Dr. William Logan Dunn1

b. 15 September 1838, d. 26 June 1922
Dr. William Logan Dunn
FatherDr. Samuel Dunn2 b. 18 Feb 1805, d. 27 Nov 1888
MotherJane Beattie Ryburn Edmiston2 b. 24 Aug 1807, d. 23 May 1861
Birth15 Sep 1838 Dr. William Logan Dunn was born on 15 Sep 1838 near Glade Spring in Washington County, Virginia.3,4,5,6,7 
Education William attended the "old field schools" of his period, as well as Emory and Henry College in Washington County. He studied medicine at the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia in 1859, and at the Richmond Medical College in 1863.8 
Military1861 Virginia seceded from the Union in April 1861. On May 14th, William volunteered for one year in what was later Company D, First Virginia Cavalry (under Col. J.E.B. Stuart and Capt. Wm E. Jones). At the end of this enlisted year, he volunteered as a member of the medical staff at Richmond, later serving as a surgeon in the 43rd Battalion Virginia Cavalry, better known as Col. John Mosby's Battalion (Mosby's Rangers). During this time he was captured and sent to Harpers Ferry and Fort McHenry. He was later released in a prisoner exchange. According to Colonel Mosby's memoirs, Dr. Dunn was more fond of fighting than he was of doctoring. However, he is credited with saving Col. Mosby's life on several occasions.8,9,10,11,1 
Occupation Following the war, William returned to Washington County and became a widely respected physician in his community. He published articles in various medical journals and was a member of the Virginia Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Later in life he counted among his treasured possessions the instruments he used to treat Col. Mosby as well as documents bearing the signatures of Stonewall Jackson and Jefferson Davis.8,12 
  In later years Col. Mosby visited Dr. Dunn each summer at his home in Glade Spring. Together the men paid their respects at the grave of General William E. Jones with whom they had both served.13 
Marriage10 Oct 1866 He married first Frances Pauline Beattie, daughter of Absalom A. Beattie and Eliza Davis, on 10 Oct 1866 in Washington County.14 
Widowed1872 William was widowed in 1872 when Fannie died from an overdose of morphine. She was 25 at the time; they had been married 6 years. 
Residence1878 About 1878 William purchased 2 tracts of land in Glade Spring. He removed an old house that probably belonged to Armstong Beattie, an earlier owner of the land, and built a brick home (see below). He added an office and drug store west of the residence.15 
Marriage25 Jun 1889 He married Lucretia Reed, daughter of Benjamin Reed and Hettie Jane Sharp, on 25 Jun 1889 in Abingdon, Washington County, Virginia.16,17 
  William was 50 and "Lou", as her name appears in many records, was 20. 
Occupation1895 Beginning in 1895 Dr. Dunn held the position of local surgeon for the Norfolk and Western railroad. 
Politics1896 Politically, he was a Jacksonian Democrat, working locally to ensure McKinley was elected president in in 1896.8 
Membership He was also a member of the Masonic fraternity, serving as master of his local lodge.8 
Cens-Sum  William and Lucretia did not have children of their own, however for some years a niece, Anna Rogers lived with them.18,19,20 
Death26 Jun 1922 William died of old age on 26 Jun 1922 in Glade Spring.1 
Burial He was buried at Old Glade Spring Cemetery.3 
Biog Dr. Dunn's biography was published in "Sketches of Confederate Military History", "Men of Mark in Virginia", and in "Virginia and Virginians". His life and work was also referenced in the Philadelphia "Weekly Times" of May 7, 1881, and in the "American Medical Weekly" of Louisville, Kentucky, on January 2, 1895.8 

Related Links and Images:

William's birth entry in the Bible of his sister Emily (3rd image)21
Click here for photos and more information on the old Dunn log house where William grew up
William's home on Evergreen St. in Glade Spring22
William's headstone
Other interments in Old Glade Spring Cemetery
Last Edited3 Jun 2013

