My Genealogy Hound

ISAAC R. DUNNING, M. D. The pretty little city of Benton Harbor boasts of a number of eminent physicians and surgeons, and of these none is more popular than Dr. Dunning. A skillful and successful practitioner, he has won the confidence of the people and has gained a reputation which is not limited to Benton Harbor, nor indeed to Berrien County itself. He is accurate and reliable in his diagnosis of cases, and is skillful in treating them, which accounts in a large measure for the success which has rewarded his efforts.

A native of the State in which he now resides, our subject was born in Cass County May 6, 1844. His paternal grandfather, Dr. Isaac Dunning, was born in New York State, whence at an early period in the history of Michigan he migrated hither and became a pioneer physician of Cass County. He traced his ancestry to England, and possessed the sturdy traits of character noticeable in people of that nationality. The father of our subject, Benjamin Booth Dunning, was a native of New York, and an early settler of Cass County, where his active life was principally spent. The mother of our subject was known in maidenhood by the name of Harriet Letson, and was born in New York, her ancestors being of English origin.

The boyhood of our subject was passed in his father’s home in Cass County and he early acquired the habits of industry and perseverance which have since aided him so greatly. His education was commenced in the common schools and afterward carried on m the Dowagiac High School, from which he was graduated. When his literary education had been completed, he commenced to read medicine with Drs. Psalter and Bloodgood, prominent physicians of Dowagiac, and in 1867 took his first course of lectures at the State University of Ann Arbor. Later he attended the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, and was graduated from that institution in 1869. On returning from school in 1869, the following winter, 1870, he practiced in Ohio with an uncle. In 1871, he located in Watervliet and remained there two years. However, he was not satisfied with the amount of theoretical knowledge acquired and the following year, after completing his studies in the Eclectic, he entered Rush Medical College at Chicago, and graduated from that institution in the spring of 1872. That year he left Watervliet and moved to Angola, Steuben County, Ind., where he carried on his practice for two years. In the spring of 1874 he located in Benton Harbor, believing this city to offer a splendid opening for a young man of ability. Here he has since resided, conducting an extensive practice in medicine and surgery. He is a member of the State Eclectic Association, and a man who keeps thoroughly abreast with the latest discoveries in the medical world.

The marriage of Dr. Dunning took place in 1880, and united him with Miss Julia A., daughter of James Eaman, of Benton Harbor. They have a pleasant home in this city and are prominent in the social circles of the community. While Dr. Dunning makes no special effort to keep posted upon minute details of public affairs, yet he is well informed in politics and gives his ballot to aid in the principles promulgated by the Republican party. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and also of the order of Modern Woodmen of America.