3/10/11

Leo Peter Dunn, Grandson of Michael Dunn

Leo Peter Dunn was the brother of my generation's great grandfather, William Edward Dunn - whose story is covered elsewhere in this blog. Shown here is Leo's 1917 World War I draft registration: (Click to enlarge it.)

 

































Comments about Leo's life are included at the bottom of this page. To start, however, I will simply recount the data I've learned about him.


Descendancy Chart: Pierce Dunn to Leo P Dunn

Pierce Dunn:
He was farmer in Ireland. The evidence we have suggests he emigrated to England in the mid-1800s as a result of the potato blight and resulting famine in Ireland, probably with his son Michael.

Michael Dunn and Bridget Grace Dunn:
He went from being a laborer in Ireland to becoming a farmer in Illinois. They emigrated from Ireland to England, married there, then emigrated to the U.S. in 1858. They settled in Illinois.

Peter L Dunn and Ellen Morris Dunn:
He was Michael and Bridget's eldest son, and was born in England. He moved from Illinois to Washington state to Kansas during his lifetime and it seems likely he became a farmer.

Leo Peter Dunn and Ruth Irene Gray Dunn:
He is first recorded as being a farm hand. Later records show him as an auto repairman and then an auto salesman. He moved from Washington to Kansas to California during his lifetime.

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Here are the facts we have about Leo:

From the 1900 federal census:
The family was living in Garfield, Washington. Leo was age 5, Peter was 42 (recorded as born in England) and Ellen was age 45 (born in Illinois). Leo’s year of birth is shown as 1894, which differs from other records showing it as 1893.

This census shows Peter’s father [Michael] as being born in Scotland and his mother [Bridget] being born in Ireland. However, other records show both parents being born in Ireland. Ellen’s parents are both shown as being born in Ireland.

Peter’s occupation is not shown in this census, but the neighbors are all farmers, which suggests that he was as well. It records Peter as having emigrated in 1859, but his parents emigrated in 1858, and we believe he was with them at that time. Ellen is recorded as being the mother of eight children, with only four still living.

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From Leo’s 1917 WW I Draft Registration:
■ Name:  age 23;

■ Address: RR 1, Culver, Kansas;
■ Date of birth: October 24th, 1893;
■ Born in Garfield, Washington;
■ Occupation: Farm hand;
■ Employer: Walter Selleck, RR 1, Culver, Kansas;
■ He claimed an exemption from the draft because he had a wife;
■ Previous military service: 2 years as a private in the Coast Artillery, Massachusetts.
(See the footnote at the bottom of this page for information about the Coast Artillery)

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From the 1920 federal census:

The family was living in Richland, Labette County, Kansas.
■ Leo's mother, Ellen, age 64, was the head of the household;
■ Leo was listed as Peter L Dunn, age 26, son. (It appears this
is a reversal of his first and middle names in this record);
■ His occupation was shown as auto repairman at a garage;
■ Ruth, Leo’s wife, age 22, was listed as Ellen's daughter-in-law;
■ Peter F was listed as grandson.

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His great granddaughter Jeanne Means posted this on Ancestry.com with this caption: "Leo was a Deputy Sheriff in 1923 for Parsons, Kansas"














From the 1925 Kansas census:
The family was living in Parsons, Labette County, Kansas.
■ Leo P, age 31, was the head of the household;
■ His occupation was listed as auto salesman;
■ Ruth I, wife, was age 27;
■ Children listed were Peter F, age 7, and Frank L, age 3.


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From the California Death Index:
■ It shows Leo’s mother’s maiden name as Lyons, which is inconsistent with other information showing her maiden name as Morris;
■ It shows his Social Security number as 530-03-5058;
■ His date of birth: 23 Oct, 1893;
■ His date of death: 4 Dec, 1942, in Los Angeles.


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From his granddaughter, Carla Myers Busby:Leo Peter had two sons.
■ Peter Frederick – born Dec. 10,1917
Peter had four children. Evelyn, Donald, Ruth Irene, Ronald Eugene.
■ Franklin Leonard Dunn (Myers) – born April 25,1922
Frank had three children. Larry Franklin, Leonard Blaine, and Carla Gail.



