Frank I. Duncan (1858-1946)
MSA SC 3520-14459
Biography:
Born June 4, 1858, in Butler,
Maryland, Son of John D.C. and Catherine (Jones) Duncan. Attended
Baltimore County public schools; Milton Academy; University of Maryland
Law School, 1884. Admitted to Baltimore County bar, September 8, 1884;
Maryland bar, October 11, 1901. Married Clara Eaverson of Altoona,
Pennsylvania on Feburary 14, 1882; one son, John
D. C. Duncan, and four daughters. Died May 11, 1946, in Baltimore,
Maryland. Buried Jessop's Cemetery, Cockeysville, Maryland.
Salesman, newspaper editor, legislator, lawyer and judge. Worked in
his father's
general merchandise store in Butler, Maryland, before becoming a
traveling salesman for the candy firm of Darby & Company. In 1885,
he purchased the Baltimore County
Herald, and named it the Baltimore
County Democrat, changing it from a Republican to Democratic
newspaper. He remained as editor of the paper for more than twenty
years. Counsel, Board of Commissioners of Baltimore County, 1887.
Member, House of Delegates, Baltimore County, 1888. State's Attorney
for Baltimore County, 1889-1895. Appointed State Insurance Commssioner
by Governor
Edwin Warfield in 1904.
Appointed Associate Judge of the Third Judicial Circuit (Baltimore
and Harford counties) in 1905, and served until 1936. A joint
resolution was passed by the Maryland General Asssembly in 1927,
which entitled him to complete his second 15 year term and therefore
serve
eight years beyond the mandatory retirement age. While on the bench,
Judge Duncan helped secure passage of an
act in 1914, which helped establish a Juvenile Court for Baltimore
County, over which he later presided, as a function of the Circuit
Court. This is credited as the first court of this nature in the State.
In 1944, the Genearl Assembly passed a state-wide Juvenile Court Act.
After his retirement, Judge Duncan served as Receiver for the
Pikesville National Bank and Hampstead National Bank. Member and
officer of numerous fraternal organizations. Chair, Board of Directors,
Towson National Bank. Member, Board of Managers, Maryland House of
Correction; Board of Visitors, Maryland State School for the Deaf at
Frederick; Board of Directors, Hosptial for Consumptives of Maryland
(also known as the Eudowood Sanatorium at Towson).
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