My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Brown County, Ohio published by W. H. Beers & Co. in 1883.  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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JAMES H. DUNN, farmer, P. O. Brownstown. The largest landholder and one of the wealthiest men of Brown County is Mr. James H. Dunn. He was born near Youngstown, Ohio, February 2, 1808. His grandfather on his mother’s side, Robert Hamilton, came from Ireland in 1776, enlisted in the Revolutionary war and served till its close. He died in 1837, aged eighty years. Clarkson and Elizabeth Dunn, the parents of our subject were natives of Maryland. Mr. Dunn was a soldier in the war of 1812, and in 1816, with his wife and three children descended the Ohio River in a flat-boat and landed at Ripley. He removed to the old county seat on Straight Creek, and in 1817 located near Georgetown, and two years later near Sardinia. He was for many years Trustee of the township, and was a prominent man. He died in September, 1852, and six years later Mrs. D. departed this life. James is the eldest son and child of a family of six children. He was reared a farmer boy, and for an education had access to the schools of the district, which were held in rude log cabins. When twenty years old he learned saddletree-making, which he followed winters for two years. In 1830, he bought a farm of 100 acres and afterward sold it. In 1838, he purchased 670 acres of Survey No. 3,519 from Gen. Thomas L. Hamer. The following year he made a trip to Marion County, Ind., for the purpose of purchasing land, but returned and located on his land. For nine years previous to this, he was engaged in the cabinet business with Robert Hamilton. Since that time Mr. Dunn has followed farming and stock-raising, and dealing with success almost unparalleled by any other person in Brown County. In 1880, he owned 2,700 acres of land, and at the present time he owns but 2,422 acres, having divided among his children. In 1862, he was the third largest tax-payer in Brown County. He is financially one of the most reliable solid citizens of Brown County. He is one of the heaviest stockholders in the First National Bank of Georgetown and is one of its chosen Directors. His political affiliations are with the Democratic party. His marriage occurred September 28, 1830, with Elizabeth, daughter of Edward and Elizabeth Day. Mrs. Dunn was born in Clermont County May 1, 1812. Eleven children were born to this union — Ira B.; Abigail, wife of Louis Bingham; Julia A.; wife of Marion Tracy; Elizabeth, wife of Martin Courts; Perry F.; Ormon F.; Margaret E., wife of Hanson Vance; James C.; John W.; Joseph E.; and Caroline F., wife of James Cumberland.

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This family biography is one of 992 biographies included in The History of Brown County, Ohio published in 1883 by W. H. Beers & Co.  For the complete description, click here: Brown County, Ohio History and Genealogy

View additional Brown County, Ohio family biographies here: Brown County, Ohio Biographies

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