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As noted elsewhere in this blog, I was able to connect with this branch of our family after posting an inquiry on a genealogy message board - which led to my becoming acquainted with a very helpful gal by the name of Kate. I was looking for information about Michael and Bridget Grace Dunn, and Kate knew of someone else who was also looking for them.

That person was Carla, and Kate linked us up. It turned out that Carla is my generation's long-lost second cousin, and she has been working on her family history for many years. She provided most of the information we have on this branch of the family tree.

Early in my dialogue with her I related to Carla the story of my search for my generation’s grandfather, Eugene Michael Dunn. I also told her that he seemed to have disappeared after abandoning his wife, Hazel Nolan Dunn, and two small children, William Edward (Bill) and Rita Jane Dunn, sometime after Rita was born in 1928.

In response, I received the following from her:

"Hey Pat!

We must be related! My grandfather, Leo Peter Dunn, also abandoned his wife and 2 small sons in 1924. My father had no use for the man, and Dad always said, 'I wouldn't recognize him if I saw him and I sure wouldn't walk across the street to shake his hand.'

 My grandmother, Ruth Irene Dunn, remarried and my father took his stepfather's last name. I never met the Dunn side of the family, I heard bits and pieces growing up and I should mention that what information I did hear was not flattering.

 During a visit with a Great-Aunt, she showed me a picture of my grandfather, a wedding certificate and an excerpt from my grandmother's diary. That started my search, from just those few items.

 I was told my grandfather died in a car wreck in Colorado during WWII. I spent at least 10 years looking for that man!

 Surfing the Web one evening, I came across his name in the California Death Index. Thru an 'Act of Genealogical Kindness' I received a copy of his Death Certificate. He died of TB in Los Angeles, in 1942.

 He claimed no family, and no family claimed him. Instead of a simple burial, his body was used for medical research. Over the past 5 years, information about him has trickled in. I've discovered he was a 'Con Man.' He married one woman, told her he had never been married, never had children and his parents were dead. Then he stole her car, sold it and disappeared. The general family consensus is - being used for medical research, he may possibly have contributed something positive - finally...."

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From his great granddaughter, Jeane Means:

"Dear Pat,
My name is Loretta J. Means [she goes by Jeane], I am Peter Fredrick Dunn‘s (1917/1980) granddaughter. I am looking up family names and typed in Leo Peter Dunn and found your site. We have people in common. We have always wondered where Leo went after his abandoning grandpa Dunn and Frank, and to find this out is a blessing.

Frank took [the] Myers name but his mother’s maiden name is Gray, from Culver, Salina Co. Kansas. I have all of her information. Her parents are buried in Culver Cemetery, Fred and Daisy (Herrington) Gray. She, Ruth Irene (Gray) Myers is buried around Parsons, Kansas and I have some of that information. She died in 1979.

You can reach me at [phone number snipped] here in Kansas anytime; this is a cell phone which is glued to my hip, lol.

Thank you for posting this.

Loretta J. Means"


Jeane is my generation’s 4th cousin.


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Footnote about the Massachusetts Coast Artillery:

Never having heard of the Coast Artillery, I did a bit of research and found the info below. Bottom line: The Massachusetts Coast Artillery was a volunteer militia dating back to 1784, and was a precursor to what we now know as the National Guard.

From a book titled, "The Old First Massachusetts Coast Artillery in War and Peace" comes this excerpt:


"...Who was then sufficiently far-sighted to foresee that on June 30, 1916, the same company would take the Federal oath as the '1st Company, Coast Artillery Corps, National Guard of Massachusetts' ? A company in those days was commanded by a captain with the rank of Major; and this office was promptly conferred upon John Jones Spooner. Jonathan Warner became the 'Captain-lieutenant,' and Joseph Pierpont and John Swift were elected the other two lieutenants, as at that time authorized.

