DUNN, Philip George (1819-1899)

CULVER, PLUMER, DECKER

Posted By: Kathy Weaver (email)
Date: 1/23/2016 at 17:15:00

Mills County Tribune
Oct. 19, 1899
pg 4

End Of An Eventful Life - Brief mention was made last week of the death of Philip G. Dunn who passed away in the early morning of Oct. 7th, 1899. But a life of 80 years (he was born March 12, 1819) deserves more than a passing remark from those of us who yet sojourn on earth. Mr. Dunn was born in Marblehead, Mass., but at the age of five was taken by his parents removal back to Dublin, Ireland. From there he went to sea at the age of 13 and during fifteen years in "Her Majesty's service" visited most of the countries in the world. He knew Manila bay sixty years before Dewey's victory, and Santiago slip an equal time before Cervera's fleet was shut in it. He visited south Africa when Paul Kruger was barefoot boy and touched at Guam before it was worth while to raise the American flag over it.

Having seen all he cared to of sailor's life he returned to America just in time to enter in the Mexican war in which he served to the end. At its close he with four comrades turned their eyes and steps toward the brand new state of Iowa, and these five were the first settlers in what is now Lucas county, then it was a township of Monroe. Here Mr. Dunn began to build a home and was married March 15, 1849 to Rachel Culver with whom he lived happily almost a half century. Mrs. Dunn died last February three weeks before the day for celebrating their golden wedding anniversary.

Nine children were born to them of whom three have died, the six remaining are Mrs. Sarah T. Plumer of this county, Mrs. Mary L. Decker of Reasoner, Ia, George M. Dunn of Kansas City, Joseph M. Dunn of San Jose, Cal., and Miss Jennie R. Dunn and Robert N. Dunn of Glenwood. Two brothers also survive him Richard T. Dunn of New York and Joseph F. Dunn of St. Joseph, Mo.

The deceased came to Mills county in 1865 living on a farm in Oak township until eight years ago when he moved to Glenwood where his home has been ever since. He had been in feeble health all this year, in fact had not been strong for several years but yet he was so well the day before his death that all thought of immediate danger was absent. Even up to ten o'clock on the evening of the 6th he felt as well as usual but at that time was taken with violent suffering which lasted most of the time until death came before dawn. Mr. Dunn was a man of earnest religious convictions and while at the time of his death not a member of any church yet before death came he freely and emphatically expressed his hope in the Redeemer and a readiness to appear before the judge of all the earth.