JOSEPH FRANKLIN DUNCAN 

The following bio was taken from page 185 of the book entitled “Rusk County History” compiled and edited

And used with permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission.

Transcribed by Shirley Koym

Submitted by Gloria Briley Mayfield, Rusk County TX Coordinator

 Joseph Franklin Duncan (July 17, 1860 – May 20, 1918) was the son of Simon Sylvester and Amy Safronia Ingram Duncan.  Joseph was of Irish descent and was a railroad section foreman.  He married Sarah Ella Elizabeth Young, (October 24, 1866-June 18, 1953) daughter of Rufus and Rebecca Knight Young.

 Ella is of a pioneer family of Rusk County, and she remembered the family coming to Texas by wagon train.  She remembered a runaway slave hunter who came by their place from time to time with a count of his bounty slaves worn on his belt in form of ears.  The two former slaves that were living with the Young family always ran to hide when they saw the bounty hunter coming.  When the family started for Texas, these two blacks wanted to come along.

 Joseph and Ella had twelve children:  Fannie Lee, born November 23, 1889 and died January 4, 1891.

 Ruby Ellen, born January 31, 1892, married T. W. Blankingship.  T. W. and Ruby Ellen live in Longview, Texas.

 Mary Lucy, born April 28, 1894, was married three times, Sanford Bunt, Guy McGuinny and Forrest Clamp.  Although we do not know her death date, she is buried in New Hope Cemetery.

 Ellis Rebecca, born May 11, 1896, married Ollie Sellars and lives in Palestine, Texas.

 Twin sons were born to Ella and Joseph, and they are John William and Thomas Lenard, April 13, 1901.  John William died July 19, 1903 and Thomas Lenard died January 18, 1905.

Claudia Pauline, born February 14, 1899 and died May 5, 1978, married Leslie Ross.  They lived in Beaumont, Texas.

 Maudie Irene was a twin of Claudia Pauline but died two months after their birth, May 15, 1899.

 allie Mae, born May 5, 1905, married Charlie J. Sanders and lives in Orange, Texas.

 my Elizabeth, born September 8, 1909 and died December 1977, married Leonard Scoggins. She is buried in New Hope Cemetery.

 lara B. was born August 31, 1907 and is unmarried.  She lives in Palestine, Texas.

 oseph Duncan was buried in Millville Cemetery, Rusk County.  His wife, Ella in the New Hope Cemetery, Rusk County, Texas

 Submitted by Cecil Williams