John Dungan
John Dungan, one of the oldest and most respected merchants at London, was born on Bradford Creek, in Range Township. August 3, 1814. He was a son of Jesse Dungan, a native of Pennsylvania, who removed his family to Madison County, Ohio, in September, 1809. He was a farmer through life, and died on the old homestead, in Range Township, August 16, 1823. He married Jane Wilson at Philadelphia, Penn., who bore him eight children. Five of these children are now living. Mrs. Dungan subsequently married Joseph Pancake, a native of Virginia, but residing here. Mr. Pancake died September 15, 1853, and the mother of our subject July 30, 1863. John Dungan remained on the old homestead till sixteen years of age. His educational facilities were those of pioneer days, and rather limited. At sixeen years of age, he went to Midway and there learned the tinner's trade. He remained there a few years, and, on May 1, 1834, married Susan Blue, a native of Ross County, Ohio. On June 5, 1835, he came to London and opened a shop for the manufacture of tinware. He subsequently commenced dealing in stoves, and afterward general hardware. His trade increased slowly but steadily, and for thirty-one years he enjoyed a large and remunerative trade. He had commenced life poor, his only capital being two willing hands, good health and a large stock of tireless energy. At the expiration of his thirty-one years of mercantile life, he had accumulated means sufficient for old age and its attending wants, and sold out to his son, James M. Dungan, and P. C. Cowling, with the intention of retiring from the business cares of life. A desire to assist his other sons, induced him to engage in the furniture trade. He sold out to one of them two years later, and subsequently engaged in his present business. In this latter enterprise he has also met with fair success. Mr. Dungan has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for fifty years—half a century—and is at present a Trustee in that body. He is a memberof the Masonic fraternity and the Republican party. He served two years as member of the Village Council. Ten children have been born to himself and wife, six living—Elmira, wife of Stephen Watson, President of the Madison National Bank of London; James M., engaged in mercantile pursuits at Lima, Ohio, Martin W., dealer in furniture, London; Elizabeth; LeRoy S., with his father in business; and Eliza, wife of Franklin N. Bebee, of Columbus. Mr. Dungan's oldest son and child, Jesse W., enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Thirteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain June 27, 1863. One leg was subsequently amputated, from the effeots of which he died on the following anniversary of the nation's independence. Mrs. Dungan is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. John Duugan has been a Lifelong resifent of Madison County, and an exemplary Christian in all his acts, both in mercantile aud social life. His integrity and sincerity in all business matters has never been questioned, and his influence has ever been asserted for the right. He has always taken an active interest in the welfare of this city, and is an enterprising citizen.
From HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY - W. H. Beers [Chicago, 1883]