Place: Maquoketa, Jackson County, Iowa
Died: 14 February 1945
Place: Dunlap, Harrison County, Iowa
Z.T.'s brick barn is on the National Register of Historic Places.
(Photo was taken at the O'Banion house; date unknown.)
"A member of one of the well known pioneer families of Crawford county and a highly successful farmer, Z. T. Dunham is recognized as one of the fortunate citizens of Iowa. He lives on the farm upon which he was reared, being one of the most beautiful places in this part of the state, widely known as the Pioneer Stock Farm. He was born in Maquoketa, Jackson county, December 17, 1849, a son of Cornelius Dunham, Sr., and Margaret Scott (Miller) Dunham. The father was a native of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, and his father was born in England and engaged in fishing on the coast of Cape Cod.
"Z. T. Dunham received his early education mainly at home under a private tutor. Subsequently he attended a seminary in Illinois. He has always continued upon the old homestead, which is endeared to him by many associations. He is now the owner of eight hundred and eighty acres, most of which is under a high state of cultivation. He has made many improvements upon the farm, including a modern residence provided with all desirable facilities and a large brick barn, which is one of the notable buildings in this part of the county. He has attained an enviable reputation as a breeder of polled Durham cattle and was a charter member of an organization in 1889 whose members devote their attention to this breed.
"In 1871 Mr. Dunham was united in marriage to Miss Emma Lane, a native of Illinois, and seven children were born to them: Artz L., now living in Boyer township; Clifford S., who is connected with the musical department of the Colorado State University at Boulder, Colorado; Carrie Widney, of Morrison, lIIinois; R. W., at home; C. A., who lives with his brother, Artz L. ; Jennie Margaret, who is attending college at Cedar Falls, Iowa; and Frederick, deceased.
"Mr. Dunham has witnessed the marvelous development in Crawford county - a portion of the state which was largely unoccupied when he was a youth and is now one of the richest sections of Iowa. He has assisted very materially in bringing about this great transformation.
"Politically he gives his support to the republican party, belonging to that branch of the organization known as the "standpatters." He has not sought the honors or emoluments of public life but has served in various township offices. In religious belief he gives his adherence to the Methodist Episcopal church and has faithfully served for many years as a member of the board of trustees of the local organization.
"Z. T. Dunham, the son of Cornelius and Margretta Dunham, the first pioneer parents in Crawford County, Iowa, was born in Maquoketa, Jackson County, Iowa, on December 17th, 1849, and departed this life at his home in Dunlap, Harrison County, Iowa, on Wednesday morning, Feb. 14, 1945, at the age of 95 years, one month and 27 days.
"On September 12, 1871, he was united in marriage to Emma Lane. To this union were born seven children; one child, a little boy, died in infancy. Those surviving are Artz Dunham, the eldest, who with his wife Rose Dunham live on the old home farm. Others are Clifford S. Dunham of Boulder, Colorado, Mrs. Carrie Lyle Widney, Ralph Winfield Dunham and Clark Nye Dunham, all of Dunlap, Iowa, also Mrs. Jennie Margretta Kepple of Long Beach, California.
"His father was the first settler in Crawford county and also the first one to settle on the west side of the Boyer river where the Dunham homestead now stands. Today his sons and grandsons till the soil that was chosen so long ago, and the fifth generation is growing up to follow in the same footsteps.
"Mr. Dunham's life was a long record of high integrity and deep devotion to his God. Uniting with the First Methodist Church at Dunlap in 1871, he took a great interest in the program and welfare of the Church at all times. His greatest wish was to follow the will of his Heavenly Father. In his early youth he studied at Mt. Morris Seminary, Illinois, for the Ministry, but was compelled to return home to assist his mother on the Pioneer stock farm, where he operated with outstanding success for many years. His noble life will leave an influence in this community and State that will grow with the years to come.
"He was a member of the official board of First Methodist church continuously for the greater part of his adult life and was a member of that body at the time of his death. He was a leader in all that was best for his community, his Church and his fellow man.
"His interest in improvement for better methods in farming and livestock breeding never lagged. He was honored in the state in 1929 with the title of Master Farmer for his earnest work in this field.
"In 1883 he began his long career in the founding of a herd of Shorthorn cattle, and has, in the long years of experience, established an enviable record in that field. He and his sons have become well known in the cattle industry. His judgment was often sought by those who were his customers and many herds had their beginning under his choosing.
"He had many other interests and gave his best attention to their success. The Farmer's Club of which he was a charter member, the Farm Bureau, and county organizations held his interest.
"He cherished the warm friendships of his many friends who enjoyed chatting with him, as his mind was keen and his interest in world affairs remained strong. His one wish was to live to see the establishment of world peace. He was so interested in the new peace plans and their fulfillment.
"Besides the children mentioned above, there remains to mourn his passing a large number of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and other relatives and friends.
"Funeral services were conducted at the Methodist church in Dunlap, Iowa, on Saturday afternoon, February 17, at 2:30, by Rev. Louis Henre Joslin. Music was furnished by Lillian Dunham of Boulder, Colorado, a granddaughter. The hymns had been chosen by Mr. Dunham as his favorite ones.
"Those from a distance who attended the services were Mr. and Mrs. C. S. Dunham of Boulder, Colo., Misses Phyllis and Lillian Dunham from Columbia, Mo., Mrs. Jennie D. Kepple, Long Beach, Calif., Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ganoe and John Miller from Sloan, E. S. Miles and Mrs. Lucy Conrad of Woodbine, Paul A. Johnson and Bryan Weberg, Denison, C. L. Strong and Fred Evans of Logan.
