Tuesday night was a poor time for auto thieves in this place, it seems, for the rain made the getting away difficult. Oliver Godfrey's car was taken and was found in front of the Gulledge home stuck in the new sewer ditch. The car of Archie Duncan was taken and it was also found stuck in a ditch. The car of Stanley Duncan was also found stuck in the mud. Mud is good for something.

The Carrollton Chronicle - Friday, February 24, 1928
Submitted by Edward Lynn Williams

Archie Duncan Week
By Georgia Ogle

On Tuesday Evening, June 17, 1986, family members and friends attended a special session of the Carrollton City Council, at which Archie Duncan was honored for his dedicated service to the city.

He began work for the City of Carrollton as tax assessor-collector, water-sewer superintendent, and city secretary in 1941 when the City budget was $10,467.  He was the only paid employee until 1946 when one part-time clerical employee was hired.  At times during this period, he also served as city Marshall and night watchman. These many duties earned him the title of "Mr. Carrollton."  He retired after 23 years service in 1964.

He was born in the vicinity of Old Denton Road and Trinity Mills in 1901, the son of an ordained Methodist minister. (See Elm Fork Echoes, Vol. 1, No. 2, November 1974, for the Duncan Family story.)  He graduated from Carrollton High School and Draughn's Business College. He worked on the family farm, was bookkeeper-assistant manager for the North Texas Gin Company, and was a land surveyor for the U.S. Government in the 1030's.  He served from 1930 to 1941 as a member of the Carrollton School Board of Trustees.

Some of the events and City Council actions during his tenure were:

1. The first zoning ordinance and city building code were adopted, and the Planning and Zoning Commission appointed
2. Fist full-time, uniformed firemen and policemen
3. In 1950, the combination City Hall, Fire Station and Community House on Broadway was built to replace the frame structure on the Pioneer Park triangle at a cost of $30,000
4. The Crosby Road Civic Center and Library were built
5. The first City Manager was hired
6. The Home Rule Charter was adopted in 1961
7. The City celebrated its 50th birthday anniversary

Archie married the former Marie Cunningham; they have one daughter Janice and a son-in-law, Roy Garrison. Janice followed in her father's footsteps and is today the City Secretary. The Duncans have two grandchildren, Drucilla Sparks and Duncan Garrison. The present family circle includes three great grandchildren -- Emily and Austin Sparks and Melanie Garrison.

Daughter Janice Duncan Garrison was recognized as Carrollton Woman of the Year on September 5, 1986, by the Women's Charity Organization of the Metrocrest.

Elm Fork Echoes; Vol 14; Number 2, November 1986
Submitted by Edward Lynn Williams

DUNCAN
ARCHIE DOUGLAS, 92 of Carrollton, passed away February 1, 1993 in Farmers Branch. He was born in Carrollton January 9, 1901. Mr. Duncan was the City Secretary for the City of Carrollton for 25 years, retiring in the early 60's. He served on the Board of Trustees of the Carrollton School Board and was a member of the Lions Club..  Mr. Duncan farmed the Carrollton area most of his life and operated the only cotton gin in Carrollton in the 1930's.  He is survived by his wife, Marie Duncan, Carrollton, daughter & son-in-law, Janice & Roy Garrison. Carrollton, grandchildren, Drucilla & C. W. Sparks, Dallas, Duncan & Paula Garrison, New Braunfels, great grandchildren, Melanie & Robert Ambs, Carrollton, Austin Sparks, Dallas, and Emily Sparks, Dallas, numerous nieces & nephews. Services Thursday, February 4, 1993 11 A.M. RHOTON CHAPEL. Pastor Wayne Putman officiating. Interment Furneaux Cemetery, Carrollton.
RHOTON FUNERAL HOME - I-35 at Crosby Road, Carrollton

The Dallas Morning News - February 3, 1993
Submitted by Edward Lynn Williams

The Dallas Morning News - February 3, 1993
Submitted by Edward Lynn Williams

DUNCAN
MARIE CUNNINGHAM - NOV 23, 1903 - BLANK
ARCHIE D. - JAN 9, 1901 - FEB 1, 1993

Furneaux Cemetery, Carrollton, Denton County, Texas