[p. 425] general merchant at Mt. Jackson, has been engaged in his present business since September 7, 1905, when he retired from his farm in North Beaver Township. He was born on the farm he owned in North Beaver Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, about one-half mile south of Mt. Jackson, February 25, 1842, and is a son of John and Ann (Smiley) Dunnan.
The father of Mr. Dunnan was born in County Down, Ireland, the only child of his parents. He came to America when young, and for a time lived in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and then came to North Beaver Township, which at that time was a part of Beaver County. After reaching here he married Ann Smiley, who was born on a farm, two miles from Wurtemburg, on the New Castle road, and was a daughter of a Scotch pioneer named Hugh Smiley. John Dunnan acquired a farm on which there was a log house and in a part of it a Mr. Henry, also an Irishman, conducted a store for a time. Both John Dunnan and wife died on this farm. They had seven children, namely: David, who died in young manhood; James, who died in Iowa, in 1905; Samuel, who lives at New Lisbon, Ohio; Robert, who died at Harrison's Landing, Va., during the Civil War, being in Battery B, First Pennsylvania Light Artillery; Martha; Hugh, who lives in Illinois; John H., who died in boyhood and John, who was the youngest born. John Dunnan was reared on the home farm. He was but little over eighteen years of age when, March 26, 1861, he enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Cooper's Battery, the famous Battery B, which was recruited at Mt. Jackson and became a part of the First Pennsylvania Light Artillery. In this battery that made a grand record Mr. Dunnan served for three long years, participating in its dangers and its victories and receiving his share of honor. He was honorably discharged June 9, 1864, and returned to his farm. In 1878 Mr. Dunnan was married to Mary Martin, a daughter of Samuel Martin, and they have three surviving children: Bessie L., Ruth and James. Mr. Dunnan sold his farm in 1905 and bought the Woodburn store at Mt. Jackson, and has his son associated with him in business. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Dunnan married Harriet Lusk, who is a daughter of John Lusk. He is a member of the Westfield Presbyterian Church. Fraternally, he is connected with the Knights of Pythias.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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