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 1856
From History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time (1911)
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 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.