Day DUNNING, cashier of the Citizen's Bank, at Mount Ayr, is a native of Cass County, Michigan, born October 15, 1849, a son of Barton B. and S. L. (STYLES) (sic) DUNNING, the father born in Erie County, New York, April 3, 1808, and the mother a native of Massachusetts. They were married in Indiana, and to them were born four sons - Walter, Frank, Day, and Charles B., of whom Charles B. is deceased [died October 22, 1880].

Barton B. DUNNING, father of our subject, passed his youth his native State, where he was reared to agricultural pursuits, and when a young man he went with his parents to Michigan, where he improved a large farm. He learned the cooper's trade, which he followed in Michigan, subsequently removed his business to Chicago, Illinois, where he engaged in the manufacture of barrels.

He was one of the early settlers of Ringgold County, bringing his family here in the spring of 1855, before Mount Ayr was laid out. He was the first merchant in Mount Ayr, bringing his first goods from Keokuk, Iowa, and in connection with his mercantile business he dealt in real estate and carried on farming and stock raising.

He was one of the most active and enterprising citizens of Mount Ayr, and was one who helped to give the town an early impetus. He died in Mount Ayr in 1877. His widow still survives.

Day DUNNING, whose name heads this sketch, was quite young when he was brought by his parents to Mount Ayr, and there he was reared, receiving his education the schools of Mount Ayr.

At the age of eighteen he began farming and dealing in stock under the direction of his father, and later left the farm and engaged in the mercantile business, in partnership with Andrew INGRAM, with whom he was associated under the firm name of Ingram & Dunning for five years, when they disposed of their business.

Mr. DUNNING was married in 1870 to Miss Paroda KELLER, a daughter of I[saac] W. KELLER, and to this union have been born eight children.

In the fall of 1880, after the death of his brother, Charles B. DUNNING, who had organized the Citizens' Bank at Mount Ayr, in June, 1880, Day DUNNING took charge of the business, and soon after became sole proprietor and cashier, and has since been doing a general banking business.

Mr. DUNNING has served some time as city councilman, and is also a member of the School Board. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has been trustee and steward for many years.

NOTE: Paroda Ann (KELLER) DUNNING's father Isaac W. KELLER was born September 29, 1828, Mt. Ephriam, Noble County, Ohio, and died April 3, 1923, Mount Ayr, Iowa. Her mother Rachel (MORRIS) KELLER was born November 3, 1833, Mt. Ephraim, Ohio, and died September 4, 1916. Paroda Ann was their first-born of ten children.

Paroda Ann (KELLER) DUNNING was born March 21, 1852, Mt. Ephraim, Noble County, Ohio, and died January 29, 1941 at Indianola, Warren County, Iowa. Day DUNNING died from blood poisoning and lock-jaw on July 10, 1923, Parson, Labette County, Kansas. Day and Paroda were interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Barton Burgess DUNNING died October 13, 1877. Laura Lucina (STILES) DUNNING was born May 20, 1815, Granville, Massachusetts, and died May 18, 1906, Mount Ayr. Barton and Laura were interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr.

Charles B. DUNNING was the first child born in Mount Ayr, on December 5, 1855. He died from complications of diabetes on October 22, 1880, with interment at Woodland Cemetery near Kellerton, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Paroda (KELLER) and Day DUNNING were the parents of thirteen children:

