My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in History of Union County, Iowa published by S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., in 1908.  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.

* * * *

Clarence Murray Dunn, deceased, was well known in Creston as a citizen of many sterling traits of character. For thirty-five years he was in the railroad service and his capability and efficiency were attested by long connection therewith. He was, moreover, a prominent and active church worker and took a helpful interest in many measures that contributed to the welfare and upbuilding of his community. His birth occurred in Steubenville, Ohio, in 1851 and his life record covered the period to the 26th of February, 1905, when he passed to his final rest. In the paternal line he came of Irish ancestry. His father, Estep Dunn, was a farmer of Ohio, who carefully conducted his agricultural and business interests. His political allegiance was given to the democracy. He wedded Mary Murray, who was born in Maryland and was of Scotch lineage, her father having been a Congregational minister, and of that church Mrs. Dunn became a devoted member.

Clarence Murray Dunn, the youngest of a family of six children, lived upon the home farm until thirteen years of age, and attended the country schools. He afterward went to Steubenville, where he entered upon his business career as a messenger boy in the telegraph office of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. In course of time he became an operator and when nineteen years of age he removed westward to Iowa, securing the position of telegraph operator at Afton, where he continued from 1870 until 1877. In that year he was appointed agent and so continued until 1883. He was then sent to Creston to take charge of the freight department for the Burlington Railroad Company and so continued until his death, his service with the company covering a period of thirty-five consecutive years, marked by the utmost fidelity to duty. In 1872 Mr. Dunn purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land near Afton and he owned two business blocks in Creston, of which Mrs. Dunn has since sold one. Following his removal to this city Mr. Dunn purchased the T. J. Potter property on West Adams street, where the family resided for ten years. Mrs. Dunn is now living in an attractive and modern home, which she built on the northeast part of the Potter lot.

Mr. Dunn was largely a self-educated and self-made man and possessed excellent business ability, good judgment and keen sagacity. He was a member of the Congregational church and took an active and helpful interest in its work, doing everything he could to promote the cause of Christianity. He also belonged to the Masonic fraternity and to the Modern Woodmen Camp and his life exemplified the beneficent spirit of these organizations. In his early days he was a democrat but afterward endorsed the principles of the republican party by his ballot at the polls. He never sought or desired office for himself, however, but was a member of the school board and the cause of education found in him a stalwart champion.

In 1875 Mr. Dunn was married to Miss Ida Bunker, who was born near Mendota, Illinois, in 1855, and is a daughter of Stephen and Elizabeth Bunker. Her father was a stockman, a lover, and owner of fine horses and was a veterinarian. He came of Scotch and French descent. In the year 1867 he arrived in Iowa, locating in La Porte City, where he was well known in business circles for a number of years. Both he and his wife were members of the Baptist church. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dunn were born three children. Earla is the wife of George D. Newcomb, a druggist of Creston. Lena is a teacher in the high school at Creston. She pursued her studies in the Bible Institute of Chicago and in Oberlin College and was graduated from Grinnell College in 1907. Her sister, Mrs. Newcomb, is an accomplished performer on the pipe organ, now serving as organist of the Congregational church. Minnie, the youngest of the family, is at home.

In the death of Mr. Dunn the wife and daughters lost a loving and devoted husband and father, who did everything in his power to promote the welfare and happiness of his loved ones. In all life’s relations he was actuated by high and honorable principles and worthy motives and those who knew him entertained for him the warmest regard. He was always quick to encourage others in right doing, to recognize and appreciate their efforts in that direction and to aid them in as far as it lay in his power, and his life was indeed that of a sincere Christian man.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 247 biographies included in The History of Union County, Iowa published in 1908.  For the complete description, click here: Union County, Iowa History and Genealogy

View additional Union County, Iowa family biographies: Union County, Iowa Biographies

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.