John William Harris Duncan Sr (1851 - 1921)

Born 3 Apr 1851 in South Carolina, USA

Died 2 May 1921 at age 70 in Columbia Richland County South Carolina, USA

Biography

Per his death certificate found on Ancestry.com: he was born in S.C. His parents are not named. He was married at the time of his death but his spouse is not named. He was retired. He died at 1000 Hampton St. He was struck by an automobile.

From an article found in The State 03 May 1921 (it is very faded): J. W. H. Duncan of 1030 Hampton street, was struck and almost instantly killed about 9:30 o'clock last night at the corner of Washington and Main streets by an automobile owned by A. J. Cordell and driven by A. C. Trussell, young taxi driver. According to Trussell and Mrs. Cordell, who with Mrs. James S. Jackson, wife of a soldier at Camp Jackson, were in the car at the time of the accident, Mr. Duncan stepped immediately in front of the car carrying an umbrella which appeared to have prevented his seeing the machine. The brakes were applied they said but the pavement being slippery from the rain the wheels skidded about 25 feet, and Mr. Duncan was hurled to the ground. Trussell said he was driving about 8 or 10 miles an hour and the women declare the rate was even less. After the car struck Mr. Duncan, according to Mrs. Cordell's story, she got out and called for assistance in placing the injured man in the automobile. Eventually A. R. Edwards, a taxi driver, and Andrew Boyd lifted the injured man into the car. Trussell, she says, was so demoralized as to be unable to drive the car and an unknown soldier drove the car to the Baptist hospital. Mr. Duncan died in the machine. At the hospital Trussell was arrested by Policeman Brown and J. S. Lancaster. The women were also taken to the police station to be held as witnesses at the inquest which will be held this evening at 7 o'clock in the court house. A. J. Cordell says he came to Columbia about a month ago, bought a car and stated running a taxi with Trussell as his driver. Trussell is a native of Greenville and is said to be an experienced driver. He was deeply affected over the accident. He is married, his wife living in Greenville. He has been driving in Columbia for some time. For years a leading citizen of Columbia, Mr. Duncan was widely known and numbered his friends by the hundreds. He was between 65 and 70 years of age and long was prominent in the city's affairs. He served as alderman for considerable time under the old form of municipal government and in the days of the volunteer fire department was an active member. Mr. Duncan was a devoted and faithful member of the Washington Street Methodist church. Mr. Duncan is survived by his widow and several children as follows, Ben L. Duncan and Miss Mary E. Duncan of Columbia, William Duncan of Richmond and another son who lives in Raleigh.

Received the following in an email from Find A Grave contributor, GBK:According to Fetner family historian the late Ed Fetner, John Wlm. Harris Duncan (Sr.) was the son of Hezekiah Duncan and Charlotte Priscilla Fetner. Have been unable to find John in the 1850 or 1860 census, but in 1870 is is living with his father. (Agnes Caroline Fetner Duncanm in 1870, is Hezekiah's 2nd wife. To further complicate matters, Agnes Caroline Fetner and Charlotte Prisclla Fetner, both wives of Hezekiah, were half sisters.) 1870 Census Richland County, South Carolina, M593, roll 1507; page 48; dwelling 380; fam. no. 371 HEZEKIAH E. DUNCAN, age 41; white male; railroad employee; born in South Carolina; can't read or write Agnes C. Duncan, age 34; white female; born in South Carolina John W. Duncan, age 19; white male; at home; born in South Carolina Lavenia Duncan, age 4, white female; at home; born in South Carolina Ada Duncan, age 1, white female; born in South Carolina

GBK also contributed the following information: I looked through The State archives and found that on June 5 of that same year, the young man accused of manslaughter (Trussell) was acquitted in the death of John Duncan. (Amazingly fast trials in those days. Duncan died May 2 and by early June the trial was held.) Burial: Elmwood Memorial Gardens Columbia Richland County South Carolina, USA Plot: Square 43, Lot 44, Grave 2

Sources

• Created by: rdsxfan

Record added: Sep 17, 2012 Find A Grave Memorial# 97233120