John N. Dunn

As printed in 1911

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 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.