LUTHER DICKINSON GUNN. In the career of this gentleman we find a very excellent example, for young men just embarking in the field of active life, of what may be accomplished by a man beginning poor, but honest, prudent and industrious. He was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, July 28, 1814, and was only a week old when his father, Luther Gunn, died. His mother, who bore the maiden name of Delia Dickinson, was left with the care of two children, his sister being Sarah. The family is an old one of Montague, Massachusetts, and his paternal grandparents were Captain Nathaniel and Hannah (Montague) Gunn, the former the son of Lieutenant Nathaniel Gunn, of Sunderland, Massachusetts, and the latter a daughter of Major Richard Monague, one of the founders of North Leverett, of the same state, where he died in 1794. During the French and Indian war, the Major was in the battle of Crown Point in 1759, while in the Revolution he took part in the battle of Bunker Hill, and was an able officer.
After the death of the father of our subject, his mother took her two children to the home of her father at Whately, Massachusetts, where she remained until her marriage with Levi Gunn, a second cousin of her first husband, after which they made their home at Montague, the step-father working at his trade of blacksmithing. The mother's death occurred at Greenfield, that state. Two children by her second marriage now reside in the west.
The boyhood of Luther D. Gunn was principally passed at Conway, Massachusetts, and at the age of seventeen years there entered upon an apprenticeship to learn the carpenter's trade, with John Howland, with whom he remained until reaching his majority. He received his board, clothes, one winter's schooling and a set of bench tools at the end of his term of apprenticeship. During the winters he was employed at wagonmaking, and all kinds of shop work, in which line he became quite proficient. When his time expired he had no money with the exception of twenty-five cents which his mother had given him to treat his associates with spruce beer. He remained with Mr. Howland for three months after the expiration of his apprenticeship, during which time he received twenty dollars per month. He had always been a great reader and at the first opportunity again entered school.
Going to New York city, Mr. Gunn there worked at his trade for a few weeks, and in that city met Colonel John Ware, whom he known in Massachusetts, but who at that time was a merchant of Hennepin, Illinois, and decided to accompany that gentleman back to Putnam county. They made the trip by boat on the Ohio, Mississippi and Illinois rivers, arriving here in June, 1836. On the voyage the rudder was broken in a storm and was repaired by Mr. Gunn, for which he received two dollars. He has since made his home in Putnam county, being at first employed in finishing the store of Colonel Ware and later his house, for which he received from a dollar and a half to two dollars per day. He continued to work at his trade in Hennepin for a time in connection with Robert Leech, of Florid.
On the 14th of November, 1839, Mr. Gunn was united in marriage with Miss Emirancy Collins, the ceremony being performed by Rev. James H. Dickey, of the Presbyterian church. She is the daughter of Joel S. and Sally (Sprague) Collins. Her father, who was a native of Massachusetts, was taken to Warren county , New York, when six years of age, and died when his daughter was twelve years old. The birth of her mother occurred in Vermont, where she was reared, but she was married in New York. After the death of her first husband she became the wife of Amos Dewey at Hartford, New York. Mrs. Gunn was born in Granville, Washington county, New York, and in 1836, when fourteen years old, was brought to Illinois, the family making their home in Granville township, Putnam county. Her mother died while on a visit to the Green Mountain state. She has one sister, Mary Louisa, now living in the state of Washington.
Mr. Gunn invested five hundred dollars in Hennepin town lots, which never realized anything, and two years after his marriage he located upon a farm in Granville township, comprising two hundred and forty acres, for eighty of which he paid two hundred dollars. That place he sold in 1866, and purchased one hundred and seventy acres a mile east of Granville, paying forty dollars per acre. With the exception of three hundred dollars which belonged to his wife he has had no outside assistance whatever, but has succeeded in accumulating a handsome property through his own industrious efforts. Upon his farm he erected a handsome property through his own industrious efforts. Upon his farm he erected a handsome and commodious dwelling, the finest in the neighborhood, at a cost of five thousand dollars, but four years ago this was destroyed by fire, causing a heavy loss. Since that time he has made his home in the village of Granville.