Citations

  1. [S1302] "Confederate Pension Applications Submitted by Widows and Soldiers who Served from the State of Virginia", Library of Virginia (http://ajax.lva.lib.va.us/F/ : viewed online Sept. 22, 2005). Lou R. Dunn pension application dated 9 June 1931 at Glade Spring, Virginia.
  2. [S65] Emily Dunn Bible.
  3. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 179. Dr. William Logan Dunn, 1838-1922.
  4. [S65] Emily Dunn Bible. Emily was William's sister. She recorded his date of birth in her bible as the 15th of Sept 1838.
  5. [S144] Lyon G. Tyler Men of Mark in Virginia, Vol. 3, p. 117-118. This source incorrectly lists his year of birth as 1839.
  6. [S574] Wm L. Dunn household, 1900 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Glade Spring District, ED 108, sheet 2A, dwelling 19, family 22, viewed online at Genealogy.com, April 2003, image 2 of 70. William L. Dunn, 60, b. Sept. 1839 VA, marr 11 years, physician; Lou R., wife, 31, Sept. 1868 VA, marr 11 yrs, Anna Rogers, niece, 18, b. Nov. 1881 Tennessee.
  7. [S1198] Virgil Lewis, "Residents of Washington County," in Virginia and Virginians, p. 717. This source reports the birthdate as 15 Sept. 1844 but he was 11 years old on the 1850 census.
  8. [S144] Lyon G. Tyler Men of Mark in Virginia, Vol. 3, p. 117-118.
  9. [S613] "Dr. William Logan Dunn, Battalion Surgeon", Mosby's Rangers.com (http://www.mosbysrangers.com/ : accessed April 2006).
  10. [S958] James L. Douthat, Civil War Records of Washington Co., Virginia, p. 53.
  11. [S1198] Virgil Lewis, "Residents of Washington County," in Virginia and Virginians, p. 717.; appears to be source of information presented in "Dunn Reunion" manuscript.
  12. [S2247] Confederate Military History Expanded Edition Vol. IV-Virginia, p. 845-7.
  13. [S1354] Mahlon Robinson, An Old Man's Memories, p. 5. Mahlon recited the experience of playing in the cemetery at the age of 10 or 12 when Dr. Dunn and Col. Mosby approached to pay their respects at Gen. Jones's grave. The young boys did not recognize Col. Mosby. Dr. Dunn lined them up and introduced them one by one to the Colonel. Mahlon stated it was an experience he would never forget.
  14. [S6] Thomas Colley, Washington Co. VA Marriages 1853-1880, p. 98. William L. Dunn, 27y, single, born Washington Co. VA, doctor, s/o Samuel & Jane Dunn AND Fannie P. Beattie, 18y, single, b. Washington Co., d/o A. & Eliza Beattie.
  15. [S35] Nanci C. King, Places In Time Vol. II, p. 155.
  16. [S24] Shelby Ireson Edwards, Washington Co. VA Marriages 1881-1890, Vol. 74, p. 12. Dr. Wm L. Dunn, 48y, wid. s/o Dr. Saml & Jane Dunn, physician AND Lauisa Reid, 21, sgl, d/o Benj & Hettie J. Reid; 25 June 1889.
  17. [S2824] Adam Rosenbalm Bible (New York: The American Bible Society, 1844). The third entry on the Marriage Record page reads: Dr. Wm L Dunn and Lucretia Reid was Married June 25, 1889 Reverend U. McClure.
  18. [S574] Wm L. Dunn household, 1900 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Glade Spring District, ED 108, sheet 2A, dwelling 19, family 22, viewed online at Genealogy.com, April 2003, image 2 of 70. William L. Dunn, 60, b. Sept. 1839 VA, marr 11 years, physician; Lou R., wife, 31, Sept. 1868 VA, marr 11 yrs, Anna Rogers, niece, 18, b. Nov. 1881 Tennessee.
  19. [S237] William L. Dunn household, 1910 U.S. cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring Precinct, ED 116, sheet 3A, dwelling 51, family 56, viewed online at Ancestry.com, April 2003, image 5 of 36. William L. Dunn, 66, marr 20 yrs, 2nd marriage, physician; Lucretia, wife, 40, 1st marriage; both b. VA.
  20. [S238] William L. Dunn household, 1920 U.S. cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring, ED 147, sheet 2B, dwelling 50, family 50, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jan. 2003, image 4 of 17. The census enumerator recorded: William L. Dunn 80, b. VA, owns home, physician; Lucretia, wife 49, b. VA.
  21. [S1376] Bible images courtesy of Carolyn Ryburn.
  22. [S1376] Photo courtesy of Carolyn Ryburn.