It is with pleasure that we are enabled to write concerning the estimable gentleman whose name is at the head of this article, since he has been one of the potent factors in the development of Harney county, has manifested wisdom and enterprise in all his ways here, has labored as a true pioneer in many other sections of the country and has always manifested the same unswerving integrity, moral uprightness and sound principles, having sustained a reputation as an exceptionally reliable man, and ever arraigned on the side of right.
Mr. Duncan was born in Williamson county, Illinois, on March 27, 1838, being the son of Dudley W. and Elizabeth Duncan. On April 16, 1859, Mr. Duncan started to New Orleans on the Panama route to California. He had an adventurous spirit and was ready to grapple with the hard problems of pioneer life and has since proved himself of the right kind of stuff. He stopped five days on the way, at Havana, and then landed in San Francisco on May 16. He worked for wages until the fall of 1861, then went by steamer to Portland, Oregon. On April 16, 1863, he started to Auburn, Baker county, arriving there on the 16th of May, and for fifteen years he was numbered with the hardy and worthy miners of that vicinity. It was 1878 that he came to upper Willow creek and took up ranching. In 1884 he came thence to the vicinity of Drewsey, and there engaged in farming and stock raising. He took raw land, two hundred and forty acres, and made of it a fine farm, and was successful in raising stock. Later he sold the farm and neat stock and handled sheep and horses exclusively. In 1899 he sold his entire property holdings in this section and retired for a time from active business. He is at present continuing his retired life. Fraternally he is affiliated with the I. O. O. F., Drewsey Lodge, No. 147. Mr. Duncan was nominated for county commissioner on the Republican ticket, and notwithstanding his protests he was elected, but refused to qualify. Mr. Duncan has never ventured on the matrimonial sea, but is enjoying the quieter placidity of the celibate. He is a man of unquestioned integrity and stands high in the estimation of the people.