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         GEORGE W. DUNCAN, a progressive farmer residing on section 5, Union Township, and a prominent citizen of Louisa County, was born in Blount County, Tenn., Aug. 26, 1828. His parents, James and Mary (Mitchell) Duncan, were also natives of that State, and the father died when our subject was six years of age. He was a farmer by occupation, and was called to his final home when in his fifty-first year. Mrs. Duncan, the mother of our subject, died in 1860, at the age of seventy-two. They were both members of the Associate Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Duncan was an Elder, and one of the liberal contributors and earnest workers. His family of nine children all grew to manhood and womanhood: Andrew, who died at the age of sixty years in Crawford County, Ill.; William, who died at the age of sixty-three, in Wayne County, Iowa; Jane, widow of George McKay, is living in Union Township, Louisa County; James K. died in Crawford County, Ill., at the age of sixty years; Samuel died in this county, where he was one of the early settlers, at the age of forty-five; Elizabeth, wife of John C. Ritchie, of Columbus City, died in 1849; Martha, wife of Mathew Edmondson, of Union Township, died aged forty-five years; John, who went to Texas in 1844, has not been heard of since the war with Mexico; George W. is the youngest of the family.

In 1851 our subject came to Columbus City Iowa, here working at the painter’s trade for one year, after which he broke prairie for three years, and subsequently entered 160 acres of land on section 5, Union Township, which has been his home for thirty-four years. Then the land was but a raw prairie, but now it constitutes one of the best farms of the township, having many valuable improvements, and now comprises 440 acres. Only by his labor, industry and good management, has Mr. Duncan been enabled to add to his original purchase, but fortune smiles upon those who are willing to help themselves, and his efforts have been crowned with success. In connection with his farming interests Mr. Duncan makes a specialty of raising fine stock, and has a thoroughbred registered Clydesdale stallion, which he keeps upon his farm. He is also a breeder of Polled-Angus cattle, and Poland-China hogs.

On the 2d of November, 1854, in Louisa County, Iowa, the marriage of our subject and Miss Keziah J. Duncan, a native of Tennessee, and a daughter of John C. Duncan, was celebrated. Their union has been blessed with a family of ten children: John C., born July 23, 1845, is now a resident farmer of Union Township; James J., born Oct. 6, 1857, also lives in Union Township; Rebecca A., born Feb. 2, 1860, died when three years of age; Mary L., born Dec. 11, 1862, died June 6, 1888; U. S. G., born April 26, 1865, died on the 6th of September of the same year; Laura M., born July 4, 1866, died at the age of sixteen; Anola J., born Dec. 25, 1868, died the following February; Mag- . . .

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. . . gie L., born Dec. 26, 1870, is at home; William I., born July 10, 1873, is also at home; Minnie G., born Aug. 5, 1876, died July 10, 1879. The mother of these children died in 1880, and Mr. Duncan was again married in March, 1885, becoming the husband of Maggie Edmondson, daughter of William Edmondson, whose sketch will be found on another page of this work. He and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church, in which he holds the office of Elder. In his political views he is a Republican, and is numbered among Louisa County’s best citizens, one who is respected by all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.