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Below is a family biography included in Portrait and Biographical Record of Berrien and Cass Counties, Michigan published by Biographical Publishing Company in 1893.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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ANSON L. DUNN, who was a native of Hillsdale County, Mich., was born in 1838. After a life of usefulness, in which he became a prosperous agriculturist, successful merchant and occupied with honor various official positions, he passed away in Cass County in 1888, sincerely lamented by a wide circle of acquaintances throughout the State. Our subject was one of eight children of Archibald and Sallie A. (Monroe) Dunn, who were born, reared and married in the State of New York. The father and mother came to Michigan about 1835 and located in Hillsdale County, where they remained until 1855, when they made Cass County their permanent home. Archibald Dunn survived until 1889; the mother is still living. The Dunns are of Irish ancestry, but various members of the family have for generations been numbered among the substantial American citizens. Anson L. Dunn spent the early days of his youth in Hillsdale County, and, accompanying his parents to their new residence in 1859, was from his first days of manhood associated with the growth and progress of Cass County. In 1859 our subject was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Gill, only daughter of John and Ann (Kneale) Gill, both of whom were born upon the Isle of Man, and there attaining to mature years emigrated to America, and were married near Cleveland, Ohio

Mr. and Mrs. Gill settled in Mason Township, Cass County, Mich., in 1835 and in 1841 the mother and eldest child died. At that time Mrs. Dunn was but nine months old. In 1843, the father married Miss Martha Thompson, and Mr. and Mrs. Gill later in life made their home with Mrs. Dunn, and both passed away tenderly cared for by their devoted daughter. Mr. Gill was one of the pioneers of Cass County, and cleared a homestead which he took up from the Government. He sold his farm in 1866, later removed to Adamsville and later came to Jones, Cass County. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Gill, William Gill and his wife, followed their son John to Ohio, and died in the Buckeye State. When Mr. and Mrs. Dunn began life together they bought a small farm and made their home in a board house 12x14 feet in dimensions. In this humble abode they passed one and a-half years, the husband and wife both doing their part in the daily work of life. They were soon enabled to buy another farm, but in a few years sold that property and invested in a one hundred and twenty acre tract of land, to which from time to time other acres were added, until at the period of Mr. Dunn’s death he owned a large and valuable farm.

In 1864 our subject enlisted in Company D, Fifteenth Michigan Infantry, and courageously served until the close of the war. Mr. Dunn was elected County Treasurer in 1870, and with able fidelity discharging the duties of the responsible position was a second time elected to the office by his constituents. He also served as Supervisor of the township for two years, and in the transaction of business gave universal satisfaction, besides serving in various other offices. In the spring of 1879 he engaged in the handling of merchandise, and continued in the mercantile business until his last illness and death, July, 1888. Although only about fifty years of age, Mr. Dunn had been a great sufferer for many years prior to his demise, but with fortitude endured all, and was always a busy man, energetic and enterprising. He was a valued member of the Baptist Church and a liberal supporter of its good work. Mr. and Mrs. Dunn were the parents of three sons. Garry is a leading merchant of Jones; George resides in Jones; and Frank lives on the old farm and assists in the cultivation of the two hundred and eighty acres of fertile land which comprise the homestead.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the Portrait and Biographical Record of Berrien and Cass Counties, Michigan published in 1893. 

View additional Cass County, Michigan family biographies here: Cass County, Michigan Biographies

View a map of 1911 Cass County, Michigan here: Cass County Michigan Map

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