DUNCAN, Estes - Putnam

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DUNCAN, Estes

Source: Indianapolis News Wed 16 July 1952 p 17

Estes Duncan, 84, served 4 ½ years as secretary of the Indiana teachers retirement fund, borrowed $10,000 of the governor’s contingent fund, paid the teachers near $1 million, and when checked out by the state Board of Accounts, turned over to his successor more than $1 million in cash and bonds. Mr. Duncan died yesterday at Cloverdale. Born in Putnam County, he was the eldest of eight children of Lloyd T. and Mary A (Gillispie) Duncan. After attending schools in Owen County he also attended Indiana State Teachers College at Terre Haute and at the age of 17 began teaching in the schools of Owen County, continuing through 1900. In 1889, Mr. Duncan had begun farming in Putnam County. At the age of 16 he joined the Missionary Baptist Church at Quincy. Later he joined the Methodist Church at Cloverdale. For 37 years, Mr. Duncan was secretary of the Cloverdale Hardware & Lumber Co which he helped to incorporate. In 1918 he was elected senator to represent Montgomery and Putnam Counties in the General Assembly. At the close of the 1921 regular session, he was offered appointment as a member of the Indiana Tax Committee but refused because the state constitution forbids the appointment of an elective officer to the board. Six months later he was named secretary of the teachers retirement fund.  After service with the fund, Mr. Duncan returned to Cloverdale and farming.  He owned and partly equipped 14 farms.  In 1934 when the Bank of Cloverdale needed help, he helped put it in a sound position and served as its president 3 ½ years. Survivors are the widow, Mrs. Maude K. Duncan and two sons, Frank Pollard Duncan, Hemet, Cal and Floyd Richard Duncan, Munster. – kbz
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