George Grundy Dunn

George Grundy Dunn was born in Washington County, Kentucky on December 20, 1812, to Samuel and Elizabeth Grundy Dunn. In 1823, his family moved to Monroe County, Indiana. He completed preparatory studies and attended Indiana Seminary which is now known as Indiana University in Bloomington. Due to a dispute with a professor, Dunn left the school in his third year.[1]

In 1833, Dunn moved to Switzerland County, Indiana to teach school. He later moved to Bedford, Indiana to study law. Dunn was admitted to the bar in 1835 and partnered with Richard W. Thompson to practice law in Bedford. In 1842, he became the prosecuting attorney of Lawrence County, Indiana.[1]

Dunn served in several political offices. He was well-known for his passionate oratory skills.[1] Dunn was elected as a Whig to the Thirtieth Congress (March 4, 1847 – March 3, 1849). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1848. Dunn served in the Indiana Senate from 1850 until 1852, when he resigned to oversee his law practice.[2]

An opponent of slavery, Dunn was drawn back into politics after the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act which expanded slavery.[2] Dunn was elected as an Indiana People's Party candidate to the Thirty-fourth Congress (March 4, 1855 – March 3, 1857). He was in poor health for much of his term and did not seek renomination in 1856.[2]

In 1841, Dunn married Julia Fell.[1] They had four children: Moses Fell Dunn (1842-1915), Samuel Dunn (1844-1845), Julia M Dunn (1845-1845), and George Grundy Dunn (1846-1891).[2]

Dunn died in Bedford, Indiana, on September 4, 1857. He was interred in Green Hill Cemetery in Bedford.[2]

• Archives Online at Indiana University: Dunn family collection, 1851-1974, bulk 1851-1955
• Archives Online at Indiana University: Dunn mss., 1834-1850
• Archives Online at Indiana University: Dunn mss. II, 1831-1864

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress website http://bioguide.congress.gov.