Major Lawson A. Duncan
Jan. 21, 1832-Aug. 5, 1900
Niles Republican, Thursday, August 9, 1900, page 1, col. 3-4, from Niles Daily Sun, August 6, 1900, microfilm Niles District Library
GONE TO HIS REWARD
The Silent Messenger of Death Enters Our Midst and Claims
MAJOR LAWSON A. DUNCAN
Full of Years and Honors He Passes Away at 11 O'clock Last Evening
From Monday's Daily Sun.
In the death of Major Lawson A. Duncan, late editor of the NILES REPUBLICAN and DAILY SUN, which occurred at 11 o'clock last night, caused by heart and brain trouble, there passed away one of the most prominent country weekly newspaper publishers, not only of Berrien county, but of the entire country. His death is naturally a great shock to his relatives, his associates and to the community of Niles, in which he was a universally esteemed citizen.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE
A sturdy, honest, brave and loyal-hearted man was Lawson A. Duncan, whose name has stood at the head of the editorial columns of the Niles Republican. He was of Scotch descent, and Virginia and Ohio parentage, but was born in Indiana, on the front edge of the winter of 1832. The Duncan family had a good name, which L.A. Duncan has never tarnished. His grandfather on his mother's side was a Scott, and held the position of territorial judge in Indiana for 20 years; and also held other offices. Duncan still has the commissions, issued to his ancestor by Madison, Monroe, Harrison, Tyler, Taylor and Fillmore. Mr. Duncan learned the printer's trade, went west in 1856, and in 1858, with the late George H. Jerome as a partner, he started the Iowa City Republican. In 1862 Duncan was appointed by the governor of Iowa as one of the commissioners to settle the swamp land claims of the state against the general government, but left that work to go into the army. Started in as adjutant of the Fortieth Iowa infantry, went through every battle his regiment was in, and several that it wasn't in, and got out with honor, a bad scar and a major's commission--the highest vacancy in this regiment--after having refused several promotions outside of the regiment. He was also with Gen. Steele in his campaign to co-operate with Banks on the disastrous Red River expedition, after the fall of Vicksburg. Acted as aide-de-camp and assistant adjutant general during part of that memorable tramp. When the war was over Major Duncan settled up his business in Iowa and came to Michigan, and set up for himself at Niles. In 1866, he bought the Niles Inquirer and Berrien County Freeman, consolidated the two offices, and called the consolidation the NILES REPUBLICAN, which he owned and edited until August 1, 1899, when failing health compelled him to retire from active life. Mr. Duncan served as a member of the Republican state central committee, was a presidential elector for the Fourth district in 1872, was alderman and also a state senator from Berrien and Cass counties in 1883. He was a member of the Republican county committee three terms and chairman twice.
The press of the state at large has frequently spoken in highest terms of the deceased, who was one of the oldest members of the journalistic profession in this city, and a devoted, public-spirited citizen, wielding a widespread influence for the general welfare. In newspaper circles he was a universal favorite, one of the most congenial and companionable of men, whose friendship was highly prized. He was a good, clean newspaper man, possessing the social feeling, ready wit and good cheer that do so much to cement the secret brotherhood.
Mr. Duncan gave much of his time and effort to various activities outside of his profession, attaining prominence in a number of fraternal organizations as the Royal Arcanum, in which he carried $1,500 insurance, in the Masonic order, Knights of Pythias and Maccabees. He was an honorary member of the Modern Woodmen of America and was past commander of the G.A.R. He had also held the offices of first adjutant and quarter-master of the G.A.R.
In 1882 he was married to Mary Bond, daughter of the late John Bond, of his city. Their union was an exceptionally happy one until six years after marriage death claimed Mrs. Duncan.
Major Duncan was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church of this city and occupied many positions of trust in the church during his entire time here.
Owing to the absence of certain relatives the funeral arrangements have not yet been made.