for many years one of the most distinguished citizens of Vevay, was born in Piscataway Township, Middlesex Co. N.J., January 8, 1787. When he was a small lad his father removed to New York, and there he remained until he was married, some time in 1812, when he removed West, and, in 1813, came to Cincinnati, where he formed the acquaintance of Gen. William H. Harrison, and entered into his service as a land agent, remaining at North Bend, Ohio, till some time in 1814, when he removed to Vevay and took up his residence on the place where he resided till his death. Some two or three years after he removed to Vevay he was advised by one Joseph T. Farley, a lawyer then residing there, to prepare himself for the practice of law. He applied himself diligently to the study of his profession, when not otherwise engaged in clearing his land, a portion of which he prepared for a nursery of fruit trees. He progressed so rapidly in his study that at the March term, 1818, he was admitted to the bar of the Switzerland Circuit Court, undergoing a satisfactory examination which was required at that time. During his long and successful career as an attorney he ever maintained the reputation of being untiring and faithful in the prosecution of all cases entrusted to him by his clients. He was repeatedly elected by the Legislature prosecuting attorney of the Third Judicial Circuit, of which Miles C. Eggleston was the presiding judge, and which embraced the counties of Franklin, Dearborn, Ripley, Switzerland, Jefferson and perhaps one or two other counties, and in the discharge of his duties in this office he was ever faithful in the rigorous exercise of the law. At the election for delegates to the State constitutional convention, which was held in 1816 he was a prominent candidate, and though defeated the vote clearly proved his popular strength, having been but little more than one year a resident of the county. But in 1816 he was elected to the Legislature as representative and subsequently served as such during the sessions of 1820-21-22-28-30, respectively. He was elected in 1831 to the State Senate, representing Ripley and Switzerland Counties for two terms of three years each, and also represented Switzerland County for the same length of time in the last year of the term, the question of classifying the public works of the State was brought before the Legislature. On that question he was the champion of the classification system, and by his efforts to carry the measure won for himself the record which made him the classification candidate for governor of Indiana in 1837. In this political race, though clearly in the right, he was defeated, and from that time he abandoned politics. He then turned his attention to the practice of law, which he continued till his extreme age compelled him to retire. As a legislator Mr. Dumont was true to the interests of his constituents and the masses. He was especially the friend of education, as his noble wife was the diffuser of it, and to his efforts the improvement of the school system of the State is largely due. Although much given to the use of ardent spirits in his earlier and even maturer years, during the last twenty-five years of his life he was a devoted and earnest friend and advocate of the temperance cause. As a citizen he was honorable and enterprising, contributing liberally of his means, talents and influence in building up the interests of his community. He died February 2, 1871. Mrs. Dumont was Miss Julia T. Corey, and she became the mother of twelve children, most of whom died in childhood.
Source: History of Switzerland County, Indiana 1885. Chicago, Illinois: Weakley, Harraman & Co., 1885
Transcribed by: Sheila Kell