From the 1885 History of Steuben County, Indiana

pages 674-675

Alonzo Dunham, one of the pioneers of Steuben County, Ind., was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., Aug. 16, 1812, a son of John and Elizabeth (Hungerford) Dunham. His father was a native of Connecticut, and his mother of New York. They were married in New York, and in 1818 moved to Cuyahoga County, Ohio, where the father died in 1847. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and a man of sound judgment, firm principles and upright integrity. The mother died in 1881. They had a family of twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, nine of whom are living. Alonzo Dunham was reared in the pioneer days of Ohio, attending school in the log-cabin school-houses. He was married Jan. 31, 1835, to Julia Brainard, a native of Rush, Monroe Co., N. Y., born May 5, 1817, a daughter of John and Lucinda (Goff) Brainard. Mr. Brainard was drafted into the war of 1812, subsequently moved to New York, and about 1831 to Cuyahoga County, Ohio. In 1844 Mr. Dunham moved to Steuben County, Ind., and located on section 24, York Township, on a tract of heavily timbered land. He came to the county in 1842 and entered his land, and the next fall commenced his clearing, and in the fall of 1844 moved his family to their new home, making the journey with teams, through an unbroken forest, and across unbridged streams. Deer and game were plenty, and wild hogs roamed the country at will. When they came to the county their financial resources were limited, but they were possessed of strong constitutions, energy and a determination to override all obstacles, and their efforts have succeeded and they are now the owners of a good property and can spend their declining years in peace and prosperity. They have a family of three children-- Priscilla, wife of Henry Austin; Lovina, wife of Nathaniel Bennett, and Lucinda, wife of William Moss. In politics Mr. Dunham was originally an old-line Whig but now affiliates with the Republican party. He and his wife are members of the Disciples church.

Submitted by Kim Davoli

E-mail: davoli82@juno.com