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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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EMMET DUNNING has been a resident of Cass County since a child of three years and has been prominently connected with its development, having witnessed and contributed to its progress materially and socially. As a farmer, he is energetic and industrious, and in his relations with his fellow-men genial and companionable. Since 1865 he has resided on section of Howard Township, where he owns and operates one hundred and eighty-eight acres of fertile land. He has attained a flattering success, although the path to prosperity has oft times been a rugged one; in the face of every discouragement he has persevered, never relaxing his energy, and he has lived to see his efforts rewarded.

Born in Erie County, Pa., on the 16th of October, 1833, our subject is the son of Allen and Minerva (Reynolds) Dunning. The father, who was a native of either Pennsylvania or New York, came to Michigan in 1836, and located in Cass County, purchasing property in Milton Township and devoting his attention to clearing and improving his property. He died at the age of seventy-three. His wife, who was a native of New York, passed away after a long and noble life of ninety years. Their family consisted of twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, ten of whom grew to manhood and womanhood and nine are still living. The surviving members of that once united family are now scattered, and the associations of the old home have been forever severed. But the children of this worthy couple, though now advanced in years and past life’s prime, have never forgotten the precepts instilled in their minds by the example and training received from their parents.

The eldest son of the family is the subject of this notice, who was a child of three years when he accompanied his parents to Michigan. He grew to manhood in Cass County and received such educational advantages as were offered by the schools of Milton Township, after which he conducted his studies for a time in Mishawaka, Ind.

He remained on the home farm until 1861, during which year he married Miss Carrie Hicks, a native of Ohio, and a lady possessing great nobility of character and culture. They have these children: Ella, wife of Charles Kimmerley; Ora May, who died at the age of three years and nine months; Margaret, wife of George Rathbun, a resident of Kansas; Grace, who married Perry Gifford and makes her home in Cass County; Flora, Lena, Charlotte and Raymond, who are with their parents.

After his marriage our subject located on a rented farm in Volinia Township, Cass County, but later purchased a farm in Van Buren County, Mich., where he remained for two years. Thence, in the spring of 1865, he removed to his present home. Politically, he has been a Republican, but is now a Prohibitionist. He is a prominent member of the Grange, and active in all measures and projects originated for the promotion of the interests of the community. He is a Trustee in the Union Church, which he aided in building, and has always been a generous contributor to religious enterprises, as was his father in years gone by.

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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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