James S. Duncan

Submitted by Robert Kingrey
Source: Biographical Record of the counties of Sandusky and Ottawa, Ohio

James S. Duncan, born July 9, 1858, in Jackson County, Ohio, was the proprietor of a flourishing general store at Limestone, and also extensively engaged in the limestone business. His parents, James and Amy (Verner) Duncan, were both born in Armstrong County, Penn., the father in 1827, and the mother in 1835.

They were married in 1851, and are now living in Powellsville, Scioto County, Ohio, where the father is a contractor and builder. To them were born 8 children, 5 of whom are now living, 3 sons and 2 daughters; the sons are all married, but the daughters are still with their parents.

Raised at Powellsville

James S. Duncan spent his boyhood days at Powellsville, Scioto County, Ohio. There attended public school and graduated in 1877. At the age of 19, immediately after graduating, he and his brother formed a supply company for forwarding lime to Means, Kyle & Co. They stayed in that business for about 5 years when it was suddenly brought to a close by the death of his brother, he is accidentally killed while handling limestone.

Mr. Duncan then went to Marion, Ohio, as superintendent of the lime works for John D. Owens & Son, where he remained for four years. He then moved to Limestone, Benton twp., Ottawa County, where for 2 years he had the superintendency of a similar business for Swayne & Lawrence. He then entered into a contract to furnish lime to the Genoa, and Rocky Ridge Lime Co. of Toledo, Ohio, being thus engaged for 4 years.

General Store

In the meantime, in 1889, Mr. Duncan opened a general store at Limestone. This was a branch of his business, of which his wife had charge for a time. Finally, it was put into the hands of a clerk, whom Mr. Duncan had the general management and oversight of the business. The Limestone post office is located in the store, and for several years Mr. Duncan held the position of postmaster.

In 1892, Mr. Duncan went into partnership with L. W. Buzzard, erecting a large lime plant which they operated together until 1894. At that time they erected another plant at Williston, Ottawa County, Ohio, for manufacturing Lime, crushing stone, and furnishing building stone.

These two plants keep in constant operation, his partner having the oversight of the new one, and Mr. Duncan himself looks after the business in Limestone. The partners are both members of the Ohio Lime Co., of Toledo, Ohio. Mr. Duncan is a deservedly successful man and has reached his present position through his own energy and untiring activity.

Raised Three Children

On June 15, 1881, Mr. Duncan was married to Miss Alice M. Worthington of Ironton, Ohio, and 3 children have blessed their union, all of whom are living;

• Royer E. was born on June 15, 1882;
• Cleveland was born on December 13, 1886;
• Clara E. was born on December 14, 1888.

Mrs. Alice Worthington Duncan

Mrs. Duncan was born in Kentucky, on September 5, 1856. When she was a small girl she moved with her father’s people to Powellsville, Ohio, where she attended school,

Graduating in 1864, she has also given some attention to music and has given her children instructions on the principles of that art, especially instrumental music. Her father, Findley Worthington, was killed in the War of the Rebellion, and her mother died some 17 years ago.