To Mr. and Mrs. Gunn have been born the following children, namely: Joel Collins, born December 1, 1840, married Nellie E. Howe in 1870, and died in 1888, leaving a widow and seven children; Frances Eliza, born in 1841 and died in 1842; Amos Dewey, born in 1843, married in 1860 to Percis E. Graves, and now resides in Index, Washington; Levi Parker, born in 1844, died in 1845; Fannie Ellen, born in [January 27,] 1846, married in 1871 to B.[Baxter] A. Dickinson, and now resides in Chicago; Lucy Caroline, born in 1847, married in 1867 to C. K. Ware, and now resides at Downs, Kansas; Mary Antoinette, born in 1849, married in 1874 to B. Newport, and died in 1883; Luther Hubbard, born in 1851, died in 1852; Esther Evelyn [a.k.a. Esther Eveline], born in [October 31,] 1853, married in 1878 to C. H. Van Wormer, and now resides at West Salem, Wisconsin [later, in California]; Sarah Emirancy, born in 1856, married in 1877 to L. L. Parmalee, and now resides at Downs, Kansas; Ella Louzette, born in 1859, married in 1886 to J. S. Martin, and now resides at Granville, Illinois; Delia M., born in 1861, died the same year, Henry Dickinson, born in [April 1,] 1863, married in 1889, to Carrie Sucher, and now resides in Roggen, Colorado [later, in Startup, Washington]; Nellie Louise, born in 1864, is a music teacher; Clara Philena, born in 1866, married in 1891 to G. B. [George Bernard] Sucher [an attorney at law], and now resides in Peoria, Illinois. Eleven of the children grew to years of maturity. They also have forty grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Two of the grandchildren have been reared by our subject and his wife. One of these, Pearl Gunn, has made her home with them since six years of age and is now a teacher. Their daughter Ella L. is now the widow of Joseph Martin, and with her two children, Helen, aged eight, and Joseph, aged six, she makes her home with her parents.
Before her marriage, Mrs. Gunn was a member of the Presbyterian church, but for over forty-two years both she and her husband have been connected with the Congregational denomination and are earnest Christian people. Their hospitable home is always open to the many friends of the family, whom they delight to entertain, and by all they are held in the highest regard. Although a stalwart republican, Mr. Gunn has never cared for the official positions, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his business interests. He is still quite active and energetic, and on his eightieth birthday, assisted in cutting down a two hundred and fifty foot tree in Washington, from a piece of which he has had a stand-table made. Each of his children as they went out from the home roof have been assisted.
On the 14th of November, 1889, Mr. and Mrs. Gunn celebrated their golden wedding, which was a red letter day in their lives, about two hundred guests being present, many coming from long distances to present in person their congratulations. All their children were present but one.
Source: The Biographical Record of Bureau, Marshall, and Putnam Counties, Illinois, Illustrated, published by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1896,
pp 542-544, transcribed by HJ, February 25, 2014; Info in brackets from Past and Present of Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois, Together with Biographical Sketches of Many Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead, Illustrated, By John Spencer Burt and W. E. Hawthorne, The Pioneer Publishing Company, Chicago, 1907, p. 231
Paternal Grandparents:
Capt. Nathaniel Gunn
Hannah (Montague) Gunn
Children:
Fannie Ellen Gunn, b. Jan. 27, 1846, IL; mar. Baxter A. Dickinson, res. of Chicago; both likely died and buried Portland, Oregon
Henry D. Gunn, b. Apr. 1, 1863; res. Startup, WA
After the death of the father of our subject, his mother took her two children to the home of her father at Whately, Massachusetts, where she remained until her marriage with Levi Gunn, a second cousin of her first husband, after which they made their home at Montague, the step-father working at his trade of blacksmithing. The mother's death occurred at Greenfield, that state. Two children by her second marriage now reside in the west.
The boyhood of Luther D. Gunn was principally passed at Conway, Massachusetts, and at the age of seventeen years there entered upon an apprenticeship to learn the carpenter's trade, with John Howland, with whom he remained until reaching his majority. He received his board, clothes, one winter's schooling and a set of bench tools at the end of his term of apprenticeship. During the winters he was employed at wagonmaking, and all kinds of shop work, in which line he became quite proficient. When his time expired he had no money with the exception of twenty-five cents which his mother had given him to treat his associates with spruce beer. He remained with Mr. Howland for three months after the expiration of his apprenticeship, during which time he received twenty dollars per month. He had always been a great reader and at the first opportunity again entered school.
