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