SIMON DUNBAR – #10 – ahhhh, true love!

On October 4, 1838, Sugar Creek Township, Montgomery County, Indiana, Lewis Dunbar and Mary “Polly” Powers were again blessed with an offspring, their 7th son and 10th child. At the age of 20, he and Clinton-County born, Rebecca Blacker made the trip to Vermilion County, Illinois where three days after Christmas they wed. That marriage was an amazingly long-laster, both of the Dunbars passing away in 1928 a couple of months part, both approaching their 90th birthdays.

Simon heard the call of duty and leaving Rebecca and their first child with her parents, he joined 10th Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Shortly after, the unit was ready to leave but he was discharged because of a physical disability. Thus, he returned to his farming while his friends marched away to defend their patriotic duty. His own patriotism never waned, however. Although only in the regiment eight days, he was an active member of GAR and his FindAGrave entry, (photo by Gean Jenkins-Dunbar – family is listed as Standing, left to right facing photo – Charles; Carrie; Ralph; Nell; Jim; Gemma; Ella; Jack. Middle row; Mary and Alice and of course seated, their parents, Simon & Rebecca Dunbar) says he was in Co G 105th Indiana (Clinton Co). Just found his registration for that and he was in three days in this group as a Sgt from July 10 – 13 1861, the Methodist Episcopal Church and Knights of Pythias. He and Rebecca lived their last few years quietly retired in Osceola, Iowa and are buried there in Maple Hill Cemetery.

Immediately following the Civil War, Simon moved his ever-growing (a total of 12 and likely 13 with Martha who was in the 1860 census but could find nothing else about her) but some born in Indiana while others were born in Clarke County, Iowa), he beginning his career in the farming business that he knew but later developed his own stock business, sending cattle to the Chicago board of trade, and even later, moving into town (Osceola) and owning and operating a large butcher establishment. His obituary noted, “that he was blessed with a kindly disposition and a rich vein of humor.” He wished all men well and this brought him a multitude of friends.

So, let’s look at their children, William Lewis was the first born, Nov 22, 1859 but sadly passed away the following Feb (6th) and is buried at Shiloh Cemetery, in Colfax with many relatives. First daughter, second child, Mary Ann was a pretty lady, born in Clinton County 11 March 1861 and married Harmon Hubbard Hamilton (love that illiteration). They moved to Sheridan County, Wyoming where she passed away 4 March 1925. They had at least these children (Lloyd; Harry; Florence who passed at age 5, James Simon; Mary Edna (died age 1) and Charles Walter).

Alice Eliza Dunbar was a very pretty lady, as well, and was born in the height of the Civil War (July 1863) and passed away in Los Angeles, California at age 85 (buried Inglewood Park in LA). She married George Stewart Andrew in 1884 – they had at least seven children: Edith; Ruth; Lila; Arthur; Helen; Harold Simon and Mary Alice.

Adai Eleanor called Ella was the first to be born in Iowa, and passed away at age 88 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She married (1889) Ezra Berry and they were parents of at least two children Alice Leora and Lawrence Dunbar Berry.

Rebecca Jane “Gemma” born 29 Nov 1867 must have returned to Indiana at least to visit as she had a Hoffman picture marked Thorntown, Indiana and looks to be about her marrying age (1900) – married Guy Parrish. She was buried in Sheridan Wyoming (5 March 1959). He passed away ten and a half years later after being in the wholesale meat business for many years. No children were listed in their obituaries.

Simon Robert (someone has done a great deal of work on this family) also has a picture on FindAGrave – quite handsome. Born 27 March 1870 in Osceola he passed away in DesMoines 28 May 1914 at the young age of 44. He and wife Nina had two sons, Donald Eugene and Jack.

James Harrison Dunbar was quite a spiffy fellow, married to Janet Thomas and the father of Janet and James Harrison Jr. His livelihood centered around livestock. He passed away in Chicago and was cremated, having been 92 years old (1872-1964).

Charles Albert (b 21 March 1875 Osceola died 18 Feb 1948) was also cremated passing away in Magnolia Springs, Baldwin County, Alabama. He and wife Saidee were married in 1904 and do not believe had children.

Caroline Annette “Carrie” was born in Osceola 30 April 1879 and passed away at age 96 buried Ft. Collins, Colorado. She married J. Edward Wagner at her parents’ home in Osceola. She worked 26 years for the Silk Shop in Omaha and when moving to Ft. Collins to retire, she spent 15 years working in the same capacity (yard goods). She finally retired just shy of her 85th birthday. Quite active in Order of Eastern Star, she was also a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and said her hobby was “to make someone happy every day!” Love it! She and J. Edward were parents of at least two sons: Charles Edward died shortly after birth and James Dunbar Wagner.

Ralph born 18 Aug 1881 Osceola, also died at Ft. Collins, Larimer County, Colorado at age 88, was cremated and his ashes scattered around the lower portion of his nephew, James Dunbar Wagner’s ranch. He also worked for the Union Stockyards.

Nellie was born the next year in September and passed away in Newtown, Connecticut at age 92 on 12 Dec 1974. Buried Sheridan, Wyoming. Raymond Diefenderfer was her husband whom she married in 1914. He died five years previous to her. Had at least one son, Raymond Jr. called “Bud”.

John Taylor “Jack” was the last, born 4 March 1886 in Osceola and passed at Cook Co IL at age 77. Add him as a Union Stock Yards employee selling cattle from the Walters & Dunbar Ranch. He was married many years to Margaret Dalling from Chicago; don’t believe there were children here either. The name, Taylor, I’m more than sure comes from his Uncle Taylor who had been murdered four years before and that you will read about fairly soon in the Dunbar Saga.

The Dunbars are amazing story tellers and he loved to share his experience of when he first went to Chicago in regards to selling cattle, the first time not long after the Chicago fire. At that time, he purchased a large stock of dry goods. “They were throwing large batches of rubbage into the lake and burning about as much. Luckily, it hadn’t gotten as far as the yards. Simon commented that the biggest feed he ever had in his life was when they arrived in a cattle car – they were escorted to a wonderful restaurant and charged just 25 cents. They treated ‘em well because they knew the board of trade was going to be the most impressive thing in the city and likely country. He of course visited with Rebecca as in all the years they were together (other than his brief CW time) they were not separated ever for more than three or four hours! Ahhhhh, true love!

Karen Zach is the editor of Montgomery Memories, our monthly magazine all about Montgomery County. Her column, Around the County, appears each Thursday in The Paper of Montgomery County. You can reach her at [email protected]