1) Clyde Keller DUNNING
    born 19 Sep 1871, Mount Ayr, IA
    married Alice Gertrude MANSON
2) Clarence Earl DUNNING
    bor 03 Apr 1873, Mount Ayr, IA; died 25 Aug 1906, Denver CO
    Interment Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Ringgold Co. IA
    married 04 Jan 1899, Mount Ayr IA Jennie Mae PRESTON, born 07 Oct 1874
    Children of Clarence Earl & Jennie Mae (PRESTON) DUNNING:
      1) Louise DUNNING
      2) Mildred DUNNING, born 12 Nov 1899; died 16 Apr 1900
          Interment Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, IA
3) Arthur Weldon DUNNING
    born 14 Dec 1874, Mount Ayr, IA
4) Laura Fern DUNNING
    born 13 Feb 1877, Mount Ayr, IA
    married Mr. McCOY; 2 children:
      1) Charles Dunning McCOY, born 1905
          married Florence MARTIN, born 1905
      2) Sarah Elizabeth McCOY, born 1912
          married Gerrit GERMERAAD, born 1914
5) Walter Lyle DUNNING
    born 16 May 1879, Mount Ayr, IA
    married 27 Jun 1906 Madge PETTIT, born 05 Jan 1882, Oskaloosa IA
    Children of Walter Lyle & Madge (PETTIT) DUNNING:
      1) John Wolcott DUNNING
          married Louise FRENCH; 3 children
      2) Barton Burgess DUNNING, born 1915
          married Mary Elizabeth ROSS; 3 children
      3) Walter Lyle DUNNING, twin
          born 14 Aug 1909, Ottumwa IA; died 24 Aug 1909, Ottumwa IA
      4) David Day DUNNING, twin
          born 14 Aug 1909, Ottumwa IA; died 25 Aug 1909, Ottumwa IA
      5) Paroda Ann DUNNING
          married John Elijah TOMS, born 1911; 2 children
      6) Virginia DUNNING, born 10 Mar 1914; died Dec 1967
          married 18 Jun 1938 William Matthew AIKEN (1910-1952); 2 children
6) Ethel Genevive DUNNING
    born 01 Apr 1881, Mount Ayr, IA
    married J. JUDSON, born 1876
    Children of Ethel & J. JUDSON:
      1) Alice Josephine JUDSON, born 1905
          married Harold L. FISHER, born 1904; 3 children
      2) Sarabelle JUDSON, born 1913
          married William O. RULE, born 1912; 1 son
7) Charles Burgess DUNNING
    born 21 Jul 1883, Mount Ayr, IA
    married Julia Rose WAGNER, born 1890
      Child: Vivian Doris DUNNING, born 1911
8) Lena Rachel DUNNING
    born 31 Aug 1886, Mount Ayr, IA
    married Wilbur Lyle KIRBY, born 1885
      Child: Mary Lucille KIRBY, born 1914
               married 1st Robert K. FISHER, born 1912
               married 2nd Clarence ATWOOD, born 1905; died 1930
9) Barton DUNNING
    born 30 Aug 1887, Mount Ayr, IA
    married Blanche Irene McILY, born 1888
10) Arla Augusta DUNNING
      born 11 Apr 1890, Mount Ayr, IA
      married Peter Vernon HALL, born 1885; died Labette Co. KS
      Children of Arla & Peter HALL:
        1) Helen Rose HALL, born 1915
            married Max BARRIER
        2) Robert Vernon HALL
            born 18 Sep 1913, Oswego KS; died Nov 1959, Pleasanton KS
11) Howard Loomis DUNNING
      born 01 Aug 1892, Mount Ayr, IA; died 1918
12) Irma Lucille DUNNING
      born 11 Oct 1894, Mount Ayr, IA
      married James Sherrie HARRIS, born 1892; 2 daughters
13) Paul Rex DUNNING
      born 22 Sep 1897, Mount Ayr, IA; died 13 Apr 1992, Naperville IL
      married 1st Frances ACKLIN, born 1900; died 1923
        Child: Doris Elaine DUNNING, born 1919
      married 2nd Emma I. UMBENHOWER
                        born 18 Jul 1905, Chariton IA; died 24 Nov 1945, Des Moines IA
        parents of two sons
      married 3rd Mary Ann (?), died 1991

Also interrred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa:
Harry DUNNING, died age six months & 8 days, 18 Aug 1870

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, Pp. 258-59, 1887.

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2009

Biographical Sketches Pages Index: A - F,   G - L,   M - R,  S - Z