber yard. In Montana he met and married Della Davis.

Josie Duncanson married George Hathaway, a Rutland Township farmer. David Duncanson married Emma Erb. Their life was spent on a Wagner, South Dakota farm.

Jeannette Duncanson married Ellis Diller, a Grand Meadow farmer. Their family of three daughters and son were graduates of Grand Meadow School.

Anna and Roy chose to spend their life on the home place. Marion Duncanson taught school and later married Clarence Ulmer. They farmed in Section 11, Rutland Township near Pierson.

McKinley Duncanson married Pearl DeWitt. McKinly was a World War I veteran. They faremd the Duncanson farm west of the home place located in Section 21 of Rutland Township. On of their grandsons, DavidTodd, now farms the former Duncanson land.

The present descendants of this family are scattered. They are farmers, teachers in university, high school, and elementary schools, mechanics, nurses, business managers, electricians and house wives.

The interest in various communities is shown by participation in church, organizations and local governments.

Local members of this family are Marion Ulmer, Lela Nafe, Wilma Todd, David Todd, Matthew and Kathleen Todd, Peryl Hathaway and Howard Hathaway.