Dunn - James E. - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

DUNN, James E., farmer and stock raiser, Crawfordsville, was born May 7, 1817 in Madison County, Kentucky on a farm 10 miles south of Richmond. His father, Nathaniel A, was born. near Danville, Ky Feb 27, 1790. At the age of 16, he learned the tanner's trade with Alexander LOGAN in Lexington, Ky where he remained four years. He then volunteered as a ranger in the War of 1812, under his brother, Capt. Williamson Dunn. After his return he married, Sept 6, 1814, Sophia W. IRVINE, who was b. Jan 25,   1794 in Madison Co. Her father, Benjamin Irvine, was a native of Va, and emigrated to Ky in 1800. They were the parents of 9 children, 7 of whom are living. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Crawfordsville, and at the time of his death one of its elders. His wife was also a member of the same denomination.

After his marriage, he settled up on a farm and in connection with it run a tanyard for 8 years and Oct 17, 1825, reached Montgomery County intending to effect a permanent settlement, having visited this section of country 3 times before. He located on what is now known as the W. end of Main St, where he purchased 27 acres and soon erected a tanyard being among the first in the County. Here he lived until his death, July 22, 1875. His wife d. June 25, 1870. James E. lived with his parents until his 21st year, when he began life for himself as clerk for Beasley & Odell, at which place he remained four years. He was then engaged in various enterprises for some years. in the fall of 1844 he was employed by Newton DARLINGTON to assist in dry goods store for over 2 years. his next step was that of a civil engineer, in which capacity he assisted in surveying the LaFayette and Indianapolis railroad. At the completion of this work he was engaged as a clerk in LaFayette about 6 months, when he returned to Crawfordsville, and was again employed on the engineer corps of the C & L RR. Nov 22, 1849 he was marr. to Matilda BURBRIDGE, daughter of Judge William Burbridge, who emigrated from Ky. to Montgomery Co in 1823. They are the parents of 6 children: Emma E, who is marr. to Charles GERRARD ; William A, at present in California; Samuel L; Fannie M; Walter G and George G. After his marr., he was engaged as clerk two years in Sperry's mill, and after another year in the city commenced farming one and a half miles south of Crawfordsville. He moved upon his farm in 1855 and in the fall of 1858 sold it and ret. to the city, where he busied himself clerking in a hardware store for about two years, and for CAMPBELL & HARTER one year. In 1863 he moved to Thorntown, where he clerked in the hardware store of RM LaFOLLETTE one and a half years, at the expiration of which time he moved to Crawfordsville and there kept house until the death of his father. Nov 15, 1877, he moved to his present home of 83 acres, a fine farm and well improved, with a two-story frame dwelling 30 x 34 and an 24 x 42. He was a participant in the chase after Morgan in 1863, and is a firm believer in the doctrine as advocated and sustained by the republican party, casting his first presidential vote for Gen. Harrison in 1840.