Going to New York city, Mr. Gunn there worked at his trade for a few weeks, and in that city met Colonel John Ware, whom he known in Massachusetts, but who at that time was a merchant of Hennepin, Illinois, and decided to accompany that gentleman back to Putnam county. They made the trip by boat on the Ohio, Mississippi and Illinois rivers, arriving here in June, 1836. On the voyage the rudder was broken in a storm and was repaired by Mr. Gunn, for which he received two dollars. He has since made his home in Putnam county, being at first employed in finishing the store of Colonel Ware and later his house, for which he received from a dollar and a half to two dollars per day. He continued to work at his trade in Hennepin for a time in connection with Robert Leech, of Florid.
On the 14th of November, 1839, Mr. Gunn was united in marriage with Miss Emirancy Collins, the ceremony being performed by Rev. James H. Dickey, of the Presbyterian church. She is the daughter of Joel S. and Sally (Sprague) Collins. Her father, who was a native of Massachusetts, was taken to Warren county , New York, when six years of age, and died when his daughter was twelve years old. The birth of her mother occurred in Vermont, where she was reared, but she was married in New York. After the death of her first husband she became the wife of Amos Dewey at Hartford, New York. Mrs. Gunn was born in Granville, Washington county, New York, and in 1836, when fourteen years old, was brought to Illinois, the family making their home in Granville township, Putnam county. Her mother died while on a visit to the Green Mountain state. She has one sister, Mary Louisa, now living in the state of Washington.
Mr. Gunn invested five hundred dollars in Hennepin town lots, which never realized anything, and two years after his marriage he located upon a farm in Granville township, comprising two hundred and forty acres, for eighty of which he paid two hundred dollars. That place he sold in 1866, and purchased one hundred and seventy acres a mile east of Granville, paying forty dollars per acre. With the exception of three hundred dollars which belonged to his wife he has had no outside assistance whatever, but has succeeded in accumulating a handsome property through his own industrious efforts. Upon his farm he erected a handsome property through his own industrious efforts. Upon his farm he erected a handsome and commodious dwelling, the finest in the neighborhood, at a cost of five thousand dollars, but four years ago this was destroyed by fire, causing a heavy loss. Since that time he has made his home in the village of Granville.
To Mr. and Mrs. Gunn have been born the following children, namely: Joel Collins, born December 1, 1840, married Nellie E. Howe in 1870, and died in 1888, leaving a widow and seven children; Frances Eliza, born in 1841 and died in 1842; Amos Dewey, born in 1843, married in 1860 to Percis E. Graves, and now resides in Index, Washington; Levi Parker, born in 1844, died in 1845; Fannie Ellen, born in [January 27,] 1846, married in 1871 to B.[Baxter] A. Dickinson, and now resides in Chicago; Lucy Caroline, born in 1847, married in 1867 to C. K. Ware, and now resides at Downs, Kansas; Mary Antoinette, born in 1849, married in 1874 to B. Newport, and died in 1883; Luther Hubbard, born in 1851, died in 1852; Esther Evelyn [a.k.a. Esther Eveline], born in [October 31,] 1853, married in 1878 to C. H. Van Wormer, and now resides at West Salem, Wisconsin [later, in California]; Sarah Emirancy, born in 1856, married in 1877 to L. L. Parmalee, and now resides at Downs, Kansas; Ella Louzette, born in 1859, married in 1886 to J. S. Martin, and now resides at Granville, Illinois; Delia M., born in 1861, died the same year, Henry Dickinson, born in [April 1,] 1863, married in 1889, to Carrie Sucher, and now resides in Roggen, Colorado [later, in Startup, Washington]; Nellie Louise, born in 1864, is a music teacher; Clara Philena, born in 1866, married in 1891 to G. B. [George Bernard] Sucher [an attorney at law], and now resides in Peoria, Illinois. Eleven of the children grew to years of maturity. They also have forty grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Two of the grandchildren have been reared by our subject and his wife. One of these, Pearl Gunn, has made her home with them since six years of age and is now a teacher. Their daughter Ella L. is now the widow of Joseph Martin, and with her two children, Helen, aged eight, and Joseph, aged six, she makes her home with her parents.
