In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1854, Clinton county
From History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time (1911)
JAMES DUNN
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 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.