John J Dana

DANA

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/10/2009 at 21:16:17

John J Dana, one of the thrifty farmers of Union township, was born in Washington county, Maine, June 8, 1833, and is a son of William D and Mary E Dana. Upon the home farm our subject was reared. In his youth he entered the common schools of the neighborhood and when he had acquired his preliminary knowledge he entered the Bridgewater State Normal School of Massachusetts, in which institution he was graduated with the class of 1854. Later he engaged in teaching in the old Bay state for a number of terms. Subsequently he followed the same profession in Maine and Iowa. His attention was entirely given to educational work through the winter months while in the summer seasons he carried on farming. The year 1863 witnessed his removal from the Pine Tree state to the Mississippi valley and he took up his abode in Macoupin county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming for a year. On the expiration of that period he removed to Chicago and was employed in the stock yards for a year. In 1865 he arrived in Iowa, settling first in Jones county where he engaged in farming for four years.
Mr Dana came to Boone county in 1869. He had previously visited this county in the fall of 1868 and had purchased the land which he now owns, settling thereon the following year. He first built a little shanty in which he lived while performing the initial labor of the farm transforming thence wild prairie into a rich and lovely place. In course of time, however, the pioneer home was replaced by a good residence and barns were also built. Forest and fruit trees have been planted many substantial improvements have been made indicating the progressive and practical spirit of the owner.
Mr Dana went to Massachusetts in 1858 and was married in that state in the month of April to Sarah E Warren, whose birth there occurred. She was to him a faithful companion and helpmate on life’s journey for almost thirty years and her many excellencies of character gained for her the warm regard of a large circle of friends. On December 6, 1887, she as called to her final rest and her remains were interred n the Fairview cemetery. Six children were born of that marriage. W A who is married and makes him home in St Paul, Minnesota, Charles L, a resident framer of Union township. Boone county, George G, a mechanic employed in the J I Case words of Racine, Wisconsin, Anna c, the wife of E A Jewell, of Union township, Charlotte W, who is a trained nurse of Boston, Massachusetts, and Mary A, who is a successful teacher of Wisconsin. After the death of his first wife, Mr Dana returned to Maine3 and was there a second time married, on January 29, 1891, the lady of his choice being Mary Sophronia Gates, who was born in Washington county of the Pine Tree state. She had at one time been a pupil of Mr Dana and subsequently became a teacher, while still later she became connected with a mercantile establishment. Mr Dana is a member of the Unitarian church wile his wife belongs to the Episcopalian church. His life has been a busy, useful and active one. As an educator he imparted clearly and concisely to others the knowledge that he had acquired. As a farmer he has been progressive and industrious and in all of his business affairs he has been reliable and trustworthy. He is now numbere3d among the old settlers of the county, having since 1869 reside with in its borders, covering a period of thirty-three years.
Study of the political issues and questions that gave rise to the two old parties has led Mr Dana to give his political support tot eh Republican party and his first presidential vote was cast for John C Fremont in 1856. He was elected and served for two years as county surveyor and in the township he has filled the positions of trustee and assessor and has also been a member of the school board for a number of years. His labors have been effective in promoting the general welfare. He has ever been found as a most loyal officer and over the record of his public career and private life there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. He has been a delegate to a number of conventions in his party and is regarded as one of the prominent Republicans of the locality.

1902 Boone County History Book