Duncan, Joseph
soldier, congressman, governor, was born Feb. 22, 1789, in Paris, Ky. He was an ensign at the brilliant defense of Fort Stephenson under Colonel Croghan, for which he received from congress the testimonial of a sword, Feb. 13, 1835. He settled in Illinois, and was soon elected major-general of militia.
He was state senator, and in the session of 1824-25 originated the law which first established common schools in the state.
He was a representative in congress from 1827 to 1835, and was governor of Illinois from 1834 to 1838. He died Jan. 15, 1844, in Jacksonville, Fla.