SYLVANUS DUNHAM.

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         Sylvanus Dunham, now deceased, who for fifty-five years was a resident of Louisa county, being one of its honored pioneers, was born in Fayette county, Indiana, August 29, 1822. He was a son of Nathaniel and Mary (Williams) Dunham, who were both natives of New York state. Death having claimed his father, he started with his widowed mother in 1836 for the far west, arriving . . .

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. . . in Louisa county, Iowa, in 1837, at a time when much land in this part of the state was still owned by the government and unoccupied. In 1839 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Columbus City township and in 1845 acquired two hundred acres in Wapello township, upon which he took up his residence. He moved into a handsome brick house on section 24, Wapello township, in 1857, and there continued during the remainder of his life. He was a stock-raiser and shipper and also engaged very successfully in farming, his labors being abundantly rewarded.

         On the 26th of April, 1865, Mr. Dunham was married to Miss Martha Jamison, a daughter of William D. and Isabella (Seeds) Jamison. She was one of a family of three children, the others being: Susan, who is the wife of S. A. Thompson, of Morning Sun; and Ira, who is now deceased. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dunham: Ira Edwin, who is now living in Missouri; William Wright, who resides at Fredonia, Kansas; Harry Ansel, who is living at home; Mary Maud, deceased; Bertha Blanche, also deceased; Sidney Sylvanus, of Monte Vista, Colorado; Nellie Ursula, the wife of F. G. Colburn, of Oskaloosa, Iowa; Elmer Roy, of Louisa county; and Fred Earl, at home.

         Mr. Dunham died September 6, 1892, at the age of seventy years, and the general expression of regret at the announcement of his demise gave indications of the deep respect in which he was held by the community. In politics he was a supporter of the republican party and religiously adhered to the Christian church. He was also a valued member of the Masonic order. He was unusually industrious and persevering in his undertakings and gained for himself highly creditable standing as a reliable and progressive citizen.

         On March 24, 1910, Mrs. Dunham, who is a lady of unusually bright mind and the possessor of many attractive personal qualities, was married to William L. Brown, a record of whom follows.