My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Portrait and Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio published by Chapman Bros., in 1890.  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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JOHN DUNKEL, one of the most substantial farmers of Mad River Township, Clark County, has a very fine body of land, two hundred and eighty-one acres in extent, and located on section 11. He is widely and favorably known throughout his township, and is looked upon as one of its leading citizens. He was born near Lancaster, Pa., October 23, 1821, and is the son of John Dunkel, Sr., likewise a native of that county, and of German descent.

The father of our subject was a farmer and hotel keeper, operating as “mine host” on the pike between Lancaster and Harrisburg, Pa. He was familiarly known as Capt. Dunkel, on account of his services in the State Militia. He died in his native place in 1859. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Susan Kline, was a native of the same county as her husband, and the daughter of Jacob Kline, a native of Pennsylvania, and a stonemason by trade. After the death of her husband, the mother, in 1868, came to Clark County, and made her home with her granddaughter, Mrs. Fanny Kreider, where she died in 1883. She was a member of the Mennonite Church.

The parents of our subject had eight children: Jacob is a resident of Enon; Mary died in Mad River Township, when about sixty-eight years old; John, Jr., was the third child; Elizabeth, Mrs. Long, lives in Mad River Township; Samuel died there about 1878; Henry lives in Shelby County, Ind.; Susan, Mrs. Landis, died in that county; Aaron died in Philadelphia, Pa.; Henry and Aaron served in the Civil War, the former in an Ohio regiment, and the latter as Captain in a Pennsylvania regiment. Aaron was confined nine months in Libby Prison. He was a printer by trade, and a man of prominence in the Keystone State, having served two terms as State Senator.

John Dunkel, Jr., attended school with his brothers during his boyhood and remained a member of the parental household until reaching his majority. Shortly prior to this he was married, September 15, 1842, to Miss Elizabeth Binkly, a native of his own county, and the daughter of John Binkly, who had a mill on Welsh Hill.

After his marriage Mr. Dunkel employed himself variously for three years, and then went into the hotel with his father, where he continued seven years. He next purchased ten acres of land, and afterward added to it forty, acres, carrying on farming and hotel keeping jointly. He put up a good house and bought more land, and thus operated for eleven years.

In 1865 Mr. Dunkel sold this farm and purchased his present place in Mad River Township, this first consisting of one hundred and sixty-five acres. There was only a small house upon it, and the later improvements are the results of his own perseverance and industry. He has gradually added to his possessions, and in the meantime has given considerable attention to stock-raising. His land is very fertile, with a good supply of water upon it. He has three sets of farm buildings, and everything about him convenient for the prosecution of agriculture after the most approved methods. His residence is one of the finest in the county. The homestead is located nine miles from Springfield and two miles from Enon. Mr. Dunkel keeps twenty head of horses, and uses two teams in the farm operations. He has a fine large flock of sheep, besides numbers of cattle and swine.

Of his first marriage there were born to Mr. Dunkel six children, namely: Henry and Phares, deceased; John B., a merchant of Enon; Elizabeth, Mrs. Esterline, who lives in Mad River; Amelia, Mrs. Lipp, of Bath Township, Greene County; and Abraham, also merchandising at Enon. The mother of these children died in Pennsylvania in 1853.

Mr. Dunkel contracted a second marriage in the Keystone State, in 1857, with Miss Mahala Hockman. This lady is likewise a native of Lancaster County, and the daughter of Jacob Hockman, a shoemaker by trade. Her union with Mr. Dunkel resulted in the birth of six children, namely: Susan is the wife of John Bowman, an engineer, and they reside in Springfield; Frances married Earl Miller, a butcher of Springfield; Aaron wedded Miss Lura Schrader, is operating the home farm, and like his father is a shrewd business man; Annie M. is the wife of John Hower, Jr., a farmer of Bath Township, Greene County; Emma married Joseph Ervin, and lives eight miles north of Springfield, Ohio; she is a teacher by profession; Ora remains at home with her parents. Mr. Dunkel affiliates with the Democratic party, and has served as School Director, but is not ambitious for office, preferring domestic life to the excitement of a public career.

In connection with the biographical sketch of Mr. Dunkel, a lithographic portrait* of himself and wife are presented. Mrs. Dunkel enjoys the universal esteem of her acquaintances, and is a lady of refinement and culture, possessing those characteristics which form the elements of true womanhood. In the best circles of society she and her husband find a cordial welcome, and are worthy representatives of the honorable and up-right residents of Mad River Township.

*A portrait was included in the original printed volume.

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This family biography is one of the many biographies included in Portrait and Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio published by Chapman Bros., in 1890. 

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

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