CHARLES L. DUNCAN.

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         Charles L. Duncan, who is making a specialty of the feeding and raising of cattle and hogs on his farm in Union township, was born in Louisa county, on the 18th of August, 1867, being the second son of Samuel H. and Sarah E. (Edwards) Duncan. The father, when a child of five years, migrated from his native state of Tennessee to Iowa with his parents. He has for many years been identified with the agricultural interests of Louisa county and both he and his wife continue to reside upon the old homestead in Union township. Unto them were born nine children: J. K.; Charles L.; R. L.; Oscar E.; Guy and Garry, twins; Grace Adela; one who died in infancy; and Clyde, deceased.

         Reared on the home farm, in the acquirement of his education Charles L. Duncan attended the common schools and later pursued a high school course. He assisted in the cultivation of his father’s farm until twenty-one years of age and then began farming for himself. For the first four years he rented land, during which time he accumulated the necessary capital to enable him to become a property owner. He then bought sixty acres, upon which he has since continuously resided, and he is now making a specialty of the raising and feeding of stock. He also owns three hundred and twenty acres in North Dakota.

         On the 15th of March, 1894, Mr. Duncan and Miss Minnie May Knaub were united in marriage. Mrs. Duncan was born in Clinton county, Pennsylvania, on the 6th of October, 1873, and is a daughter of Henry and Ella Amanda (Sprenkle) Knaub. The parents, also natives of the Keystone state, came to Iowa in 1877, settling in Louisa county, where the father passed away in De- . . .

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. . . cember 6, 1899, but the mother still survives at the age of sixty-one years. Twelve children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Knaub, all of whom are living. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Duncan have been born three sons and one daughter: Lyle E., who was born on the 12th of April, 1895; Grace I., born on the 7th of March, 1897; Gerald R., whose birth occurred on Christmas day of 1900; and Clyde S, who was born on the 23d of November, 1903. Mrs. Duncan was graduated from the high school at Columbus Junction with the class of 1892, and afterward engaged in teaching until her marriage.

         Mrs. Duncan holds membership in the Reformed church, which her husband also attends, and fraternally he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, as a member of Cotter Lodge, No. 693, in which he has filled part of the chairs. Mr. Duncan gives his political allegiance to the democracy and at the present time is serving as assessor in his township, the duties of which office he is discharging in a manner highly creditable to his constituency.