Judge Thomas Hart Benton DUNNAGAN (DOAS) Sr.
Judge Thomas H. B. Dunnegan, who resides at Bolivar, Mo., was born in Lawrence County, Mo., April 1, 1842. His paternal ancestors were of Irish descent. His great-grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier, after which period, with his family, he emigrated from the State of North Carolina to the State of Tennessee. His grandfather served under Gen. Jackson in the War of 1812, participation in the battle of the Horseshoe Bend. His father, Matthew Dunnegan, was born in Tennessee, came to Missouri with his father in 1832, and to Polk County in 1835. In 1837 he married Priscilla Akard, also a native of Tennessee, whose parents settled in Polk County in 1831. She is still living at Dunnegan Springs, he having died there in August, 1871. The subject of this sketch received what little education was afforded by the old-time district and subscription schools of Southwest Missouri.
Early in 1861 he enrolled in the Polk County Home Guards, and in December of the same year enlisted in Company A, Eighth Missouri State Militia Cavalry, serving until January 27, 1865. On his return from the army he located in Bolivar, where he engaged in merchandising for about a year, when he was appointed to fill an unexpired term as county clerk. For two years he was deputy sheriff and collector, and in 1868 was elected sheriff and collector, holding the office until January, 1873. From 1878 to 1882, he was associate judge of the county court, and in 1888 was again elected to the same position. For about fifteen years he has been a member of the Bolivar School Board. In 1872 he engaged in banking, in which business he has continued. He is also occupied in farming and stock raising.
On April 5, 1866, he married Miss Sallie A. Beggs, daughter of the late Dr. Joseph Beggs, of Clarion County, Penn., by whom he had four sons, three of whom, Willard B., J. Matt. And Carl F., still survive. She died October 8, 1876. Four years later, June 15, 1880, he married Miss Ella A. Carothers, daughter of the late Judge Carothers, of Shelby County, Mo., by whom he has had four daughters, three of whom, Grace B., Bessie A. and Olive L., are living. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a Master Mason, Knight Templar, member of the G.A.R. and A.O.U.W., and last, but not least, a Republican in politics.
Couple had fourth son who died young
Thomas Hart Benton DUNNAGAN (DOAS)
Died at the age of eight.
Judge Thomas Hart Benton DUNNAGAN (DOAS) Sr.
Judge Thomas H. B. Dunnegan, who resides at Bolivar, Mo., was born in Lawrence County, Mo., April 1, 1842. His paternal ancestors were of Irish descent. His great-grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier, after which period, with his family, he emigrated from the State of North Carolina to the State of Tennessee. His grandfather served under Gen. Jackson in the War of 1812, participation in the battle of the Horseshoe Bend. His father, Matthew Dunnegan, was born in Tennessee, came to Missouri with his father in 1832, and to Polk County in 1835. In 1837 he married Priscilla Akard, also a native of Tennessee, whose parents settled in Polk County in 1831. She is still living at Dunnegan Springs, he having died there in August, 1871. The subject of this sketch received what little education was afforded by the old-time district and subscription schools of Southwest Missouri.
Early in 1861 he enrolled in the Polk County Home Guards, and in December of the same year enlisted in Company A, Eighth Missouri State Militia Cavalry, serving until January 27, 1865. On his return from the army he located in Bolivar, where he engaged in merchandising for about a year, when he was appointed to fill an unexpired term as county clerk. For two years he was deputy sheriff and collector, and in 1868 was elected sheriff and collector, holding the office until January, 1873. From 1878 to 1882, he was associate judge of the county court, and in 1888 was again elected to the same position. For about fifteen years he has been a member of the Bolivar School Board. In 1872 he engaged in banking, in which business he has continued. He is also occupied in farming and stock raising.
On April 5, 1866, he married Miss Sallie A. Beggs, daughter of the late Dr. Joseph Beggs, of Clarion County, Penn., by whom he had four sons, three of whom, Willard B., J. Matt. And Carl F., still survive. She died October 8, 1876. Four years later, June 15, 1880, he married Miss Ella A. Carothers, daughter of the late Judge Carothers, of Shelby County, Mo., by whom he has had four daughters, three of whom, Grace B., Bessie A. and Olive L., are living. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a Master Mason, Knight Templar, member of the G.A.R. and A.O.U.W., and last, but not least, a Republican in politics.
Couple had fourth daughter who died young
Came from TN to MO with his father in 1832 and settled in Polk County in 1835.