Dunbar - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Colfax Standard newspaper Sat Aug 27, 1899

The Dunbar family held a family reunion in the grove at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Dunbar, Thursday Aug 24, 1899.  With the exception of four or five persons, the entire assemblage on the farm now owned by Thomas Dunbar two miles west of this city. The elder Dunbar came here from Ohio in 183 late in the autumn with his wife and five children he camped near the spring just north of the gravel pit on the Esq. Mitchell farm and lived in this camp until he built a cabin on the land he had entered., In about 8 days the cabin was raised and roofed. The family moved into this building on a dirt floor.  Later a puncheon floor was put down. In this humble way the Dunbar family began in this part of the country. Robert Dunbar was the first child of the family born in this state but he lacked several of being the last.  The elder Dunbar not only obeyed the scriptural injection by earning his bread by the sweat of his brown, but he multiplied. He was the father of 23 children, 16 by his first wife and 7 by a second marriage.  Of that number Silas, John, Robert, Lewis, Simon, Eliza, Susan and Elizabeth are still living.  Silas and Robert reside on farms west of this city.  Lewis lives in Darlington and Elizabeth are still living. Silas and Robert reside on farms west of this city. Lewis lives in Darlington, Simon and John in Iowa, Eliza Cooley in White County, Ind, Susan Decker in Clark County, Ind and Elizabeth Bowers near White Church west of town.  In all nearly 400 descendants of the Lewis Dunbar family are living.  Those by the second wife yet living are Jesse P; Joseph residing near Conroe, George living west of town and Mrs. Silas Dain of this vicinity. At the reunion Thursday almost 150 with Dunbar blood in their veins were present.

1900 – unknown source

The Dunbar reunion which is a yearly custom in the family took place at Robert Dunbar’s grove Thursday Sept 6, 1900.  Last year at the reunion 150 person were present and with the exception of five or six they were all present this year there having been no deathsin the family the past year. The grove had been prepared the day before and 130’ of table made in the form of a square. When this was dressed in white and filled with all the good things that could be made it was a most inviting sight. After all had been seated at the table Rev. LM Dunbar asked the blessing on the assemblage of kinsmen.  After dinner addresses were made by Rev. LM Dunbar who dwelt on manners and customs of old times and Robert Dunbar, giving a graphic description of ox driving in the old days, Little Loren Hutchison one of the young settlers, recited a section acquainting himself splendidly.  Lena Hutchison also recited one number in splendid style.  A wagon loaf of watermelons which was spread on the table at 10 o’clock a.m. and 3 o’clock p.m. appealed most temptingly to the Dunbar capability in putting these where they would do the most good. Those from abroad were Mr. and Mrs. CM Dunbar and two children, Willard Dunbar and Roy Boots from Iowa; Mrs. Ruth and Mary Jane Biggs from West Lebanon, Martha Boeye (Boyd) from White County and Mrs. Olive Buser from Indianapolis. Robert Dunbar’s family were all present and with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren numbered 44. The reunion closed by singing, God Be With You Till we Meet Again. A regular organization was complete, a president, secretary and treasurer selected and a neat fund contributed with which to defray expenses. The reunion will take place next year the last Thursday in August. This however says Uncle Silas Dunbar, depends on whether or not the watermelon crop is ripe.

Source: Colfax Clinton County Review Fri Aug 30, 1918 p 1 (from the Dunbar Family Group Facebook Page)

The 20th annual reunion of the Dunbar family was held at the Bowers School house Sunday.  A bounteous dinner was spread in the big auditorium of the building and everyone did ample justice to the spread. All enjoyed the day in a special way and voted unanimously to hold next year’s reunion at the same place. The oldest person present was LM Dunbar who is 81 years old and who was born and has lived all his life in Sugar Creek Township.  At a business session the following officers were elected: Simon Welchman, President; EP Dunbar, Sec. Those present from a distance were: Mr. and Mrs. Haseltine and daughter and son-in-law, from Washington, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Burk and daughter, from Decatur, Ind; Mr. and Mrs. Chas Boey and daughter of Brookston, Ind; Mrs. Russel and family from Lafayette.