Perry Alexander Duncan (1861 - 1941)

Born 23 Aug 1861 in Denver City, Arapahoe County, Colorado Territory

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah Jane (Mumper) Duncan — married 3 Feb 1889 in Timnath, Larimer County, Colorado

Descendants

Died 16 Sep 1941 at age 80 in Sheridan, Sheridan County, Wyoming

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Biography

Perry was the first white child born in what came to be Denver, Colorado. "The Colorado Territory was created on February 28, 1861, Arapahoe County was formed on November 1, 1861, and Denver City was incorporated on November 7, 1861. Denver City served as the Arapahoe County Seat from 1861 until consolidation in 1902. In 1867, Denver City became the Territorial Capital. With its new-found importance, Denver City shortened its name to Denver. On August 1, 1876, Colorado was admitted to the Union."^[1]

1889, Perry married S. Jennie Mumper, daughter of John and Sarah Jane (Gardner-Mumper), of Greeley, Colorado, formerly of York County, Penn. Her grandfather was Abraham Mumper.

Perry and Jennie Duncan had six children: Vere Alexander (1889-1973), buried at Buffalo, Wyoming, where he ranched for many years; Jesse Carson (1891-1961), buried at Big Timber, Montana, where he ranched; Lazina (1893-1907); Morris (1896-1901); Simon Jayne Houston (1901-?); David Iris (1903-1954). Lazina, Morris and D. Iris are buried at Sheridan Municipal Cemetery, Sheridan, Sheridan County, Wyoming, beside their parents (in Block B Lot 2), S. J. Houston Duncan lives on the Duncan Ranch south of Sheridan.^[2]

Obituary

PERRY DUNCAN SUCCUMBS HERE

Perry A. Duncan, eighty year old pioneer resident, died in the Sheridan County Memorial Hospital on Tuesday. Mr. Duncan who was born in 1861, had lived on a ranch on Meade Creek for the past fifty years.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Perry Duncan of Meade Creek, and four sons, Vere Duncan of Buffalo Wyo.; Jessie C. Duncan of Big Timber, Mont.; Houston Duncan of Meade Creek; and Iris Duncan, also of Meade Creek; and by two brothers, John Duncan of Wolf, Wyo.; and Simon Duncan of Denver, Colo.; and a sister, Mrs. E. M. Holmes of Long Island, N.Y. Funeral arrangements will be made later. SHERIDAN PRESS: Sept. 16, 1941

FUNERAL RITES FOR P.A. DUNCAN TO BE HELD HERE
Burial Services for Aged Pioneer to Be Held Thursday.

Funeral services for Perry A. Duncan, 80, pioneer Wyoming rancher, will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Champion drawing room by the Rev. C. A. Lofgren.

Mr. Duncan was the first white boy to be born in what is now the city of Denver and was a member of one of America's pioneering families. His great-grandfather fought in the Revolutionary war, his grandfather pioneered Wisconsin and his father was one of Colorado's pioneers.

He died Tuesday in the Sheridan County Memorial hospital after suffering from a severe cold for several weeks. On April 25 of this year he had a stroke of paralysis, and late in May he had another stroke from which he did not entirely recover. Mr. Duncan was born in Denver August 23, 1861. In 1883 he filed a desert claim of 640 acres on land on the Wallows southeast of Buffalo. Later he helped in the construction of the irrigation ditch under Tom Ernst for the Colorado Land company.

Before Sheridan county even existed he attended the first fair ever to be held at Buffalo. In the winter of 1890 he bought the old Charley Meade ranch on Meade Creek, and in the spring he moved his family from Fort Collins. The family arrived on April 15, 1891, in a covered wagon, as this was prior to the building of the railroad.

Mr. Duncan, who has been engaged in the livestock business for the last 50 years, and his family have lived on the Meade Creek ranch since that time.

Mr. Duncan and his widow, the former Jennie Mumper of Greeley, whom he married February 3, 1889 at Tinnath, Colo, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary two years ago with all their children and grandchildren present.

Surviving Mr. Duncan are his widow and their four children; Vere A. of Buffalo; Jesse C. of Big Timber, Mont.; Houston and Iris at home. A daughter and son preceeded him in death. He is survived also by eight grandchildren; Veda Hill of Washington, D.C.; Jane, Marian, Betty Lou, and Nancy Duncan of Buffalo; Stella Jean Duncan of Big Timber,Mont.; Grant Perry and Donald Duncan; one step grandson, Cecil Nottingham, all of Big Timber, Mont.; and one great grandson, James Duncn Hill; one sister, Mrs. E.M.Holmes of New York City, and two brothers, John B. Duncan of Wolf, Wyo.; and Simon H. Duncan of Denver, Colo. SHERIDAN PRESS- Sept. 17, 1941^[3]

Notes

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Sources

1. ↑ Denver
2. ↑ Biographies of Vere, Jessie, D. Iris, and S. J. Houston Duncan were published in the Historical Encyclopedia of Wyoming Pioneers.
3. ↑ Find A Grave Memorial# 38612249

Acknowledgments

Obits published in FindAGrave were provided by Karylyn Petrie .
Thanks to Marsha Hanson Dillon for her FindAGrave contributions
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