George Grundy Dunn
George Dunn | |
---|---|
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana's 3rd district | |
In office March 4, 1855 – March 3, 1857 | |
Preceded by | Cyrus L. Dunham |
Succeeded by | James Hughes |
Member of the Indiana Senate | |
In office 1850–1852 | |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana's 6th district | |
In office March 4, 1847 – March 3, 1849 | |
Preceded by | John W. Davis |
Succeeded by | Willis A. Gorman |
Personal details | |
Born | Washington County, Kentucky, U.S. | December 20, 1812
Died | September 4, 1857 Bedford, Indiana, U.S. | (aged 44)
Political party | People's Party (1855–1857) |
Other political affiliations | Whig (before 1854) |
Education | Indiana University |
George Grundy Dunn (December 20, 1812 – September 4, 1857) was an American lawyer and politician who served two nonconsecutive terms as a U.S. Representative from Indiana, from 1847 to 1849 and again from 1855 to 1857.
Early life and education
[edit]George Grundy Dunn was born in Washington County, Kentucky on December 20, 1812, to Samuel and Elizabeth Grundy Dunn. In 1823, his family moved to Monroe County, Indiana. He completed preparatory studies and attended Indiana Seminary which is now known as Indiana University in Bloomington. Due to a dispute with a professor, Dunn left the school in his third year.[1]
Career
[edit]In 1833, Dunn moved to Switzerland County, Indiana to teach school. He later moved to Bedford, Indiana to study law. Dunn was admitted to the bar in 1835 and partnered with Richard W. Thompson to practice law in Bedford. In 1842, he became the prosecuting attorney of Lawrence County, Indiana.[1]
Politics
[edit]Dunn served in several political offices. He was well known for his passionate oratory skills.[1] Dunn was elected as a Whig to the Thirtieth Congress (March 4, 1847 – March 3, 1849). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1848.
Dunn served in the Indiana Senate from 1850 until 1852, when he resigned to oversee his law practice.
Position on slavery
[edit]An opponent of slavery, Dunn was drawn back into politics after the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act which expanded slavery. Dunn was elected as an Indiana People's Party candidate to the Thirty-fourth Congress (March 4, 1855 – March 3, 1857). He was in poor health for much of his term and did not seek renomination in 1856.
Marriage and family
[edit]In 1841, Dunn married Julia Fell.[1] They had four children: Moses Fell Dunn (1842–1915), Samuel Dunn (1844–1845), Julia M Dunn (1845–1845), and George Grundy Dunn (1846–1891).
Death
[edit]Dunn died in Bedford, Indiana, on September 4, 1857.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Dunn family collection, 1851-1974, bulk 1851-1955". Archives Online at Indiana University.
External links
[edit]- Archives Online at Indiana University: Dunn family collection, 1851-1974, bulk 1851-1955
- Archives Online at Indiana University: Dunn mss., 1834-1850
- Archives Online at Indiana University: Dunn mss. II, 1831-1864
This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- 1812 births
- 1857 deaths
- People from Washington County, Kentucky
- Whig Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Indiana
- Opposition Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Indiana
- Indiana state senators
- People from Monroe County, Indiana
- People from Bedford, Indiana
- 19th-century American legislators
- 19th-century Indiana politicians
- Indiana politician stubs