Warrants were issued to four sergeants; four musicians were appointed, twenty-four men were detailed as cannoneers, eight as pioneers, three as drivers and when two brass four-pounder cannon had been issued to them, the Roxbury Artillery were ready for any kind of a fight or frolic. It was not to be until Aug. 30, 1849, that Gen. H. A. S. Dearborn would suggest the famous motto now borne by the Company, 'In time of peace prepare for war.' No one can question however but that the sentiment of the motto has always controlled 1st Company activities."


The book says the Coast Artillery became largely ceremonial at some point - called upon for parades and such - but was reactivated as a military force in 1916, as cited above. The timing was undoubtedly a result of the fact that what became known as World War I was underway in Europe. In 1916 the U.S. was not yet involved in the war, but the looming possibility of U.S. involvement - which occurred in 1917 - must have triggered the reactivation.

The book from which the above excerpt comes can be read online by clicking
here. To turn the pages forward or back, click on the right or left page of the book as it appears on the monitor. Clicking on the "+" sign at the top of the page enlarges the print and allows for scrolling the pages.

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So there you have it. Both Leo Peter and Eugene Michael Dunn - grandsons of Michael and Bridget Grace Dunn - abandoned their wives and small children in the 1920s. We'll bever know why, but it seems very strange to me.


Please refer to the disclaimer on the index page of this blog for a statement regarding the accuracy of - and documentation for - the information presented in this blog.

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Last updated 6/15/2012

3/8/11

Our Cash Family and Ohio’s Oldest Homestead Farm

Included below is an interesting article about the farm settled by pioneer Jonathan Cash, Sr., in 1830 - shortly after Ohio became a state in 1803. 

Jonathan Sr. was my generation's maternal GGG grandfather. This matrix illustrates the family connections between the people named both in the article and elsewhere on this page and my generation. (Click to enlarge it.)


















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Here are photos of some of the people named above:


◄ George W. Cash, Sr., family,
Hopedale, Ohio, 1951*

George Jr., Betty,
James R,
George Sr.,
Mildred














◄ George Sr. & Mildred
(Klingensmith) Cash,
Hopedale, Ohio, 1951*











*
Source: Kathy Shea's Ancestry.com family tree

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Background:

Received from Cash cousin Kathy Shea:

"…I became acquainted with Joyce Cash Mencer when I went in search of Cashes who were still living in Ohio. Joyce seems to be the family historian for the Cashes there and she’s provided a wealth of information. She, in turn, introduced me to David Cash, who descends from George Wesley [Cash]."

and...


"Attached is an interesting article I got from our “new cousin,” David Cash. Note the reference to the 1,000 acres! How come I can’t find any record of that land?!?"


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Forwarded by Kathy Shea:

From: [Cash cousin] David Cash
To: [Cash cousin] Joyce Mencer
Cc: [Kathy Shea]

Subject: Cash Historic Homestead

"In preparing the photos for you today, I found that I had a copy of the Freeport Press, 7/29/1937 which had an article about 'Ohio's Oldest Homestead Farm.'

In addition I found a photo of the ox yoke that my grandfather, GW Cash Jr. had hung in their home. He turned it into a chandelier and I now realize what this was!

Enjoy!"

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The article below can be enlarged by clicking it twice to make it bigger, and I've also transcribed it to make its content easier to read:

(Freeport (Ohio) Press, July 29th,1937)
Ohio’s Oldest

Homestead Farm Is
Near Piedmont

“The historic homestead, owned and operated by Geo. W. Cash of Piedmont, is now in possession of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District.

This is the only farm in Belmont County, and the oldest in Ohio with a United States Homestead Deed. It was settled by Jonathan Cash, Sr. in 1830, and has remained in the Cash family ever since without changing hands by sale.

In 1830 the Pioneer Cash secured 1000 acres of dense forest. On the farm is the oldest log barn in the community, built in 1831, with whiskey absolutely tabooed. It is still in good serviceable condition.

