Stephen N. Duncan a farmer and mechanic of Whiteville, was born August 6, 1851, in Hardeman County. His parents were Henry W. and Margaret (Ruddell) Duncan. The father was born in 1800. He had been twice married previous to his union with Miss Ruddell. By his first wife he had one child, and eight children with the second wife. When about twenty years of age, he settled in the western district, where Whiteville now lies. His chief occupation was farming. He also operated a grist and saw-mill, and kept a landing on Hatchie River. He began life a poor man, but by industry and good management amassed quite a snug fortune, and became the possessor of 1,900 acres of good land. He was a consistent, conscientious Christian. From religious principles, he never owned a slave. He met a sad and shocking death by drowning in Hatchie River in 1869. Mrs. Duncan was born in Kentucky in 1822, and died in 1852, leaving only one child, Stephen, our subject. He was but ten months old when his mother died. He was raised by his uncle, B. K. Ruddell. He received such educational advantages as the common schools of that day afforded. At the age of sixteen, he began life for himself. After running a saw-mill for two years in Arkansas, he returned home and commenced farming. In 1873, he married Alice P. Andrews, who was born August 10, 1853. Of the three children born to this union only one is living — Mussie D. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan are respected members of the Methodist Church. In 1880, they located in Whiteville, where Mr. Duncan has since been engaged in mechanical pursuits, although still interested in farming. He owns 240 acres of fine productive soil. All of his life has been spent in Hardeman County, where he is well known and highly esteemed. He is one of the few surviving members of a prominent and once large family.
Source: “The Goodspeed Publishing Co., History of Tennessee, 1886”.