Joseph Duncan was a pioneer and Illinois politician who served in many roles throughout his career, including as the sixth Governor of Illinois from 1834 to 1838. Duncan was born in Paris, Kentucky, on February 22, 1794, and went on to serve in the War of 1812. He was later awarded the testimonial sword by a resolution of Congress for his role in the defense of Fort Stephenson near Sandusky, Ohio, in a battle in 1813.
Duncan moved from Kentucky to Illinois in 1818, the year Illinois achieved statehood. He purchased tracts of land in different counties throughout the state. Later in his career in Congress Duncan advocated for settlers, describing them as “brave, hardy, enterprising” men “possessing an ardent love of liberty, freedom and independence,” who “endured privations and hardships” giving up “all the comforts of society,” overcoming “difficulties which most gentlemen in Congress know nothing about.”… Read More