Henry Dunn

DUNN, MAHER, GREEN, CATON, SHUTTS

Posted By: Anne Hermann (email)
Date: 12/30/2009 at 12:16:34

J. W. Ellis, History of Jackson County, Iowa, 1910

HENRY DUNN.

There are few citizens in Jackson county who are more widely and favorably known than Henry Dunn, who was for a long period connected with the agricultural interests of Clinton county, and during the past quarter of a century and more has played a conspicuous part in the public life of Miles. Nor is his name unknown upon the roster of Jackson county's legislators. Having come to Iowa without money sufficient to buy a breakfast, his large land holdings in this and other states are the result of his own efforts and are the visible evidence that he has ordered his life along upright and honorable lines and has made the best possible use of every opportunity presented to him.
A native of Ireland, Henry Dunn was born in Kilkenny, January 6, 1837, his parents, P. T. and Bridget (Maher) Dunn, also claiming the Emerald isle as their place of birth. The father died there in 1846, and in 1847 Henry Dunn and his mother emigrated to this country, settling in Ulster county, New York, where she passed away in 1857. In 1850 Mr. Dunn went to New York city, finding employment in the wholesale district, with which he was connected until 1855, when he came west. Reaching the Mississippi in February, he crossed the river on the ice, and entirely empty-handed started to make his fortune in Iowa, which has since been his home. He found employment in a hotel at Burlington, and after remaining there for about six months traveled for a short time. In 1858 he settled in Clinton county, working as a farm hand until 1860, when, as the result of his diligence and economy, he was able to buy forty acres of land. In 1862 he enlisted in Company A, Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and as he was with his regiment in all of its engagements, his record is practically that of the Twenty-fourth. At the close of the war he returned to his farm in Clinton county, Iowa, which he cultivated with such success that he was able to add to it from time to time until he had a tract of one hundred and sixty acres. He also invested in land in Turner county, South Dakota, where he owns two hundred and forty acres. In 1881 he lost his first wife and thereafter removed to Miles,
where he engaged in the implement business, being successfully connected therewith until 1905, when he retired from active participation in mercantile affairs.
Since becoming a resident of Miles Mr. Dunn has always been a conspicuous figure in the public life of the village and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability have called him to various positions of trust. For several terms he filled the office of mayor, was a member of the council and also city treasurer. A staunch friend of education he rendered efficient service to the community in the sixteen years he was school director, during part of which time he was president of the board. In 1906 he was elected Jackson county's representative to the general assembly of Iowa and served one term. His views in politics are those enunciated in the platform of the republican party, and it has always relied upon his support at the polls and during campaigns. He has always taken a deep interest in public life, but he has never exerted his powers of office for selfish ends, but rather for the benefit and advancement of the general welfare.
In 1860 Mr. Dunn was married to Miss Mary Jane Green, who was born in New York state, April 26, 1844, and died in Clinton county Iowa, January 1, 1881. In their family were the following children Nellie, who was born November 19, 1861, and is the wife of William Martin, of Oklahoma; Annie, born May 27, 1867, and now deceased; Lavina, who was born July 9, 1869, and became the wife of William Ortt, of Panora, Iowa; Emma, who was born December 6, 1872, and died in 1874; Henrietta, who was born March 6, 1874, and is the wife of U. E. Dougherty, of Portland, Oregon; and John H., who was born August 8, 1876, and is now living in South Dakota. For his second wife Mr. Dunn wedded Miss Annie Caton, a native of Canada, who died in 1906. In 1908 he married Mrs. Cynthia A. Shutts, who was born in Illinois, but had resided a long time in Jackson county, Iowa.
Mr. Dunn is a worthy exemplar of the ideals of the Odd Fellows society, has filled all of the chairs in the local lodge and has been a representative to the grand lodge. He is also a member of the Grand Army Post at Miles, of which he is at present commander. He came to this state without money and with few of the advantages conferred by education, but he was willing to work and determined to succeed. He left no opportunity untried and making the most of whatever fortune placed in his way he advanced steadily until he reached a position of affluence. At the same time he has so honorably managed his business interests and performed his official duties so promptly and faithfully that he has also gained the esteem of his fellow citizens. Regarding the record of his life from all sides it is no wonder that America values the foreign element which has come to her through such citizens as Mr. Dunn.