FLETCHER DUNHAM

Fletcher Dunham, of Harlan Township, has been a resident of Shelby County since 1881. He was born in Steuben County, New York, October 17, 1842, and is a son of Abraham and Susan (Dolph) Dunham. The father's ancestors were sent from England in an early day as missionaries to preach the gospel. The father served in the war of 1812. The mother was of English extraction, and was a relative of General Wolf, who died in the battle of Quebec. Both parents were active and zealous workers of the Methodist Episcopal church, and died at Geneva, Kane County, Illinois, in 1860, respected and regretted by all who knew them.

Our subject was eight years old when his parents moved to Kane County, Illinois, where he was reared and educated. During the rebellion he went to the defense of the old flag, enlisting, September 7, 1861, at Chicago, in the Seventh Kansas Calvary, Colonel Jenison's regiment, General James Lane's brigade. The regiment took an active part on the western border until after the battle of Shiloh, and then they were ordered southeast, and took an active part in fighting General Forest's troops. They were also in the first attack on Vicksburg under General Grant. Mr. Dunham served his country in a gallant manner, and was honorably discharged in September, 1864, at St. Louis, Missouri.

He returned to Kane County, Illinois, where he remained for a short time, and then went to Guthrie County, Iowa. He was married January 23, 1866, to Miss. Laura J. PORTER, a native of Brown County, Ohio, and a daughter of John J. Porter, who was one of the prominent pioneers of Guthrie County, Iowa. The mother was Miss Eliza Snell, a daughter of Daniel Snell, who was a small boy during the revolutionary war, and was confined in a fort in South Carolina during that time. Mr. Dunham lived in Guthrie County until 1857, when he removed to Big Grove, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, and engaged in the stock business. In 1875, he went to Wyoming, where he engaged in mining and live-stock dealing. He continued this for several years. In 1880 he sold his interests in Wyoming, and returned to Big Grove, Iowa, where he remained one year, and then came to Shelby County. Here he bought the Thomas Caldwell farm, excellent land, and well adapted to stock-raising. The farm contains 297 acres. There is a good residence, well furnished, a grove, an orchard, and all the conveniences for farming on a large scale.

Mr. and Mrs. Dunham are the parents of three children ------- Lee H, Van E., and Orah Wyoming. Laura S. died at the age of sixteen months. Mr. Dunham is a strong supporter of Republican principles, and is member of the G.A.R., Harlan Post, No. 197. He is a member of the Masonic Order, Parian Lodge, No. 321; Olivet Chapter, No. 107; Mount Zion Commandery, No. 49. Mr Dunham is in the prime of life, and has seen much of this country. He is honorable in business, and has the respect and confidence of a wide acquaintance.


Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 318, 319. Family Researcher: Transcribed and submitted by Craig & Nancy Poole, 5847 Sahler St, Omaha, NE, 68104-2847, cpoole@unmc.edu : Helping to post family members bios for Shelby Cnty, Iowa.