The Dunn Families of Linn County, Iowa

A descendant of one of the pioneer families of Iowa, James Dunn, who operates one of the finest farms in Linn county and who is the owner of seven hundred and seventy acres of valuable land in Spring Grove township, stands well to the fore as one of the representative citizens of this county. A native of the state, he was born November 5, 1854, in Clinton county, his parents being Alexander and Susan (Crawshaw) Dunn, the former of Irish and the latter of English birth.

Alexander Dunn came to ximerica in 1837 and at once located in Clinton county, Iowa, where he secured a farm of three hundred and twenty acres of raw land. Steadily he improved it, draining the land and erecting a house, barn and the necessary outbuildings, and, as the years rolled past, he continued to improve the place until it became one of the best in that section of the country. There, too, he reared his family of children, all of whom are now residents of the state. For forty-nine years he and his wife lived there and then retired in 1886, locating near Clinton, where he died January 20, 1890. His wife, who survives him, makes her home with her son James. She is ninety-one years old, yet is hale and hearty, in complete possession of all her faculties and gifted with wonderful memory for the days of the early pioneers.

James Dunn remained with his parents, working upon the home farm until he had attained the age of twenty-one years. Then for a.year he operated one of the farms owned by his father in Linn county. His duties called him to his father's place for a time but he later returned to Linn county and operated two hundred and seventy acres of land which he secured from his father. He was remarkably successful and soon purchased five hundred acres of land, which now makes him the owner of seven hundred and seventy acres. This farm he has improved very decidedly, has erected a fine house, four large and commodious barns, sheds for grain and feed, cattle and storage of machinery, and has erected a fine sixty-foot steel-tower wind-mill.

Miss Mary Dunn, the daughter of Patrick and Elizabeth Dunn, both natives of Ireland, became the wife of James Dunn on the 13th of November, 1879. There were six children born of this union, namely: James A., who is married and is living in Spring Grove township: Arthur B., who is married and is living in South Dakota; Ernest G., Charles II., Edna V. and Leo M., all living at home, the last named being but two years old.

Mr. Dunn's political allegiance has been given to the democracy but he has never sought office, his business affairs and his home being the recipients of his entire attention and energy. Fraternally he is connected with the Mutual Brotherhood Association of Alburnett, Iowa, while he and his family affiliate with the Methodist church. LTsing his opportunities to the best advantage, he lias made an enviable record as an alert, enterprising business man and has won a pleasurable amount of success as a result of his energy and ability.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JAMES A. DUNN

James A. Dunn, who owns and operates a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Spring Grove township, is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He is a native of that township, his birth having occurred upon his father's homestead, just a short distance from where he now lives, on the 16th of April, 1881. He is a son of James and Mary Dunn, natives of Iowa, and grandson of those pioneers, Alexander and Snsan Dunn, who settled in Clinton county, this state, in 1837. The father came to Linn county in 1875 with his wife and since that time has resided here, having become one of the most prominent citizens and representative men of the community.

James A. Dunn was reared to farm "life and attended the district schools of Spring Grove township, where he received his education. He was married at the age of twenty-four years and, until that event transpired, made his home with his parents, assisting his father with the work upon the large farm owned by the latter. On September 5, 1905, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Dunn and

Miss Esther Moles, a daughter of John and Ella Moles, both of whom were natives of Iowa. They have become the parents of one son, [name withheld], who was born in 1906. Following their marriage Mr. Dunn purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land adjoining that occupied and owned by his father and has continued to live upon the place since that time. He has greatly improved its condition, recently erecting an excellent harn thirty-three by forty feet, has built an addition to his house, and installed a forty-foot steel-tower wind-mill of latest design. While a republican in politics Mr. Dunn takes little interest, other than as a voter, in the political affairs of the county. He is serving his township in the capacity of secretary of the school board but does not desire political preferment of any kind. With his wife he holds membership in the Methodist church. He is a man whose enterprise has won him prosperity and he is rated as one of the sound and honest men of the community.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN A. DUNN

John A. Dunn, who owns and operates a well improved farm of two hundred acres in Jackson township, also conducts a dairy business. He is a native of Iowa, born in Clinton county, May 22, 1856, a son of Alexander and Susan Dunn. The former was born in Ireland, while the latter claimed England as the place of her nativity. They came to America with their respective parents during childhood and the father located in Iowa when a young man. He entered government land in Clinton county and there spent his remaining days. The mother still survives and now makes her home in Linn county. Of their ten children six are living.