Before her marriage, Mrs. Gunn was a member of the Presbyterian church, but for over forty-two years both she and her husband have been connected with the Congregational denomination and are earnest Christian people. Their hospitable home is always open to the many friends of the family, whom they delight to entertain, and by all they are held in the highest regard. Although a stalwart republican, Mr. Gunn has never cared for the official positions, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his business interests. He is still quite active and energetic, and on his eightieth birthday, assisted in cutting down a two hundred and fifty foot tree in Washington, from a piece of which he has had a stand-table made. Each of his children as they went out from the home roof have been assisted.
On the 14th of November, 1889, Mr. and Mrs. Gunn celebrated their golden wedding, which was a red letter day in their lives, about two hundred guests being present, many coming from long distances to present in person their congratulations. All their children were present but one.
Source: The Biographical Record of Bureau, Marshall, and Putnam Counties, Illinois, Illustrated, published by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1896,
pp 542-544, transcribed by HJ, February 25, 2014; Info in brackets from Past and Present of Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois, Together with Biographical Sketches of Many Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead, Illustrated, By John Spencer Burt and W. E. Hawthorne, The Pioneer Publishing Company, Chicago, 1907, p. 231
Paternal Grandparents:
Capt. Nathaniel Gunn
Hannah (Montague) Gunn
Children:
Fannie Ellen Gunn, b. Jan. 27, 1846, IL; mar. Baxter A. Dickinson, res. of Chicago; both likely died and buried Portland, Oregon
Henry D. Gunn, b. Apr. 1, 1863; res. Startup, WA
LUTHER DICKINSON GUNN. In the career of this gentleman we find a very excellent example, for young men just embarking in the field of active life, of what may be accomplished by a man beginning poor, but honest, prudent and industrious. He was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, July 28, 1814, and was only a week old when his father, Luther Gunn, died. His mother, who bore the maiden name of Delia Dickinson, was left with the care of two children, his sister being Sarah. The family is an old one of Montague, Massachusetts, and his paternal grandparents were Captain Nathaniel and Hannah (Montague) Gunn, the former the son of Lieutenant Nathaniel Gunn, of Sunderland, Massachusetts, and the latter a daughter of Major Richard Monague, one of the founders of North Leverett, of the same state, where he died in 1794. During the French and Indian war, the Major was in the battle of Crown Point in 1759, while in the Revolution he took part in the battle of Bunker Hill, and was an able officer.
After the death of the father of our subject, his mother took her two children to the home of her father at Whately, Massachusetts, where she remained until her marriage with Levi Gunn, a second cousin of her first husband, after which they made their home at Montague, the step-father working at his trade of blacksmithing. The mother's death occurred at Greenfield, that state. Two children by her second marriage now reside in the west.
The boyhood of Luther D. Gunn was principally passed at Conway, Massachusetts, and at the age of seventeen years there entered upon an apprenticeship to learn the carpenter's trade, with John Howland, with whom he remained until reaching his majority. He received his board, clothes, one winter's schooling and a set of bench tools at the end of his term of apprenticeship. During the winters he was employed at wagonmaking, and all kinds of shop work, in which line he became quite proficient. When his time expired he had no money with the exception of twenty-five cents which his mother had given him to treat his associates with spruce beer. He remained with Mr. Howland for three months after the expiration of his apprenticeship, during which time he received twenty dollars per month. He had always been a great reader and at the first opportunity again entered school.
Going to New York city, Mr. Gunn there worked at his trade for a few weeks, and in that city met Colonel John Ware, whom he known in Massachusetts, but who at that time was a merchant of Hennepin, Illinois, and decided to accompany that gentleman back to Putnam county. They made the trip by boat on the Ohio, Mississippi and Illinois rivers, arriving here in June, 1836. On the voyage the rudder was broken in a storm and was repaired by Mr. Gunn, for which he received two dollars. He has since made his home in Putnam county, being at first employed in finishing the store of Colonel Ware and later his house, for which he received from a dollar and a half to two dollars per day. He continued to work at his trade in Hennepin for a time in connection with Robert Leech, of Florid.
