In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. A few names of people born after 1905 are withheld for privacy. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1881
From History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time (1911)
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 History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time (1911). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1911. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.