A geological survey showed an old Indian camp and burial ground, which have been of interest to hundreds of school children and others. A Gilead tree planted by the Old Pioneer is now six feet in diameter and still rigorous. A sugar camp of 250 trees, some with a diameter of 8½ feet, and cared for as an heirloom, must go. Hickory nut trees of five different varieties were planted by Jonathan Cash, Jr. Two specimens have taken prizes, [one] being the largest, and the other the smallest thin-shelled nut in the state of Ohio.

When the farm was settled the nearest neighbor lived nine miles away.

The ox yoke used in the work of clearing the land is still in Mr. Geo Cash’s possession. It bears the date '1834'.


















The old landmark [the farm] must now go in order to protect that part of the population that chose to build in the lowlands.”


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Please refer to the disclaimer on the index page of this blog for a statement regarding the accuracy of - and documentation for - the information presented in this blog.

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Last revised March 9, 2011

3/2/11

Jonathan Cash's U.S. Civil War Discharge - and More

Jonathan Cash [Jr.] served in the Union army during the U.S. Civil War, and shown here is a copy of his 1865 army discharge (click once to enlarge it, twice to make it very large).

Jonathan was the brother of my generation's maternal GG grandfather, William Galen Cash, which, according to an online "cousin calculator", makes him my generation's GG grand uncle.


Source: Joyce Cash Mencer's 1990 Cash family history
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Because it's difficult to read, following is a transcription of it into which I've inserted a larger, cleaner rendition of the eagle:

To all whom it may Concern:

















Know ye, that Jonathan Cash, Private, of Captain John G. Bell [‘s] Company H, 185th Regiment of Ohio Infantry volunteers, who was enrolled on the eighteenth day of February, one thousand eight hundred and sixty five, to serve one years (sic) or during the war, is hereby discharged from the service of the United States this twenty sixth day of Sept., 1865, at Lexington, Kentucky, by reason of special order [unintellible]. (No objection to his being reenlisted is known to exist*.)

Said Jonathan Cash was born in Belmont Co[unty] in the state of Ohio, is twenty six years of age, five feet five inches high, fair complexion, hazel eyes, brown[?] hair, and by occupation when enrolled, a farmer.

Given at Lexington, Kentucky, this twenty sixth day of Sept., 1863 [this date appears to be an error, it should be 1865].

*This sentence will be erased should there be anything
  in the conduct or physical condition of the soldier

  rendering him unfit for the army.
[A.G.O., No 90] 
(Signed)                                           (Signed)
John G Bell                                      (unintelligible)
Capt Co H 185 [Regiment?]               Commanding the Reg’t
                                                       (unintelligible)
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Additional data about his service (from Ancestry.com)

American Civil War Soldiers about Jonathan Cash

Name: Jonathan Cash
Enlistment Date: 18 Feb 1865
Side Served: Union
State Served: Ohio
Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 18 February 1865 at the age of 26. Enlisted in Company H, 185th Infantry Regiment Ohio on 18 Feb 1865. Mustered Out Company H, 185th Infantry Regiment Ohio on 26 Sep 1865 at Lexington, KY.

Source (access requires subscription to Ancestry.com)

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About the 185th Ohio Volunteer Infantry
(from Ancestry.com):


One Hundred and Eighty-fifth Infantry. - Col., John E. Cummins; Lieut.-Col., Dennis E. Williams; Maj., Horatio N. Benjamin. This regiment was organized at Camp Chase, Feb. 25, 1865, to serve for one year. It left there on Feb. 27, under orders to report to Gen. Thomas at Nashville, but was detained at Louisville by Gen. Palmer, who applied to Gen. Thomas and obtained permission to retain the regiment in Kentucky.

Regimental headquarters were established at Eminence and the companies were scattered through the state from Owensboro to Cumberland gap, the latter place being guarded for several months by four companies of the regiment. Mt. Sterling was guarded by two companies together with a detachment of the 53d Ky., all under the command of Maj. Benjamin. Shelbyville, Lagrange, Greensburg and several other towns were garrisoned at times by companies of the regiment. On Sept. 26 it was mustered out at Lexington, in accordance with orders from the war department.