John A. Dunn was reared on the home farm in Clinton county, early being trained in the tasks of the fields as he assisted his father in the work of plowing, planting and harvesting the crops. He pursued his education in the district schools and after putting aside his text-books began life on a farm in Otter Creek township, Linn county, which was given him by his father. He made his home on that place for fifteen years, after which he removed to St. Clair county, Missouri, where he continued farming operations for ten years. On the expiration of that period he disposed of his land in Missouri and returning to Linn county, purchased his present farm of two hundred acres, situated in Jackson township. He follows modern methods of agriculture, and each year his labors are rewarded by the golden harvests which he gathers. He also conducts a dairy, his products finding a ready sale on the market.

In 1 879 Mr. Dunn was married to Miss Jennie Robison, a daughter of Thomas and Isabel Robison, both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Dunn is a native of Canada and is one of a family of four children. By her marriage she has become the mother of eight children, as follows: Louis A., at home; Susan V., the wife of George P. Kennedy; Alice, the wife of Marion Nightingale, of Linn county; May, the wife of John Page, of Clinton, this state; Claud R.; Ira M.; one who died in infancy; and Oral D.

A democrat in principle and practice, Mr. Dunn is public-spirited in a marked degree, always interested in the welfare of the community, he has served on the school hoard, being a firm friend of educational interests. He belongs to the Modern "Woodmen Camp at Central City, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs. Inheriting the sterling characteristics of his foreign ancestry and making wise use of his opportunities, he has advanced in the business world until he is now classed among Linn county's most successful and well-to-do residents.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN N. DUNN

Among the leading business men of Linn county who devote their attention principally to the stock business is John N. Dunn, residing on section 14, Maine township, near Central City. He is a representative of a good old New England family, his paternal grandfather having come to this country from England and having been one of the first settlers of Vermont. Our subject's father, Lewis A. Dunn, D.D., was born in Bakersfield. Vermont, on the 12th of June. 1814, and was reared and educated in the east, attending school at New Hampton, New

(( 71- Hampshire. In early life he entered the ministry of the Baptist church and preached at Fairfax, Vermont, for thirty years. He then came to Iowa in 1871! and for twelve years was president of the Central University at Pella. He next spent four years in Marshall, Michigan, hut at the end of that time returned to Pella, where he made his home until his death in iSSS. He was regarded as one of the leading ministers of his denomination and was also prominent in public affairs. In politics he was an ardent republican, serving in the Vermont legislature, and was one of the founders of the Reform School in that state. He was broad and liberal in his views and lie was well informed on all subjects, having made two tours through Europe, Egypt and Palestine. As an author he also attracted considerable attention, having published several works, including one entitled The Footprints of the Redeemer in the Holy Land.

In 1842 Rev. L. A. Dunn was united in marriage to Miss Lucy X. Teel, who died in 1853. By that union he had four children, namely: George, who entered the cavalry service during the war of the Rebellion and lost his life at Appomattox, being the last soldier killed before Lee surrendered; Cornelia, the wife of John W, Henry, of Berkeley, California; Albert, deceased, who was also a prominent minister of the Baptist church and served as secretary of the state convention in Maine; and Lucy, the wife of Dr. Hendershop, of Monroe, Iowa. The father was again married in 1854, his second union being with Arvilla Hammond, by whom he had three children: John N., of this review; and Ida L. and Mary, both deceased. The mother passed away in May, 1904.

