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 AMUEL R. DUNCAN. Among the successful men of Humbolt Township, Samuel R. Duncan takes a high rank, he having a record in his special line second to that of no one. He was born in Tennessee, Nov. 30, 1837, and was the son of Joseph and Susan (Norwood) Duncan, of the same State. They were the parents of eleven children, five boys and six girls. Joseph Duncan came to Illinois in 1844, locating in Crawford County, where he lived the remainder of his life, his death taking place May 6, 1863. The date of his death is made memorable from the fact that, though late in the season, the snow fell steadily during the day. Mrs. Duncan still resides in Arcola, as do also her daughters, Mrs. Mary Todd and Mrs. Minerva Ritchey. Joseph and William are residents of Iowa; James, of Kansas: John is in Carmi, Ill., and Mrs. Mattie Burton resides in Danville, Ill. Samuel R. Duncan was reared to farming pursuits, and is one of the numerous examples of prosperous men whose only education was obtained in the log cabin common schools which abounded in Southern Illinois forty years ago. Sept. 6, 1860, he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret, daughter of Jesse and Charity (McMichael) Kellam. This happy event took place at the home of the bride’s parents in Richland County, this State. In the near vicinity Samuel commenced the real battle of life, renting land which he tilled for two years, then moved to Crawford County, where he again became a renter, and so continued five years: He next went to Arcola, whence after three years residence, he rented land in Humbolt Township. His leasehold continued eleven years, and at the expiration of that time he purchased the farm of 400 acres. In 1881 he raised 101 tons of broom corn, which he sold for $1.50 per ton, and with the proceeds bought the farm and yet had money remaining. At the same time his proportion of corn from renters occupying part of the land added about twenty-four tons to his stock. This extraordinary success won for him the appellation of “Broom Corn King,” which by perseverance, attended by success, he has since held. To his extensive farming, Mr. Duncan combines the work of dealing in broom corn, in which business he is an expert. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan are the parents of twelve children, named as follows: Joseph; Harper married Miss Elizabeth Grissom, and resides in Humbolt Township; Charles married Miss Fannie Ashbrook, and they are residents of Kansas; William, Frank, Jennie, Minnie, Alice, Lavin, Nellie, Nettie, and Samuel, Jr. Politically Mr. Duncan is a pronounced and uncompromising Democrat. |
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