Biographical Sketch of

James Dunn

Transcribed by Char Eckman



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 481 - 482

James Dunn, is a well-to-do farmer residing on section 9, in the town of Oxford, Marquette County.  He was born in 
Ayreshire, Scotland, Sept. 20, 1823, and is a son of John and Jennie (Crawford) Dunn.  His father was for twenty-four 
years a soldier in the British Army and fought under the Duke of Wellington at the battle of Waterloo, soon after 
which he left the army.  Not long after receiving his discharge he was married and settled near Loudon Castle, in 
Ayreshire, where he and his wife passed the remainder of their days.  They were parents of six children, three sons 
and three daughters, all of whom grew to maturity, but the brothers of our subject are now deceased.  Andrew died 
in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1887, and George Hastings died at Antigua, one of the West India Islands, many years ago.  
The sisters are Jane, Betsy and Janet, the first a resident of Scotland, the second of Philadelphia, while the third 
is living in England.

In his youth, James Dunn became a butler and was thus employed by James Hope, of Edinburg, for a year, after which 
he engaged in the same capacity with Warner Shand, whom he accompanied to the West Indies, remaining in those Islands 
three years.  Having a desire to become his own master and secure a home for himself, he then resolved to come to 
America and chose Dodge County, Wis., as the scene of his labors, having friends living in that community.  In 1849, 
hearing that Marquette County had just been opened to settlement, Mr. Dunn located land on section 9, in the town of 
Oxford, and for forty years has resided upon that farm.  He developed it from a wild and unbroken prairie to a tract 
of rich fertility, very valuable and productive.  He is now numbered among the well-known and substantial citizens 
of the town of Oxford, and is the owner of land to the amount of 600 acres, which pays tribute to his care and 
cultivation.

While living in the West Indies, Mr. Dunn was joined in wedlock with Miss Sarah Tilstson, a native of Wales, who was 
employed in the same family with her husband.  Not long afterwards they settled on the farm in Oxford Township.  His 
faithful wife who had accompanied him for almost forty years on the journey of life, had shared with him the hardships 
and trials incident to the frontier and had proved a true helpmate to him in his hours of trouble, was called to her 
final rest on the 24th of November, 1888.  She was a consistent Christian woman, a kind and loving wife and mother, 
and died in the faith of the Presbyterian Church, of which she has long been a member.  Two sons and four daughters 
were born of the union of this worthy couple, as follows:  John E., George II., Elizabeth, Mary, Jennett and Martha.

Mr. Dunn has ever taken a deep interest in those enterprises which tend to upbuild the community in which he lives 
and has proven himself a loyal and worthy citizen.  He served his country during the last eight months of the war 
as a member of the 153d Regiment, Illinois Infantry and was stationed with his command at Tullahoma and Memphis, 
Tenn., doing garrison duty until the close of the hostilities.  Like his wife he is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church, and has been prominently connected with the religious growth of the community.  He assisted in organizing the 
first church and established the first Sunday-school in the town of Oxford and was one of the first teachers in the 
school, with which he has ever been connected in some active capacity.  He is now Superintendent, which office he 
has filled for a number of years.  He has also been an elder in the church for many years, and has labored long and 
zealously for the upbuilding of the Master's cause on earth.  Thus have we given a brief sketch of one of Marquette 
County's oldest citizens who came here when the land was wild and uncultivated and has seen it transformed into rich 
and fertile fields and beautiful homes.  His life has been one of great uprightness, consistent with his professions, 
and has been such as to win the confidence of all with whom he has come in contact. 






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