Skip to main content

Charles H. Duncker, Jr. Collection

 Collection
Identifier: A3153

Scope and Contents

The collection is comprised of four Duncker family letters dating from September to November 1918; photocopies of documents relating to the Duncker Hall cornerstone at Washington University dated 1923 and 1924; and photocopies of newspaper clippings and articles related to Charles H. Duncker, Jr., the war in France, and to Duncker Hall. The collection is arranged alphabetically by type of document, family correspondence, and photocopies, with documents arranged chronologically within each category. The collection dates from 1918 to approximately 1998 with a large gap from 1925 to 1997.

Charles Duncker, Jr. wrote the two earliest of the family letters to his younger brother, Henry, whom he addressed as “Dear Heinz,” while he was in France in September 1918. In the first letter on September 8th, Charles asked Henry what insignia he wore and wished him luck in obtaining a commission. The second letter, written on September 26th, explained his regiment’s situation and the nighttime artillery and gas barrages. Charles found that he was “very comfortably situated…in a solid concrete pillbox with some good German beds in it.”

The final two letters are dated after Charles’ death. There is a typed copy of a letter written by Lt. DeMott Modisette to Charles Duncker, Sr. on October 20th. Modisette explained the circumstances of Charles’ death and his funeral in France, over which Chaplain E.L. O’Toole, also a St. Louisan, officiated. Charles Duncker, Sr. enclosed this typed copy in a letter that he wrote to Henry on November 12th, hoping to arrange to see him in Louisville the coming weekend. Mr. Duncker explained in the final line, “I have no official notice from the U.S. only the letter copy enclosed.”

The several photocopies include two newspaper maps, Belgium and France, from October 1917; documents and a newspaper article relating to the laying of the cornerstone and its contents at Duncker Hall in June 1923; a newspaper article and the text of the memorial tablet placed on the east wall of Duncker Hall; and a biographical article about Charles Duncker, Jr. dated approximately 1998. Several of the copies concerning Duncker Hall bear a heading, “From Wash U Publications,” which indicates that the original documents are at Washington University.

Dates

  • 1918-ca. 1998
  • Majority of material found within 1918-1924

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

For permission to publish, quote from, or reproduce material in this collection, please contact the Archives Reference Desk at archives@mohistory.org. Copyright restrictions may apply. The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright.

Biographical Sketch

Charles Henry Duncker, Jr. was born on 12 January 1893 to Pauline Elizabeth (Doerr) and Charles Henry Duncker, Sr. (1865-1952). The elder Duncker was president of the Trorlicht-Duncker Carpet Company (founded in 1863) in downtown St. Louis. Charles attended Central High School and graduated from Washington University in 1914 with a major in chemistry. He married Ada Nicholson, the daughter of James Nicholson, in May 1918 before he sailed for France. Charles completed an Officers Training Camp at Fort Riley, Kansas, before serving in the 340th Field Artillery, 89th Division (draftees). His younger brother, Henry Philip Duncker (1899-1964), also graduated from Washington University and served in the U.S. Army in WWI. Charles was killed in action near Thiaucourt, France, by a German high-explosive shell on 17 October 1918. His captain’s commission reached his regiment days after his death.

Charles Duncker, Sr. donated money for the construction of Duncker Hall at Washington University in honor of his son. It was the first home of the School of Commerce and Finance. The building was completed in 1924 with a memorial tablet on its east wall and with a cornerstone that included items relating to Charles Duncker, Jr.’s college days and military career. Charles was also included in other St. Louis WWI memorials. Most notably, his name was inscribed on the Cenotaph at Soldiers Memorial Military Museum and the American Legion Charles Henry Duncker, Jr. Post #157 was established in his honor.

Extent

0.06 Cubic Feet ( (2 folders))

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

The collection is arranged alphabetically by type of document.

Physical and Technical Requirements

There are no physical or technical restrictions.

Donor Information

The collection was donated by the Duncker family in 2020 (accession number 2020-056).

Related Materials

See photograph of Charles H. Duncker, Jr. in Photo and Prints Department (P0159-00127).

See Museum Collections for flag and flagpole from the American Legion Charles Henry Duncker, Jr. Post 157 (2020-056-0001, -0002).

Sources Consulted During Processing

O’Connor, Candace. “The Historic Hilltop: Duncker Hall,” Washington University Magazine and Alumni News, Fall 1998 : 24. (https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/70380166.pdf)

Miyatsu, Rose. “WWI Collections; Remembering Charles Duncker, Jr.” University Archives & Local History Blog, (17 October 2018), https://library.wustl.edu/wwi-collections-remembering-charles-duncker-jr/.


Processing Information

Processed with funding from The Stuart Foundation, Inc. by Kristina Perez, 2021.

Title
Inventory of Charles H. Duncker, Jr. Collection
Status
Completed
Author
EAD by Kristina Perez using ArchivesSpace
Date
2021
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Missouri Historical Society Library and Research Center Repository

Contact:
225 S. Skinker Blvd.
St. Louis MO 63105 United States
314-746-4510