E. N. DUNLAP. This gentleman is by birth a Virginian, born October 14, 1844, in Ohio county (now in West Virginia). His grandfather, William Dunlap, in an early day came from Westmoreland county, Penn., to Virginia, and settled on an unimproved farm of 137 acres, where he ended his days. He here married Ruth Murray, and their children were Samuel, Mason, William, James, Temperance, Kate, Matilda, and Ruth A. William Dunlap was a prominent Whig in his day, and a zealous member of the Disciple Church. Samuel Dunlap, father of E. N., first saw the light in Ohio county (W. Va.), April 5, 1807, his education being secured at the schools of the neighborhood. He received a thorough practical training in agricultural pursuits on his father's farm; also learned the coopering trade and carried on an extensive shop, which well fitted him for his life vocation. In 1841 he married Ruth E. daughter of Salathiel and Mary (Forman) Curtis, and to this union the following named children were born: Virginia (deceased), E. N., William M., Olivia, Cordelia, Eudora, Matilda, Frank (deceased) and John. In 1785 Salathiel Curtis was born in Ohio county, Va., whither his father had come after marriage, from eastern Virginia, being among the early settlers of that county. At that time that section of the country was wild and unimproved, prowling Indians and fierce animals being yet troublesome, and many a time had the settlers to flee to the nearest blockhouse or fort to escape the attacks of the "Redskins." Salathiel Curtis was one of a large family born to this old pioneer. He received as good an education as could be given at the subscription schools of the neighborhood, and when he was about nineteen years of age he entered Jefferson College, in this county, where he was graduated. He then studied law, and was admitted to the bar of what is now West Virginia, becoming a member of the circuit. For some years he practiced his chosen profession at Wheeling, and then returned to the old homestead farm, where he died. He had married Mary Forman, a native of West Liberty, Ohio Co., W. Va., and the children born to them were Joseph, James, Junius, Nancy (Mrs. Thomas Ray), and Ruth E. (Mrs. Samuel Dunlap). Salathiel Curtis in his political connection was first a Whig, but afterward became a Democrat. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Dunlap took up their residence on a farm in the county of their birth, and there passed the rest of their days. In politics he was first a Whig, afterward a Republican. He died in 1881, his wife in March, 1879.
E. N. Dunlap, the subject proper of this biographical memoir, received his primary education at the common schools of his native township, after which he attended West Liberty (W. Va. ) Academy two sessions. In 1862 he enlisted in Company D, Twelfth Va. V. I., which, during the first year of his service was detailed to do "scout duty" in that State; was then sent to the Shenandoah Valley, and served throughout that campaign. In 1864 the regiment was transferred to the army of the Potomac, with which it was identified until the close of the war, and our subject was present at the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox Court House. In 1863 Mr. Dunlap was taken prisoner at Winchester, Va., under General Milroy, and confined in Libby Prison, from which he was transferred to Belle Isle, where he was paroled and exchanged (in October, same year), after which he rejoined his regiment. Thus it will be seen that he enlisted when he was but seventeen years old, and was discharged from the service before he was twenty-one, the date being June 29, 1865.
After his return home Mr. Dunlap was engaged in the nursery business until 1872, when he commenced farming, continuing till 1876. In March, 1877, he moved to Coon Island, Washington county, where he opened a store for the sale of general merchandise which he carried on till 1890, when he sold out and took a position as traveling salesman, with the firm of Waterhouse Bros., wholesale grocers. In 1891 he was nominated and elected to the office of recorder of Washington county, which he is filling with eminent credit to himself and the utmost satisfaction of his constituents. ("Coon Island" was the name of the postoffice, and "Vienna" the name of the railroad station. Mr. Dunlap was postmaster nine years, and agent for the railroad company thirteen years). He was a member of the school board of Donegal township, six years in succession. He moved to the borough of Washington April 1, 1892.
On October 28, 1866, Mr. Dunlap was married to Margaret, daughter of David Frazier, and children have been born to them as follows: Frank F. (a salesman), Hattie E., Margaret E., Chester O., E. Earl O. and Archie G. A stanch Republican, our subject has always taken an active interest in politics.
Text taken from page 82 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed April 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published April 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]