McDonough ILGenWeb

DUNCAN, Benjamin F., M. D., a well-known physican and surgeon, who is engaged in the practice of his profession in Blandinsville, McDonough County, Ill., was born in Blandinsville Township, July 15, 1841, a son of John and Margaret (Wright) Duncan, natives of the State of Tennessee. John Duncan was a farmer by occupation, and came from Tennessee to Illinois and located in McDonough County in 1836. In that year he bought 160 acres of land three and a half miles northwest of Blandinsville, and subsequently, 160 acres more, five miles northeast of town.

B. F. Duncan is one of a family of eleven children, three of whom are still living. He was reared on his father's farm and in boyhood enjoyed only the educational advantages afforded by the public schools In his vicinity. After reaching years of maturity he taught school for a number of years in Henderson, Hancock, Warren and McDonough Counties. He then pursued a course of medical study at Keokuk, Iowa, and in 1884, was graduated from the Keokuk College of Physicians and Surgeons. He at once opened an office in Blandinsville, where he has since practiced. Professionally and personally he enjoys the confidence of all who know him, and the number of his patrons is large.

On October 29, 1868, Dr. Duncan was marned to Fannie A. Sweasy, a native of Kentucky, and one child, Marion E., is the offspring of their union. Politically, the Doctor espouses the cause of the Democratic party. Religiously, he is connected with the Christian Church, and fraternally is a member of Blandinsville Lodge No. 233, A. F. & A. M., Blandinsville Chapter 208; also of I. O. O. F.

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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907.