Sarah (Duncan) DeCow

MRS. SARAH (DUNCAN) DECOW, widow of Abner DeCow, is one of the earliest settlers of Labette county, Kansas. She is also one of the most highly esteemed residents of the town of Bartlett, where she built the third house erected.

Abner DeCow was born in Canada, November 12, 1826, and was a farmer by occupation, being one of the very first settlers of Labette county. He took up a claim in Hackberry township, built a cabin 16 by 18 feet in size, and lived there until his death, in 1870. He is still remembered by the oldest residents of the county as a man of high principles and an honor to the community.

Mrs. DeCow was born in Newcastle, Ohio, in 1837, and is a daughter of Alexander Duncan, who was born in Virginia and followed farming. He married Sarah Lepley, who was born in Pennsylvania, and of the 14 children born to them, the following are now living: Kate; Samuel; Sarah; Frances; Shannon; Alice; Amanda; Cleora; M. Jackson; and John. Sarah Duncan lived in her native county until she was sixteen years old, and then moved with her parents to Winneshiek county, Iowa, where she was married. She accompanied her husband to Labette county, Kansas, in 1867, and located in Hackberry township. After the death of her husband she moved to Bartlett, where she built the third house in the town, and for eight years conducted a restaurant. She built her present home in 1895, - an eight-room, frame house of comfortable size. She is a woman possessed of many high traits of character, and is universally admired and respected. She and her husband became parents of seven children, as follows: George; Charity; Shannon; Maggie; Oliver; Frank; and Mabel, deceased.