Obit: Duncan, Myron H. (1869 - 1936)

Contact: Stan
Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: DUNCAN

----Sources: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 03/26/1936

Duncan, Myron H. (24 NOV 1869 - 21 MAR 1936)

Funeral services were conducted Tuesday morning at the Clark County Asylum for Myron Harvey Duncan, 66, who death occurred Saturday morning at about 8:30 o’clock, following an illness of pneumonia.

The services Tuesday morning were most impressive, the Right Rev. Bishop Frank E. Wilson of the Episcopal Diocese of Eau Claire officiating. A close friend of Mr. Duncan spoke of his life, and what a wonderful companion he was to his fellow men, especially as a fisherman, and what he did for humanity. To known Mr. Duncan was to like him, because of his friendly attitude toward others and the help that he was always willing to give.

Mr. Duncan came to Owen about 16 years ago, to become superintendent of the Clark County Asylum. He had much to do with the building of the institution, the work of planning the buildings and landscaping. From his efforts the institution became one of the showplaces of central Wisconsin, and was considered the best managed institution of its kind in the state.

He had been president of the Asylum Superintendent’s Association of Wisconsin and before coming to Owen (Clark Co., Wis.), for more than ten years was superintendent of the Marathon County Asylum. While a resident of Wausau he served two years as mayor of that city. He was known throughout the state as a manager and businessman of much ability, and his loss to his family and Clark County will be great.

Mr. Duncan was a hard worker, but he always found time to do a little fishing, and to all who knew him he was known as a true sportsman. He was a member of the Isaac Walton League and was one of the charter members of the Neal Brown fishing Lodge on the Plover River. He was chairman of the fish and game committee of the Owen Chamber of Commerce.

George L. Haight, an attorney of Chicago, paid a very high tribute to him, in writing his son, Myron G. Duncan, as follows:

"He had at the attributes of a good fishing partner, which is the highest praise I know, for to be such required tolerance, unselfishness, willingness, adaptability, humor, knowledge and all of those varied personal qualities whose sum makes for compionableness. As you know, my only meeting with him were had during last summer’s brief visit at the neal Brown cottage, and the evening and night at Owen that immediately followed it. However, this was quite time enough to know him well. It was he who greeted me with such easy hospitality upon my arrival at the fishing camp. He had the faculty of making one feel genuinely welcome with few words. I recall his teachings in that almost forgotten art of making good pancakes, in which he demonstrated the truth of the old saying that anything worth doing is worth doing well. He had the just pride of the good workman in his work - evidenced in several other ways; but I cling to the example of the pancakes, because it has within it the simple essentials for a fine sermon.

"He was interested in, and fond of folks. This was apparent on the briefest acquaintance, and was, of course, most thoroughly shown in his regular work.

"I repeat - he was a good fisherman. It is regrettable that his skilled wrist will no longer try the whip of his rod. However, a good fisherman is bound to be quite at home in new waters. In our most thoughtful moments who would wish to deny a friend the privilege of the most adventurous trip - when the New Springtime calls him."

Mr. Duncan was a Knight Templar of the Masonic Lodge, and also a member of the Knight of Pythias, the eastern Star, Fraternal Reserved Association, the U.T.C., and the Modern Woodmen of America. The Masonic Lodge of Wausau had charge of the services held there Tuesday afternoon in the Peterson funeral home. Burial took palce in Wausau.

He was born at Wonewoc, Nov. 24, 1869, and while a young man moved to Wausau, where he was united in marriage to Clara Ringle, Oct. 7, 1896. They made that city their home until they came to Owen 16 years ago.

Surviving are his wife and one son, Myron G. Duncan of New York City, and one brothers, Homer, of Winona.

Attending the funeral from away were all of the Clark County officers.