On the 14th of November, 1839, Mr. Gunn was united in marriage with Miss Emirancy Collins, the ceremony being performed by Rev. James H. Dickey, of the Presbyterian church. She is the daughter of Joel S. and Sally (Sprague) Collins. Her father, who was a native of Massachusetts, was taken to Warren county , New York, when six years of age, and died when his daughter was twelve years old. The birth of her mother occurred in Vermont, where she was reared, but she was married in New York. After the death of her first husband she became the wife of Amos Dewey at Hartford, New York. Mrs. Gunn was born in Granville, Washington county, New York, and in 1836, when fourteen years old, was brought to Illinois, the family making their home in Granville township, Putnam county. Her mother died while on a visit to the Green Mountain state. She has one sister, Mary Louisa, now living in the state of Washington.
Mr. Gunn invested five hundred dollars in Hennepin town lots, which never realized anything, and two years after his marriage he located upon a farm in Granville township, comprising two hundred and forty acres, for eighty of which he paid two hundred dollars. That place he sold in 1866, and purchased one hundred and seventy acres a mile east of Granville, paying forty dollars per acre. With the exception of three hundred dollars which belonged to his wife he has had no outside assistance whatever, but has succeeded in accumulating a handsome property through his own industrious efforts. Upon his farm he erected a handsome property through his own industrious efforts. Upon his farm he erected a handsome and commodious dwelling, the finest in the neighborhood, at a cost of five thousand dollars, but four years ago this was destroyed by fire, causing a heavy loss. Since that time he has made his home in the village of Granville.
To Mr. and Mrs. Gunn have been born the following children, namely: Joel Collins, born December 1, 1840, married Nellie E. Howe in 1870, and died in 1888, leaving a widow and seven children; Frances Eliza, born in 1841 and died in 1842; Amos Dewey, born in 1843, married in 1860 to Percis E. Graves, and now resides in Index, Washington; Levi Parker, born in 1844, died in 1845; Fannie Ellen, born in [January 27,] 1846, married in 1871 to B.[Baxter] A. Dickinson, and now resides in Chicago; Lucy Caroline, born in 1847, married in 1867 to C. K. Ware, and now resides at Downs, Kansas; Mary Antoinette, born in 1849, married in 1874 to B. Newport, and died in 1883; Luther Hubbard, born in 1851, died in 1852; Esther Evelyn [a.k.a. Esther Eveline], born in [October 31,] 1853, married in 1878 to C. H. Van Wormer, and now resides at West Salem, Wisconsin [later, in California]; Sarah Emirancy, born in 1856, married in 1877 to L. L. Parmalee, and now resides at Downs, Kansas; Ella Louzette, born in 1859, married in 1886 to J. S. Martin, and now resides at Granville, Illinois; Delia M., born in 1861, died the same year, Henry Dickinson, born in [April 1,] 1863, married in 1889, to Carrie Sucher, and now resides in Roggen, Colorado [later, in Startup, Washington]; Nellie Louise, born in 1864, is a music teacher; Clara Philena, born in 1866, married in 1891 to G. B. [George Bernard] Sucher [an attorney at law], and now resides in Peoria, Illinois. Eleven of the children grew to years of maturity. They also have forty grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Two of the grandchildren have been reared by our subject and his wife. One of these, Pearl Gunn, has made her home with them since six years of age and is now a teacher. Their daughter Ella L. is now the widow of Joseph Martin, and with her two children, Helen, aged eight, and Joseph, aged six, she makes her home with her parents.
Before her marriage, Mrs. Gunn was a member of the Presbyterian church, but for over forty-two years both she and her husband have been connected with the Congregational denomination and are earnest Christian people. Their hospitable home is always open to the many friends of the family, whom they delight to entertain, and by all they are held in the highest regard. Although a stalwart republican, Mr. Gunn has never cared for the official positions, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his business interests. He is still quite active and energetic, and on his eightieth birthday, assisted in cutting down a two hundred and fifty foot tree in Washington, from a piece of which he has had a stand-table made. Each of his children as they went out from the home roof have been assisted.
