John Duncan, born on May 23, 1851, in Banffshire, Scotland, immigrated to the United States in 1883, settling in Moody County, South Dakota. Initially purchasing a farm in Elkton Township with minimal funds, he later acquired a well-improved 160-acre farm in Ward Township in 1890. Duncan was engaged in diversified farming and specialized in breeding Shorthorn cattle and Clydesdale horses. A dedicated Republican, he held various township offices and served as a county commissioner from 1902. He and his wife, Mary Jane Minty, were active members of the Presbyterian church and the Modern Woodmen of America. They had five children: James Morris, Harry, Alfred, Marjory, and Leslie.
John Duncan comes of sterling Scotch lineage and is himself a native of the land of hills and heather, while the name which he bears is one which has been prominent in the history of Scotland for many generations. He was born in Banffshire, Scotland, on the 23d of May, 1851, being a son of John and Elizabeth (Barron) Duncan, both of whom passed their entire lives in Scotland, the father having been a farmer by vocation. Our subject was reared and educated in his native land, and was there engaged in farming until 1883, when he came to the United States, having become convinced that in our great republic could be found better opportunities for the winning of independence and a competency through individual effort. In April of that year he arrived with his family in Moody County, South Dakota, where he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, in Elkton township, assuming an indebtedness for nearly the entire purchase price, his capitalistic resources at the time being but two and one-half dollars. He disposed of this property in 1890 and purchased his present well-improved farm in Ward township, the same comprising a quarter section of most arable and productive land, while the place is equipped with a good dwelling house and other excellent farm buildings. Mr. Duncan devotes his attention to diversified farming and to the raising of high-grade livestock, while he makes a specialty of breeding shorthorn cattle and full-blooded Clydesdale horses. He is a staunch Republican in his political allegiance, and has ever taken a deep interest in local affairs, doing all in his power to further the best interests of the county and state of his adoption. He has held all the township offices, has been an official of the school board of his district, and in 1902 was elected a member of the board of county commissioners, of which position he has since been incumbent. He and his wife are prominent and zealous members of the Presbyterian church, and fraternally he is identified with Camp No. 2867, Modern Woodmen of America, at Flandreau, and is also a member of the Masonic order.
Mr. Duncan was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Minty, who like himself is a native of Scotland, whence she came to America in 1885, to reside with her mother, Mrs. Joseph Morris, residing in Flandreau. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan have five children, all of whom remain at the parental home, namely: James Morris, Harry, Alfred, Marjory and Leslie.
Source: Robinson, Doane, History of South Dakota: together with mention of Citizens of South Dakota, [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen, 1904.