John N. Dunn was born in Franklin county, Vermont, March 3, 1855, and spent his boyhood in the east, attending school in Fairfax, Vermont. After coming to Iowa he entered the Central College, from which he was graduated in 1881 with the degree of B. C, and later studied medicine for two years at Iowa City, but, being in ill health, he was forced to abandon that profession and secure outdoor work. Coming to Linn county in 1888, he embarked in the stock business, with his father-in-law, Chandler Jordan, proprietor of the Maine Valley Stock Farm, which was established in 1872. Mr. Dunn has since devoted his entire time and attention to this business, making a specialty of Scotch shorthorn cattle, Poland China hogs, Shropshire sheep and barred Plymouth Rock chickens. The Breeder's Gazette in speaking of his place said that today on the Maine Valley Farm is to be found one of the most uniform herds in the west. In this enterprise he has met with most excellent success, and he and his children are today the owners of about eight hundred and sixty acres of well improved and valuable land and one of the most valuable herds of shorthorn cattle in the country. He also owns stock in the Central City bank and has real estate in Pella, Iowa. Enterprising and energetic, he has prospered in all his undertakings and is regarded as one of the most progressive and leading business men of his community.

On September 23, 1886, Mr. Dunn was united in marriage to Miss Josie J. Jordan, a daughter of Chandler Jordan, who was one of the pioneers of Linn county, arriving here in 1844. Xo land in Maine township had at that time been entered from the government. He was acknowledged to be one of the most prominent and influential citizens of the county and took active and helpful part in its development and progress. He died November 29, 1909, having for only a short period survived his wife, who passed away on the loth of July of the same year. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dunn were born three children. Julia A., Lewis J. and Jessie S., all attending Central College. The wife and mother passed away December 10, 1907, mourned by many friends as well as her immediate family. She was born in Maine township, August 18, 1861, and was therefore forty-six.years, three months and twenty-two days of age when called to her final rest. She was educated in the public schools of Linn county and spent six years at Central University at Pella, Iowa, from which institution she was graduated with valedictorian honors in June, 1885, the degree of Bachelor of Arts being at that time conferred upon lier. With the exception of the six years spent at school and eighteen months' residence at Pella following her marriage, she always resided on the farm where she was born.

At her death one of the local papers said: ''Her life was spent, her work done, among the friends and surrounding's of her childhood and young womanhood. These friends and associations, together with her family, she prized and loved above all earthly things, and here she was content to live, to labor, and exemplify in her daily life her piety and devotion that shed its radiance on every relation in life she assumed. She was, in the highest and best sense, everybody's friend. She had a kind word and friendly hand for all; she was sweet tempered, soft voiced and always self contained. She was thoughtful, careful of speech and act, and always weighed well her words of counsel, advice or criticism. She had the highest regard for the rights of others, and her first thought was, in any proposition, what is the right thing to do or say. This alone was her guiding star, and once determined what, was right, nothing could move her from it. She was thoroughly educated and refined in all the graces of true womanhood, and yet there was never a display or insinuation of superior attainments, but a nice regard for all the fine sensibilities of her associates, and always a sinking of self in the work proposed or accomplished. She was devoted to the work of the church and Sunday school, and never shirked responsibility of any thing that promised an uplift of the work there. Her life was consecrated to her family, and she was a dutiful and loving daughter and sister, a noble wife and mother, a good neighbor and friend, which made her whole life a benediction to her family, her church, her neighbors and her friends. She leaves her husband and three children, her aged parents and one sister, and a legion of friends, whose every heart, will always beat responsive to homemory, and her death leaves a vacancy in the church, the Sunday school, the Aid and Mission societies, that all feel will be hard to fill."

Being one of the prominent and influential citizens of his part of the county, Mr. Dunn has taken quite an active part in public affairs. He is the secretary and was one of the organizers of the Farmers' Institute and also of the Linn County Fair Association. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the republican party and lias served as school director and township trustee for several years. An earnest, member of the Baptist church, he is now serving as deacon and has filled the offices of treasurer for twenty years and as Sunday-school superintendent for nineteen years. He is also a. member of the board of Central College and of the board of the Baptist state convention. His life has ever been upright and honorable and wherever known lie is held in the highest regard.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.