Jefferson County ArArchives Biographies.....Duncan, David Henry ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ar/arfiles.html ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Robert Sanchez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00027.html#0006574 July 18, 2009, 2:19 pm Author: S. J. Clarke (Publisher, 1922) DAVID HENRY DUNCAN. On the list of Pine Bluff's honored dead appears the name of David Henry Duncan who was one of the prominent lumbermen of Arkansas—a man who in his business career displayed marked capability, great thoroughness, notable initiative. splendid executive ability and unsullied integrity and honor. Business, however. was to him only one phase of life—a means to an end. He rejoiced in his success by reason of what it enabled him to do for his family, for his friends and for the community at large. Those qualities which make a man an outstanding figure among his fellowmen were his in large measure. His entire life was a credit and honor to the parents who reared him—an example of marked love and loyalty to his family and of devotion to the high standards of friendship. There are perhaps few men who have inspired warmer regard and friendship among their associates than did he—a fact which was strongly manifest in a beautiful and merited tribute paid to him in a memorial prepared for the American Lumberman and which was signed simply "Friends." This memorial gives so completely the story of his life that it is appended herewith in its entirety. "David Henry Duncan was born in Nashville, Tennessee, February 22, 1865. His father, David Duncan, was horn in Glasgow, Scotland, and came to this country when quite a young man, and settled in Cincinnati, afterwards moving to Tennessee. He married Miss Harriett Dobb of Philadelphia, whose brother gained great distinction as an instructor in Gambier College; another brother, the Rev. Alexander Dobb, was rector for many years of the historic and famous Trinity Church in New Orleans. During the great epidemic of yellow fever, when there was such an exodus of people from the stricken city, he endeared himself to all by remaining with his people, while many urged him to leave and escape the plague. He stood by his post, like the true man he was, and he and his wife, after faithful service to the sick and dying, succumbed to the tfreaded disease. A tablet in the church speaks for him and his noble work where he ministered as a faithful shepherd. "A son of Rev. Alexander Dobb was also a clergyman of distinction; he died in his pulpit in Frankfort, Kentucky, while in the act of blessing his people. "David Henry Duncan spent most of his childhood in Paducah, Kentucky, with his father, who operated a large hub and spoke factory. When only a boy the care and responsibility of the business fell upon his shoulders, on account of the failing health of his father. He manfully met his duty, and as his sister, Mrs. T. W. Moore of Redfield, Arkansas, who alone of the children survives, says of him: 'He was father and brother, always kind and thoughtful. Never an unkind word or selfish act emanated from him.' He was his mother's favorite child and all that a dutiful son should be. It was, as he deemed it, the greatest privilege of his life to he able to educate his sister, no sacrifice being too great for him to make in her behalf; he was the sunshine of the home. "He came to Arkansas twenty years ago, and engaged in the lumber business, and for the past twelve years was identified with John F. Rutherford of the Bluff City Lumber Company. He climbed by his own efforts to the top of the business world and was what one would call a self-made man. "In 1892 he was married to Miss Martha Rose Dorsey of Atkins, Arkansas, who with four children survives him and mourns his untimely death. "He was a thirty-second degree Mason, belonging to the Consistory of New Orleans; also a member of Jerusalem Temple of the Mystic Shrine of New Orleans, and a member of the following orders: Knights of Pythias, Knights of Honor and Woodmen of the World. "In the death of David Henry Duncan, to the loved ones and others left behind, the sense of personal loss is so great that we can only give expression in our grief. He was a true, kind-hearted friend. The tender radiance which shone from his beautiful idea of friendship gave comfort and cheer to all who came under its influence. To his friends he was faithful and true. To the poor and needy he ever stretched forth a helpful hand. As a member of the Bluff City Lumber Company. he was always present and manifested the greatest interest in all its undertakings, faithful in the discharge of his duties, always doing the best for the good of the company. This institution mourns the loss of a true and tried friend. "The business interests and the community at large have suffered an irreparable loss. "Thrust in a moment from the full tide of this world's interests, from its joys, its hopes, its aspirations, into the visible presence of death. "What sundering of strong, warm manhood's friendship; what bitter rending of sweet household ties, whose lips can tell? He was a devoted husband, whose life lay in hers who was his wife; his children, to whom he was a most exceptional father, each day received their father's love and care, and in his heart the eager rejoicing proved to meet all demands. "He believed in the religion of love and a gospel of good works. He sympathized with human frailties and human sufferings. He never bore malice. He felt that the man who scatters flowers in the pathway of his fellow creatures lets into the dark places of life the sunshine of human sympathy and human helpfulness. He believed 'we rise by raising others.' "To the bereaved ones we can truly say that a loving husband and father has passed to immortality. We reverently bow our heads in sympathy with those whose heart ties have been snapped by the stroke that was laden with the acutest grief. Deep as is our bereavement, theirs is yet more poignant. They miss, as no other mortals can, the kind and gentle voice of our friend; yet, across the abyss of grief, we gently clasp the hands of those stricken ones; we whisper in their ears those soothing words of comfort, 'He is immortal,' and let us see him not shrouded in night of gloom and sorrow, but smiling upon us from the sweet halo that marks God's farewell to the day where the gorgeous sunsets paint the sky and sea with incomparable glory. Smiling with all the well remembered grace of his true manhood and love and devotion, and saying: 'The sunset speaks but feebly of the glories of another day. All is well.' With new faith and chastened hearts, let us echo, All is well! Friends." There is comparatively little to add to this for those who read between the lines and recognize the sterling qualities of the man. In his business he was associated with John F. Rutherford under the name of the Bluff City Lumber Company and their relation was more like that of brothers than business associates. It has often been said that an individual may best be judged by his treatment of those beneath him in the social scale and by this standard Mr. Duncan may be rated high. He was always kindly and just to his employes and among the choice floral offerings seen at his funeral were many furnished by those who were in his service, while many of the laborers and the employes in the various mills owned and controlled by the Bluff City Lumber Company came to pay their last tribute of respect and honor to him. He was regarded as one of the best lumbermen in the south and as a financier was looked upon as a wonder, while with the most progressive business men of his section he stood in the front rank. Resolutions of respect were passed by all the organizations with which he was identified, while Mrs. Duncan and her family received letters by the score from close friends and those also who knew Mr. Duncan in a business way, especially the lumbermen of the south. Rich in those qualities which endear men to their fellows, his life was characterized by a charming devotion and loyalty to family and friends, and by the most straightforward business dealings. He shed around him much of the sunshine of life and sweet and precious are the memories which he left as a legacy to all who knew him. It was on the 22d of March, 1909, that he was called to his final rest. Additional Comments: Citation: Centennial History of Arkansas Volume II Chicago-Little Rock: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company 1922 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ar/jefferson/bios/duncan248bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/arfiles/ File size: 8.8 Kb