"Andrew Duncan deceased, an honored pioneer of Louisa County Iowa, was born in Washington County, Tennessee March 9, 1787. He is listed as the third son in his father's (Andrew) will. His parents were of Scotch-Irish decent and were strict Presbyterians. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and removed to Blount County Tennessee at an early day. Mr. Duncan was married twice, his first wife being Miss Wallace, by whom he had one son, Joseph, who moved to Missouri and there died some years ago. After the death of his first wife he subsequently married Miss Margaret Alexander, a daughter of Francis Alexander, and a native of Tennessee. She was of Scottish descent and was born 16 November 1809. Eleven children were born to this couple, four sons and seven daughters: Janet, the widow of William Allen, resides in Washington County, Iowa; Eliza was the wife of Samuel Edmondson, and both are now deceased; Mary A. wedded James Harmon, now living in Columbus City, Iowa; Francis A. was twice married, his first wife being Miss Mary A. Shaw, and his present wife Miss Ella Easton; he has served in the Assembly and Senate of the Iowa Legislature, is a farmer by occupation, and resides at Columbus Junction. (See his sketch description elsewhere in this work). James A. married Miss Melinda Duncan and resides in Columbus City Township; Margaret was the wife of Calvin Ritchie, and both are now dead; Nancy is the wife of Thomas Baird of Wayne County, Iowa; Lucinda wedded Frank Moore of Columbus City Township; Russell married Miss Catherine Johnson, and resides in Wayne County, Iowa; Lovinia was the wife of James Atchison, but is now deceased; Samuel married Miss Mary Duncan; he was a soldier of the late war, being a member of Co. C, 11th IA Infantry, and resides in Wayne County, Iowa."

Andrew was overseer of the road from John Chester's to David Russell's in August 1814 and was on the tax lists of Washington County, TN from 1810-1819. He is listed in the U.S. census for Blount County, Tennessee in 1830 and 1840 and was named executor of his brother James' will, probated in 1838.

Mr. Duncan was engaged in farming in TN until 1844, when, in company with his wife and children, he emigrated from their Tennessee home to Iowa. Several of his daughters were married at the time, and their families, together with a few friends, made up quite a colony. Their manner of conveyance was by flatboat down the Tennessee River to the Ohio, thence to the Mississippi, where they took a steamer for their destination. They landed at Port Louisa, Iowa, on a dark rainy night, the 13th of April, 1844. The river was swollen by the spring freshets, and a landing was effected with considerable difficulty and great discomfort. On reaching the shore, they found that there was not sufficient house room at the port to accommodate their party and protect their goods. A temporary shelter for the latter was made of loose boards, and the party crowded themselves into the limited space afforded them. Mr. Duncan and family effected a settlement at Columbus City, Louisa County, where they spent the first year of their settlement in Iowa, but the following spring moved to their claims on sections 33 and 34, of that township. Each member of the little colony who was legally qualified made a claim and secured a home.

Mr. Duncan was a man of great physical power and mental force, positive in his convictions and strict in his religious views. He was a consistent member of the Seceder's Church of the Presbyterian denomination, and was earnest and liberal in the support of that society. Politically, he was an old-line Whig in early life and of strong anti-slavery convictions. His hostility to that institution was a primary cause of his removal with his family from a slave holding to a free State. His death occurred 22 June 1849 and he is buried in the Columbus City Cemetery. He was a man of sterling qualities, upright and conscientiously just in all the relations of life, and enjoyed the respect of all with whom he came in contact. As time rolls on, this brief sketch will serve to perpetuate the memory of the founder of the Duncan family in Louisa County, and will grow in interest among his descendants with advancing of years." Sources: Some Duncan Families of Eastern Tennessee Before 1800, page 40; Portrait and Biographical Album of Louisa County, Iowa, 1889, pages 279-280.

Andrew Duncan was 62, married and a farmer when he died on cancer in June 1849 according to the U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedule. He had been sick for 21 days.