DUNAWAY, CHARLES NEWTON (deceased). - Farming has become one of the most profitable occupations in which man can engage, and a number of the leading agriculturists of Sangamon County who have been engaged in this calling for a number of years have retired from their labors, having gained a sufficient competency to provide for their needs during the remainder of their lives. One who bore his part in the development of the rich farming lands of the locality was the late Charles Newton Dunaway who became an important factor in its business life. He was born in Hendricks County, Ind., November 2, 1838, a son of James and Mariah N. (King) Dunaway, natives of Falmouth, Ky., the former born October 11, 1811, and the latter in 1808. The father was a farmer and brought his family to Mechanicsburg, Ill., October 15, 1851, engaged in a stock business, became very successful, and lived there until his death, in 1872. His wife had died in 1860, and both are interred in Mechanicsburg Cemetery. They had six children: William, who resides in Springfield; Charles N.; Margaret, wife of John B. Stone, of Haddam, Kan.; Louisa, Julius, and Americus, who are deceased.

Charles n. Dunaway was educated in the buffalo Hart Township schools, spending his youth on his parents's farm and learning how to work it and to manage an agricultural estate. Thus it was that when he began working for himself he was able to do so successfully, and continued in that line until 1883, when he began manufacturing harness in Logan County, Ill., where he lived until 1886, then settled in Mechanicsburg and engaged in the same business there for twelve years. Following this he operated a general store at buffalo Hart Grove for three years, then moved to Rochester and resumed farming operations. He continued agricultural life for nine years, but in 1905 came to Mechanicsburg, where he remained until his death. During the Civil War he enlisted in July, 1862, in Company B Eleventh Missouri Volunteer Infantry, at St. Louis, but after serving one year was discharged for disability. In 1860 he voted for his personal friend, Abraham Lincoln, and did so again in 1864, being proud to follow the leadership of that illustrious man. Ever after he was a stanch Republican, but never sought office, although he served faithfully and well as Justice of the Peace in Logan County. He was elected to the same office in Mechanicsburg, but refused to serve, feeling that his four years' occupancy of that office was sufficient.

On May 9, 1888, Mr. Dunaway was united in marriage, in Rochester, with Mary J. Thomas, daughter of Joseph and Rachel (Morris) Thomas. Mrs. Dunaway was born in Ohio, coming to Springfield with her parents in 1852. They were natives of Ohio, where the father was a farmer, later following the same occupation in Sangamon County. Mr. and Mrs. Dunaway had children as follows: Sylvia A. and Florence S., both at home, and one child who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Dunaway belonged to the Christian Church and became well known for their many pious deeds and kindly charities. About three or four years ago Mr. Dunaway became totally blind, as a result of injuries received during the Civil War. Many of the soldiers who escaped shot and shell were laid low by various ailments that have finally resulted in dire consequences. No words can describe their sufferings, but their bravery and patience are appreciated and their deeds recorded on the pages of history. In addition to his pleasant home at Mechanicsburg, Mr. Dunaway owned stock in several financial enterprises, and was one of the substantial men of his locality. His death occurred September 12, 1910, mourned by the entire community.