Senator John J. Dunnegan View All Years

JOHN JOSEPH DUNNEGAN

MR. PRESIDENT: Your committee which was appointed to report resolutions commemorating the life, character and service of the late John Joseph Dunnegan, begs leave to submit the following report, and moves its adoption:

John Joseph Dunnegan was born at Mount Nebo, Yadkin county, North Carolina, May 10, 1861. Left an orphan when two years old he was bound out and was subjected to the rigors of poverty during his youth, receiving but little schooling. When twelve years of age he was thrown entirely upon his own resources, working for four dollars per month. In 1883 he removed to Appanoose county, Iowa, and worked as a section hand. In 1884 he went to Milford, Nebraska, where he met and married Miss Ella Stream, and in 1891 removed to Shenandoah, Iowa. He began there digging wells, but soon engaged in plumbing. In 1893 he secured the contract for constructing waterworks for Shenandoah, after which his progress as a public contractor was rapid. In later years he devoted himself to the construction of waterworks, sewers, and paving in many cities and in many states of the Union.

He had a rare faculty for making and keeping friends. He never forgot a friend. He was a most useful citizen to his adopted city, leading in its enterprises and benefactions, and when fortune smiled upon him he was ever ready with a bountiful hand to help those in need. No one will ever know how many thousands of dollars he spent in many ways, including contributions to the education of many poor deserving young people. No one will ever know the amount of money he gave in this way as he never told of his charities.

He was a Democrat in politics and attended as a delegate many national conventions of his party. He was a member of the City Council of Shenandoah and although living in a strong Republican district, he was elected State Senator in 1910 and rendered to his district and state useful service in the Thirty-fourth and Thirty-fifth General Assemblies.

Mr. Dunnegan died at his home in Shenandoah on the 7th day of February, 1929, leaving to mourn his loss his wife and one daughter, Mrs. Jennie Gottsch, wife of Dr. Gottsch of Shenandoah.

Therefore, Be It Resolved, That in the passing of the Honorable John Joseph Dunnegan the state has lost a valuable and honored citizen, a man of strong character and sterling worth, and the Senate of Iowa would tender by this resolution its sympathy to the widow and daughter, who survive.

Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of the e resolutions be printed in the Journal of the Senate as an expression of the life and worth of the deceased, and an engrossed copy hereof be transmitted to the widow and daughter.

DENVER L. WILSON,

F. D. ICKIS,

ARTHUR LEONARD,

Committee.