Doniphan Dunlap

DONIPHAN DUNLAP. - Doniphan Dunlap, who materially assists in maintaining the reputation of Wyandotte county as a superior agricultural and stock raising region, is actively and prosperously engaged in his chosen vocation near Bonner Springs, having a large and well appointed estate. A native of Missouri, he was born November 11, 1841, in Platte county, and was there bred and educated.

William Dunlap, his father, was born and reared on a Virginia farm. In 1825, ambitious to try the hazard of new fortunes, he followed the trail of the emigrant westward across the Mississippi river, but did not remain long in the wild region of the western borders. Going back to his old home, he remained there until 1836, when, accompanied by his young bride, he made another journey toward the setting sun and located in Platte county, Missouri. Buying a tract of wild land, he cleared and improved a farm, and there both he and his wife spent their remaining days. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Mary Hyatt, eight children were born, as follows: William, Narcissa, Preston, George P., Laura, Sue, all deceased; Doniphan, the special subject of this brief sketch; and Edna, widow of J. W. Whitlock, residing on the home farm in Wyandotte county, Kansas.

Brought up on the parental homestead, Doniphan Dunlap attended the district school regularly throughout the days of his boyhood and youth. In 1863 he made a trip across the plains to Fort Union, New Mexico, hauling government supplies, being driver of one of the wagons in a train which consisted of twenty-six wagons, each one drawn by twelve head of cattle, the round trip consuming one hundred days. He relates many interesting incidents of the trip, especially concerning the Indians, who were always friendly to him and his companions, causing no trouble. Subsequently Mr. Dunlap went to Montana in search of gold, but as a miner met with no very brilliant results. In 1868 he located in Wyandotte county, Kansas, and having purchased two hundred and forty acres of land, began the improvement of his present fine farm, which is now under a good state of cultivation and yields abundant harvests, especially of wheat, of which he makes a specialty, Mr. Dunlap also raises a fine grade of stock, in this line of industry also having good success. He is a Democrat in politics and a member of the Christian church.

Mr. Dunlap was united in marriage, December 5, 1878, with Martha Catherine Michaels, a native of Ohio, and into their household four children have been born, namely: Guy V., a farmer in Wyandotte county, James R., living on the home farm; Ella A.; and Eva. Mrs. Dunlap passed to the life beyond February 14, 1900.