Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Page 512  

WILLIAM H. DUNKIN, one of the early pioneers of Waco Township, came to this county before many settlements had been made, and when these broad prairies were mostly in a wild and uncultivated state, and in common with the other early settlers of that period, experienced the trials and privations incident to life in a new country, but by energy, arduous labor and economy, he has succeeded in acquiring a modest competency. He is a native of Cass County, Ind., where he was born Sept. 29, 1849, being the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Peyton) Dunkin, (for parental history see sketch of Sylvanus Dunkin.)

            Our subject was reared on the farm of his grandfather Peyton, going there to live at his mother's death, when he was nearly two years old. He received a good common-school education, and remained in his native State until, accompanied by his brother Sylvanus, now Clerk of Sedgwick County, he came to Kansas. He took up a homestead claim on section 31, of Waco Township, and at once commenced improving And cultivating his land. After getting it in a satisfactory condition so that he felt assured that he could comfortably support a wife, he retraced his steps to Indiana, and soon after was married to Miss Margaret C. Coin, a native of Cass County, and the daughter of S. R. and Ellen Coin. After remaining in his native State two years our subject returned with his wife to Kansas, and took possession of his farm in Waco Township, where he lived until 1885, engaged in agricultural pursuits. He then removed to Clark County, this State, where he took up another claim, but two years later returned to his homestead in Sedgwick County, which he still owns; it comprises 120 acres of well-improved and valuable land; it is very pleasantly located in one of the most fertile regions of the county, and on it he has erected a comfortable dwelling and ample and convenient farm buildings.

            To Mr. Dunkin and his worthy wife have been born seven children, namely: Cora, Daisy A., Bruce, William L., Mary Susie, Samuel C. and Grace. Besides giving their children a judicious home training these wise parents, desirous of also giving them the advantages of the superior educational system of Wichita, removed to this city Sept. 12, 1887, taking up their residence at No. 411 Main street, where, with characteristic enterprise, Mr. Dunkin, with the hearty co-operation of his wife, is ably conducting a boarding-house.

            Mr. Dunkin is a stanch Republican, and essentially a self-made man, to whom all credit is due for his worthy and persevering efforts, which have met with abundant success.

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