DUNN, Edward G. (ca. 1910)

DUNN, RYAN, DELKER

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/3/2014 at 12:34:56

HISTORY of CERRO GORDO COUNTY, IOWA
WHEELER, J.H. Vol. II. Pp. 683-84. Lewis Pub. Co. Chicago. 1910

BIOGRAPHY ~ EDWARD G. DUNN

A man of rare ability, wisdom and discernment, Edward G. Dunn is carrying on a substantial business in Mason City as a grain buyer and shipper, but is especially noted throughout northern Iowa as the originator of the Co-operative Farmers' Companies, over three hundred of which he has helped to organize. A son of Michael Dunn, he was born, August 18, 1879, at Nora Springs, Floyd county, Iowa, coming from Irish stock.

Born in Kings county, Ireland, February 2, 1843, Michael Dunn emigrated to the United States soon after attaining his majority, and lived the following five years in North Adams. Massachusetts. Coming from there to Iowa in 1869, he resided for some time in Charles City, but is now engaged in farming in Pleasant Valley township. He married in Charles City, Iowa, Anna Ryan, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, and as a girl of fifteen yeais came to this country with her parents, settling first in Detroit, Michigan, afterwards coming to Iowa. Of their nine children seven are now living, namely: Margaret, a school teacher, living at home; Edward G.; Katie; Anna, of Cedar Falls; Martha, also a school teacher; Bernard, of Mason City; and Patricia, a student in the Rockwell Catholic school.

Brought up on the home farm the early life of Edward G. Dunn was quiet and uneventful. He assisted his father during seed time and harvest, in the winter terms of school acquiring an excellent elementary education. He was very clever at his books, and in 1895 was graduated from the Nora Springs Seminary. Turning his attention, then to the study of law, he entered the University of Iowa, but at the end of his junior year, before time for him to be graduated he left the institution to embark in business. Locating at Burehinal (sic), Cerro Gordo county, Mr. Dunn began life for himself as a grain dealer. Finding, however, that the co-operative concerns were discriminated against by the big line companies, he retired from that trade at the end of a year. Since that time Mr. Dunn has devoted his time and energies to the organization of Co-operative Farmers' Companies, a work which has proved of more practical value and benefit to the common people than any ever established in the state. Mr. Dunn is now a grain buyer in Mason City, in this industry being associated with Lloyd, Hoyt & Company, of Chicago, a well known commission firm.

Fraternally Mr. Dunn is a member of Saint Joseph's Court. No. 1051, C. 6. F., and of Mason City Council, No. 1006, K. of C. Religiously, true to the faith in which he was reared, he belongs to the Holy Family Catholic church. Politically he is an active and influential member of the Democratic party, and at this time, in 1910, is being strongly urged by the Democratic State Committee to become the Democratic candidate for governor of Iowa. For a person of his age, Mr. Dunn has without any doubt done more for the benefit of the industrial class than any other one man in northern Iowa, and during his work of organization in the various towns and counties has met and become personally acquainted with thousands of people who would gladly and proudly support him should he decide to take the nomination.

NOTE: Edward G. Dunn died in 1948. Laura (Delker) Dunn was born in 1889, and died in 1943. They were interred at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City IA.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2014