Gershom Dunn

    Gershom Dunn, farmer, Manchester, born in Hamilton County, Ohio, August 4, 1809, is a son of Micajah and Sarah (Torrence) Dunn, hw a native of New Jersey and she of Pennsylvania. About 1790 they were among the early settlers at Columbia, Ohio; were united in marriage about 1799, and settled west of Cincinnati, six miles north of the Ohio River. About 1818 they removed to Dearborn County, Indiana, and settled on land upon which the village of Guilford now stands, there being but three or four other families in that vicinity. The block-houses were still there for the protection of the settlers against the Indians. About 1823 Mr. Dunn purchased the northwest quarter of Section 19, in Manchester Township, upon which he settled with his family, where he resided till his death, January 12, 1844, aged seventy-five years. His wife died September 1, 1849. They had nine children: Mercy, Nancy, Elizabeth, Samuel, Gershom, Letitia, Mary Jane, John and William. Of these Letitia and William are residing in Nebraska, and were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years.

    The subject of this sketch was raised form infancy to manhood familiar with pioneer life, June 20, 1833, he was united in marriage with Miss Jane Freeland, daughter of John and Mary Freeland, natives of New York, but who became early settlers of Hamilton County, Ohio, and then of this county. By this union they have had eleven children, ten now living: George H., Mary Eliza, Samuel, Hannah Ann, Micajah, Sarah Jane, William Henry, Elizabeth, Elvira P. and Amos M. Of these Micajah is a merchant in Lawrenceburgh, and William Henry a physician in Wilmington. Samuel, Micajah and John served their country in the war of the Rebellion, the latter losing his life by disease contracted in the service.

    Mr. Dunn has spent a long and active business life, making farming the base of his operations. He has also dealt largely in stock, and for a period of fifteen years or more, commencing in 1832, did quite an extensive boating business on the river. In all his business he has been very successful; has raised and educated a sufficient competency for life.

    He and wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for forty years he has been a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, Lodge No. 503, and one who has given freely of his means and influence to all moral and Christian causes of his neighborhood and community.

Source: History of Dearborn and Ohio Counties, Indiana by F.E. Weakley & Co., 1885.