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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Drew County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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James T. Duncan is a native Kentuckian, born in Logan County, October 5, 1852, his father, James G. Duncan, being also born and reared there, the former event taking place September 6, 1822. The father was a farmer and tanner by occupation, and in 1852 removed to the State of Arkansas, and settled near Hamburg, in Ashley County, where he was engaged in farming for about seven years. He then opened up a farm on Bayou Bartholomew, in Drew County, which he continued to till until his death, in 1872, he was remarkably successful in his business transactions, and upon his demise left his family well provided for. He was Master Mason, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, for many years, having united with the church early in life. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah F. Tucker, was born in the Old Dominion, in 1834, but was reared and educated in Kentucky, her parents, Robert and Martha Tucker, having removed to that State in 1849. She was married in Ashley County, in 1851, but is now residing on the old homestead in Drew County. Her union with Mr. Duncan resulted in the birth of four sons and four daughters, James T. and his sister, Susan M. (wife of Thomas R. Henry, a farmer, of Drew County), being the only ones now living. James T. Duncan was reared in Drew County, receiving a common-school education there also, and at the age of twenty-one years began life for himself as a farmer, and has continued this occupation until the present time. His estate comprises 500 acres of fine land on Bayou Bartholomew, of which ninety acres are under cultivation, devoted to raising crops of cotton and corn. Besides this he owns a half interest in a steam grist mill and cotton gin, and is engaged in selling merchandise near his farm, at Bombay, the stock of goods being valued at $2,500, and the firm is known as Henry & Duncan. Mr. Duncan has always been a law-abiding citizen, and is affable and agreeable in his intercourse with his fellow-men. He belongs to the K. of H., and, although a Democrat, takes but little interest in politics. September 3, 1873, his marriage to Miss Willella Duncan took place in Drew County. She was born in Ashley County, Ark., April 4, 1857, and is a daughter of William B. and Hester A. (Tucker) Duncan, the former of whom died in 1864. The mother is still living in Drew County. To the subject of this sketch and his wife a family of seven children has been born: Thomas Edward, Teresa May and Sarah A. being the only ones living. Those deceased are: William T., Ida, Susan E. and Daniel G. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and he is secretary of his church and is superintendent of the Sunday-school.

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This family biography is one of 83 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Drew County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Drew County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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