On the 14th of November, 1889, Mr. and Mrs. Gunn celebrated their golden wedding, which was a red letter day in their lives, about two hundred guests being present, many coming from long distances to present in person their congratulations. All their children were present but one.
Source: The Biographical Record of Bureau, Marshall, and Putnam Counties, Illinois, Illustrated, published by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1896,
pp 542-544, transcribed by HJ, February 25, 2014; Info in brackets from Past and Present of Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois, Together with Biographical Sketches of Many Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead, Illustrated, By John Spencer Burt and W. E. Hawthorne, The Pioneer Publishing Company, Chicago, 1907, p. 231
Paternal Grandparents:
Capt. Nathaniel Gunn
Hannah (Montague) Gunn
Children:
Fannie Ellen Gunn, b. Jan. 27, 1846, IL; mar. Baxter A. Dickinson, res. of Chicago; both likely died and buried Portland, Oregon
Henry D. Gunn, b. Apr. 1, 1863; res. Startup, WA
After the death of the father of our subject, his mother took her two children to the home of her father at Whately, Massachusetts, where she remained until her marriage with Levi Gunn, a second cousin of her first husband, after which they made their home at Montague, the step-father working at his trade of blacksmithing. The mother's death occurred at Greenfield, that state. Two children by her second marriage now reside in the west.
The boyhood of Luther D. Gunn was principally passed at Conway, Massachusetts, and at the age of seventeen years there entered upon an apprenticeship to learn the carpenter's trade, with John Howland, with whom he remained until reaching his majority. He received his board, clothes, one winter's schooling and a set of bench tools at the end of his term of apprenticeship. During the winters he was employed at wagonmaking, and all kinds of shop work, in which line he became quite proficient. When his time expired he had no money with the exception of twenty-five cents which his mother had given him to treat his associates with spruce beer. He remained with Mr. Howland for three months after the expiration of his apprenticeship, during which time he received twenty dollars per month. He had always been a great reader and at the first opportunity again entered school.
Going to New York city, Mr. Gunn there worked at his trade for a few weeks, and in that city met Colonel John Ware, whom he known in Massachusetts, but who at that time was a merchant of Hennepin, Illinois, and decided to accompany that gentleman back to Putnam county. They made the trip by boat on the Ohio, Mississippi and Illinois rivers, arriving here in June, 1836. On the voyage the rudder was broken in a storm and was repaired by Mr. Gunn, for which he received two dollars. He has since made his home in Putnam county, being at first employed in finishing the store of Colonel Ware and later his house, for which he received from a dollar and a half to two dollars per day. He continued to work at his trade in Hennepin for a time in connection with Robert Leech, of Florid.
On the 14th of November, 1839, Mr. Gunn was united in marriage with Miss Emirancy Collins, the ceremony being performed by Rev. James H. Dickey, of the Presbyterian church. She is the daughter of Joel S. and Sally (Sprague) Collins. Her father, who was a native of Massachusetts, was taken to Warren county , New York, when six years of age, and died when his daughter was twelve years old. The birth of her mother occurred in Vermont, where she was reared, but she was married in New York. After the death of her first husband she became the wife of Amos Dewey at Hartford, New York. Mrs. Gunn was born in Granville, Washington county, New York, and in 1836, when fourteen years old, was brought to Illinois, the family making their home in Granville township, Putnam county. Her mother died while on a visit to the Green Mountain state. She has one sister, Mary Louisa, now living in the state of Washington.
Mr. Gunn invested five hundred dollars in Hennepin town lots, which never realized anything, and two years after his marriage he located upon a farm in Granville township, comprising two hundred and forty acres, for eighty of which he paid two hundred dollars. That place he sold in 1866, and purchased one hundred and seventy acres a mile east of Granville, paying forty dollars per acre. With the exception of three hundred dollars which belonged to his wife he has had no outside assistance whatever, but has succeeded in accumulating a handsome property through his own industrious efforts. Upon his farm he erected a handsome property through his own industrious efforts. Upon his farm he erected a handsome and commodious dwelling, the finest in the neighborhood, at a cost of five thousand dollars, but four years ago this was destroyed by fire, causing a heavy loss. Since that time he has made his home in the village of Granville.
