Transcribed by Mary Ann Kaylor
Page 1197
DUNN, IVAN STEPHEN, publisher of the "Divernon News", and one of the representative newspaper men of Sangamon County, is a public spirited citizen of Divernon, who has borne an important part in shaping public opinion and supporting the candidates of the Republican party. He was born in Prairie du Sac Wis., April l8, 1869, a son of Thaddeus K. and Sarah Ann (Bennett) Dunn. The father was also a publisher, so that the son inherits his literary aspirations. Thaddeus K. Dunn and his wife were of Scotch descent, born in Groton, Vt., whence they moved to Wisconsin in the fifties, and were married there. They had eight children. Early in life Thaddeus K. Dunn was a well digger, then a farm hand, later a high school principal, and finally was sent to the Wisconsin State Assembly. He became Grand Master of the Wisconsin Odd Fellows, Grand Master Workman of the A.O.U.W., of that State, and publisher of the "Elroy Tribune."
When Ivan Stephen Dunn was only ten years old he entered his father's office at Wonewoc as a compositor, and at the age of fourteen years entered the high school there, graduating there from at the age of fifteen years. Removal was then made to Elroy, Wis., where he worked as compositor, becoming editor and manager when only seventeen years old. In 1888 he went to Madison and worked as a compositor for a short time, going from there to Eau Claire, Wis., where he became foreman on the "Daily Free Press", and in 1890 accepted the same position with the La Cross "Daily Republican and Leader." During 1892-97 he was the publisher of the "Elroy Tribune," and from 1897 to 1901 published the "Warren Index." He then became manager of the Appleton Printing Company, continuing thus until 1904, when he began publishing the "Divernon News," since which time he has been connected with that organ.
On February 7, 1888, Mr. Dunn was married in Elroy, Wis., to Maude Elizabeth Tramblie, daughter of Phillip and Anna (Andrus) Tramblie. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Dunn are: Irene, born August 23, 1889; Thaddeus Philip, September 20, 1893; Paul McKinley, November 4, 1896, and Karl Tramblie, September 28, 1902. Mr. Dunn has always been a Republican, but aside from serving as Clerk in the State Senate in Wisconsin, during 1897 and 1899, he has not held any office connected with politics. Very important fraternally, he is a Modern Woodman of America, serving as Clerk in 1907-08, and is now Captain of the Foresters and a Trustee. He was a delegate to the Head Camp, M.W.A., which was convened in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1911. He belongs to the I.O.O.F., of which he is Past Grand, Past Grand Representative and Financial Secretary at present. The Presbyterian Church holds his membership, and he is teacher of a boys' class, and is President of the Brotherhood. Mr. Dunn owns his home at Divernon and the Divernon News office, valued at $3,000. His success in life has come to him because of unremitting industry and untiring ambition that urged him onward. There are few men who commenced their business career at ten years age, as did Mr. Dunn, but then not all have reached his present position before being much more than out of the forties. He is an energetic, aggressive man, who knows how to make the most of opportunities, and his paper is a bright snappy organ and one which has a large following throughout Sangamon and surrounding counties.