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ANDREW B. DUNCAN. It requires not only close application and studious habits to succeed in this day and age as a photographer, but also a natural esthetic taste. These characteristics are undoubtedly possessed by Andrew B. Duncan, one of the leading photographers of Springfield and southwestern Missouri, a man whose work has kept well abreast of the times and whose studio it is a pleasure to inspect by those who delight in and appreciate art of a high order.
Mr. Duncan was born, April 20, 1850, in Ontario, Canada. He is a son of Donald McDonald Duncan and Dorothy (Gennett) Duncan. The father was born near Grennock, Scotland, January 15, 1812, and the mother was a native of Ireland, born in 1815. They grew up in the British Isles and received limited educations, were married there and remained in that country until they emigrated to Canada, and there they kept an inn until the father's death in the year 1864. The mother died in Ottawa, Canada, in 1873. The maternal grandfather of our subject was captain of the Coast Guards in Cork, Ireland. His name was Andrew Bennett. Nine children were born to Donald M. Duncan and wife, only three of whom survive at this writing, namely: Isabelle, Andrew B., and Frederick T.
Andrew B. Duncan grew to manhood in Canada and he received his education in the common and high schools of Ottawa. When a young man he took a position with the Singer Manufacturing Company in Montreal, which he held for some time, and was in the sewing machine business for a period of twenty years, during which time he became thoroughly conversant with every phase of the business and made a success. He came to Kansas City, Missouri, in 1886, where he was connected with the White Sewing Machine Company for a period of five years. In 1891 he began his career as photographer for which he had not only a natural liking but a decided innate ability and consequently was successful from the start. For ten years he was official photographer for the Frisco railroad, using his own private car, which was a model in every respect of its kind. He traveled extensively and did high grade work for which he was commended by the officials of the road. He came to Springfield in 1903 and located at the old Sittler place on St. Louis street. He was burned out there and he then moved to his present location. Since coming to this city he has enjoyed a large and constantly growing business and his neat and modernly appointed studio is visited by people from all over the Southwest. His work is high-grade in every respect. He is an expert at posing as well as in finishing and he is never behind in the changing styles in his art.
Mr. Duncan was married on December 22, 1873, in Arnprior, Canada, to Mary Lyon, a native of that place, where she was reared and educated. The union of our subject and wife has been without issue.
Mr. Duncan is a member of the Masonic Order, including the Knights Templar and Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He holds membership in the Calvary Presbyterian church.
[1826-1827]
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