To Mr. and Mrs. Gunn have been born the following children, namely: Joel Collins, born December 1, 1840, married Nellie E. Howe in 1870, and died in 1888, leaving a widow and seven children; Frances Eliza, born in 1841 and died in 1842; Amos Dewey, born in 1843, married in 1860 to Percis E. Graves, and now resides in Index, Washington; Levi Parker, born in 1844, died in 1845; Fannie Ellen, born in [January 27,] 1846, married in 1871 to B.[Baxter] A. Dickinson, and now resides in Chicago; Lucy Caroline, born in 1847, married in 1867 to C. K. Ware, and now resides at Downs, Kansas; Mary Antoinette, born in 1849, married in 1874 to B. Newport, and died in 1883; Luther Hubbard, born in 1851, died in 1852; Esther Evelyn [a.k.a. Esther Eveline], born in [October 31,] 1853, married in 1878 to C. H. Van Wormer, and now resides at West Salem, Wisconsin [later, in California]; Sarah Emirancy, born in 1856, married in 1877 to L. L. Parmalee, and now resides at Downs, Kansas; Ella Louzette, born in 1859, married in 1886 to J. S. Martin, and now resides at Granville, Illinois; Delia M., born in 1861, died the same year, Henry Dickinson, born in [April 1,] 1863, married in 1889, to Carrie Sucher, and now resides in Roggen, Colorado [later, in Startup, Washington]; Nellie Louise, born in 1864, is a music teacher; Clara Philena, born in 1866, married in 1891 to G. B. [George Bernard] Sucher [an attorney at law], and now resides in Peoria, Illinois. Eleven of the children grew to years of maturity. They also have forty grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Two of the grandchildren have been reared by our subject and his wife. One of these, Pearl Gunn, has made her home with them since six years of age and is now a teacher. Their daughter Ella L. is now the widow of Joseph Martin, and with her two children, Helen, aged eight, and Joseph, aged six, she makes her home with her parents.
Before her marriage, Mrs. Gunn was a member of the Presbyterian church, but for over forty-two years both she and her husband have been connected with the Congregational denomination and are earnest Christian people. Their hospitable home is always open to the many friends of the family, whom they delight to entertain, and by all they are held in the highest regard. Although a stalwart republican, Mr. Gunn has never cared for the official positions, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his business interests. He is still quite active and energetic, and on his eightieth birthday, assisted in cutting down a two hundred and fifty foot tree in Washington, from a piece of which he has had a stand-table made. Each of his children as they went out from the home roof have been assisted.
On the 14th of November, 1889, Mr. and Mrs. Gunn celebrated their golden wedding, which was a red letter day in their lives, about two hundred guests being present, many coming from long distances to present in person their congratulations. All their children were present but one.
Source: The Biographical Record of Bureau, Marshall, and Putnam Counties, Illinois, Illustrated, published by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1896,
pp 542-544, transcribed by HJ, February 25, 2014; Info in brackets from Past and Present of Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois, Together with Biographical Sketches of Many Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead, Illustrated, By John Spencer Burt and W. E. Hawthorne, The Pioneer Publishing Company, Chicago, 1907, p. 231
Paternal Grandparents:
Capt. Nathaniel Gunn
Hannah (Montague) Gunn
Children:
Fannie Ellen Gunn, b. Jan. 27, 1846, IL; mar. Baxter A. Dickinson, res. of Chicago; both likely died and buried Portland, Oregon
Henry D. Gunn, b. Apr. 1, 1863; res. Startup, WA
Family Members
Siblings
Half Siblings
Children
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Joel Collins Gunn
1840–1888
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Francis Eliza Gunn
1841–1842
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Pvt Amos Dewey Gunn
1843–1907
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Levi Parker Gunn
1844–1845
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Lucy Caroline Gunn Ware
1847–1932
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Mary Antoinette Gunn Newport
1849–1883
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Luther Hubbard Gunn
1851–1852
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Esther Evelyn "Eva" Gunn Van Wormer
1853–1941
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Sarah Emerancy Gunn Parmalee
1856–1940
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Ella Louzette Gunn Martin Packingham
1859–1921
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Delia M. Gunn
1861–1861
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Nellie Louise Gunn
1864–1913
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Clara Philena Gunn Sucher
1866–1954
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