Source (requires subscription to Ancestry.com) 

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185th Ohio Infantry (from Wikipedia)

185th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry
Active February 25, 1865 to September 26, 1865
Country: United States
Allegiance: Union
Branch: Infantry

The 185th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (or 185th OVI) was an infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

Service:
The 185th Ohio Infantry was organized at Camp Chase in Columbus, Ohio, and mustered in for one year service on February 25, 1865, under the command of Colonel John E. Cummins. The regiment left Ohio under orders for Nashville, Tennessee, February 27. Detained at Louisville, Kentucky, and assigned to guard duty at various points in Kentucky from Owensboro to Cumberland Gap, with headquarters at Eminence, until September, 1865. Skirmish in Bath County, Kentucky, March 26. Performed garrison duty at Mt. Sterling, Shelbyville, LaGrange, Greensboro, Cumberland Gap, and other locations. The 185th Ohio Infantry mustered out of service September 26, 1865, at Lexington, Kentucky.

Casualties:
The regiment lost a total of 35 enlisted men during service, all due to disease.

Commanders:
Colonel John E. Cummins

Attribution:
This article contains text from "A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion" (1908) by Frederick Henry Dyer, a text now in the public domain.

Source
 
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About Camp Chase, where Jonathan enlisted:
 
Camp Chase was a military staging, training and prison camp in Columbus, Ohio, during the American Civil War. All that remains of the camp today is a Confederate cemetery containing 2,260 graves. The cemetery is located in what is now the Hilltop neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio.

History:
Camp Chase was a Civil War camp established in May 1861, on land leased by the U.S. Government. It served as a replacement for the much smaller Camp Jackson. Four miles west of Columbus, the main entrance was on the National Road. Boundaries of the camp were present-day Broad Street (north), Hague Avenue (east), Sullivant Avenue (south), and near Westgate Avenue (west). Named for former Ohio Governor and Lincoln's Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase, it was a training camp for Ohio volunteer army soldiers, a parole camp, a muster-out post, and a prisoner-of-war camp. The nearby Camp Thomas served as a similar base for the Regular Army.

As many as 150,000 Union soldiers and 25,000 Confederate prisoners passed through its gates from 1861–65. By February 1865, over 9,400 men were held at the prison. More than 2,000 Confederates are buried in the Camp Chase Cemetery.

Four future Presidents passed through Camp Chase—Andrew Johnson, Rutherford B. Hayes, James Garfield, and William McKinley. It also held Confederates captured during Morgan's Raid in 1863, including Col. Basil W. Duke. Early in the war, the prison section held a group of prominent western Virginia and Kentucky civilians suspected of actively supporting secession, including former 3-term United States Congressman Richard Henry Stanton.

The camp was closed in 1865, and by September 1867, dismantled buildings, usable items, and 450 patients from Tripler Military Hospital (also in Columbus) were transferred to the National Soldier's Home in Dayton. In 1895, former Union soldier William H. Knauss organized the first memorial service at the cemetery, and in 1906 he wrote a history of the camp. The Memorial Arch was dedicated in 1902. From 1912 to 1994, the United Daughters of the Confederacy held annual services. The Hilltop Historical Society now sponsors the event on the second Sunday in June.

The Lady in Gray:
The Lady in Gray is purportedly an apparition that haunts Camp Chase Cemetery. The story goes that the ghost is looking for her lost love, and cannot find him in the cemetery. The woman is described as young, in her late teens or early twenties, dressed entirely in gray, and carrying a clean white handkerchief. The legend of the Lady in Gray dates back to just after the Civil War, when visitors to Camp Chase spotted the woman walking through the cemetery, trying to read the carved names on the marked grave markers. She was seen quite often for several years, before disappearing completely.

Camp Chase today:
Aside from the Confederate Cemetery, which still exists, the land that formerly housed Camp Chase is now a residential and commercial area known as Westgate, a community in the Hilltop section of west Columbus. This development was built in the late 1920s and early 1930s, and is now a stable, if aging, Columbus community.

Source

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Please refer to the disclaimer on the index page of this blog for a statement regarding the accuracy of - and documentation for - the information presented in this blog.


Last revised March 2nd, 2011