Ernest James Gunn
Ernest James Gunn, who has been identified with the farming interests of Crawford county during the past thirty-three years, was born in Coitsville, New Jersey, May 2, 1855, a son of James N. and Elizabeth (Lea) Gunn, both of whom were natives of London, England, where the father was born March 27, 1826.
The early education of Ernest J. Gunn was obtained in the public schools of Clinton, Iowa, and for thirteen years he followed the trade of a marble cutter. In the fall of 1878 he came with his brother George T. to Crawford county and subsequently purchased eighty acres of land in Jackson township from his father. On this property he has since continued to follow farming. meeting with that success that comes as a result of earnest endeavor and well applied diligence.
The marriage of Mr. Gunn took place July 4, 1882, when he was united to Miss Helen Stevens, a daughter of Dr. B. F. and Sarah (West) Stevens, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania, and the latter in New York. Her parents had thirteen children, of whom the following survive: Frances, who is the wife of Mr. Granger and resides in Nebraska; Henry, who lives in Florida; Fred, who is a resident of Sioux City, Iowa; Helen; Andrew, who makes his home in Sac city, Iowa; Catherine, who married Dempster Treadway, of Wall Lake; Frank, who lives in Clay county, Iowa; and John, who resides in Kansas City, Missouri. The deceased members of the family are Jerusha, Mary, Allan, Jane and Emma. Both of the parents have also passed away.
To Mr. and Mrs. Gunn two children have been born, namely: Letitia, who became the wife of Walter Campbell and makes her home in Sac county; and James F., who is farming in Crawford county.
In politics Mr. Gunn has always given his support to the republican party and in religion gives his allegiance to the Episcopal church. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masonic order, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree, and is also a member of the Modem Woodmen of America. He is recognized throughout the community as a man of genuine worth who has made the most of his opportunities.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.