California Biographies Mendocino and Lake Counties, California Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of Mendocino and Lake Counties, California With Biographical Sketches History by Aurelius O. Carpenter And Percy H. Millberry Illustrated, Complete In One Volume Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1914 WILLIAM DUNCAN. � The original identification of the Duncan family with Mendocino county dates back to July of 1858, when Elijah Hall Duncan became one of the earliest settlers in the fertile valley surrounding the present site of Hopland. There was little except the soil to attract an American to this then isolated region, whose primitive inhabitants, the savage Indians, still lingered among the lonely mountains and threatened the white settlers with extinction. With the utter fearlessness that had always been one of his lead- ing attributes of character Air. Duncan proceeded to carry out plans for permanent settlement. By a payment of $1,000 in cash and fifty head of cattle he was able to obtain the title to seventeen hundred acres, part of which he afterward sold at $2.50 per acre, and that eventually, proving to be valuable for the raising of hops, became very high-priced. On that great ranch he first built a rude shack which did service until he moved to the county road, when he built a five-room log cabin. This later gave way to a modern and commodious residence erected on the hill by the county road, at the end of Duncan lane. His possessions finally embraced three ranches aggregating forty-one hundred acres, on which he engaged in raising farm products as well as horses, mules, cattle and sheep. From his home could be seen Duncan's peak, which was named in his honor. His name is also perpet- uated in Duncan springs, which he discovered on his ranch and which, on an analysis of the water, was discovered to contain curative properties in highly valuable proportions. The life of this honored pioneer began in Tennessee December 8, 1824, and closed in Mendocino county July 23, 1889, after three years of failing health. That he achieved success was due to his own inherent powers and not to any favors shown him by destiny. When only eight years of age he was deprived by death of his father and mother. The family previously had moved to Missouri and there he learned the trade of a tanner and for some years operated a plant of his own. April 15, 1856, he married Elizabeth Craddock, a native of Virginia. Their bridal tour consisted of a trip across the plains to California. A wagon drawn by oxen conveyed the necessities of the long journey. In addition they had on starting one hundred and sixty head of cattle. Of these the Indians took forty head. With the balance they were able to embark in stock-raising after their arrival in Sonoma county on the 7th of September. The original location was six miles east of Healds- burg, whence in the summer of 1858 Mr. Duncan brought his family and his cattle to the mouth of Feliz creek, where he began ranching and stock-raising in Sanel valley. Always a promoter of any enterprise for the benefit of the farming interests of the district, he was the second man to set out hops, and for years had on his ranch the largest field of this crop grown in the entire county. There still stands in the valley the old hop kiln erected by him, which was one of the first of its kind here. Besides drying his own hops m the kiln he accommodated his neighbors in the same way and proved a most helpful citizen as well as a progressive farmer. His wife, who survived him, continued at the old homestead until her death April 28, 1905. Their family numbered ten children and six of these are still living, the youngest being William, who was born July 31, 1872, and who received his education in local schools and the San Francisco Business College. After the death of his father he took an active part in the management of the ranch. Upon his marriage in 1895 to Miss Jennie A. Barker, a native of Mendo- cino county, Mr. Duncan rented the sheep ranch east of Hopland that be- longed to the family estate. The property is still under his supervision and is owned by himself and a brother, E. J., being devoted by them to the sheep industry. The tract comprises three thousand two hundred and seventy acres and contains at this writing about fourteen hundred head of Spanish merino sheep. Mr. Duncan makes his home in Hopland, where in 1912 he bought the general mercantile store formerly owned by his brother, Samuel, and this establishment he is now managing with efficiency and success. In politics he votes with the Democratic party. Although not identified with any religious organization, he is a generous contributor to the Christian Church, to which his wife belongs, and he has also aided other movements for the uplifting of the community. In his family there are three children, Neva, Terrel LeRoy and William H. His enterprising spirit is recognized by his acquaintances, who appreciate his willingness to give of his time and influence to aid local projects of merit. In his circle of associates he is esteemed for his sterling worth.