CAPTAIN FRANK DUNN.
Bio - Pen Pictures
Among the horticulturists of this section must be mentioned the subject of this
sketch, who owns a very productive orchard and vineyard tract in the Braley
District. This tract is on the San Francisco road, at its junction with Reed
Lane, about three-fourths of a mile west of Lawrence. Of the thirty acres which
it
contains, six acres are set with cherry trees, one acre each with pears,
peaches, prunes, and plums, and eighteen acres are devoted to the growing of
vines, which furnish wine grapes of the Cabernet and Walbeck varieties. The
remainder of the property is occupied by the fine residence, surrounded by a
beautiful lawn and substantial out-buildings. As showing the care exercised by
Captain Dunn over his fruit interests, mention may be made of the fact that one
cherry tree of his orchard (age unknown) produced, in 1887, 330 pounds of
marketable fruit, while in the same year several of his vines yielded 30 pounds
each of fine grapes.
Mr. Dunn was born in Nova Scotia in 1833. He is the son of Thomas and Mary
(Dunn) Dunn, natives of Ireland, who emigrated to Nova Scotia with the
historical Selkirk Colony, in 1812. He was reared to a farmer's life, receiving
such education in his boyhood as was furnished in the traditional log
school-house of that early day. In 1843 his father moved his family to Calais,
Maine, and in that seaport the son contracted a love and desire for a seafaring
life, which lasted for more than thirty-six years. When but twelve years of age,
he commenced his life on the rolling deep, by making his first voyage as a
sailor in the schooner Mary Chase, Capt. George Knight commanding. Two years
later he enlisted in the United Stated Navy for service in the Mexican War, as a
boy in the sloop-of-war Saratoga, and shortly afterward was transferred to the
sloop-of-war Portsmouth, where he rapidly rose in his profession, being made
Coxswain of the Commodore's barge. He participated in the bombardment of Vera
Cruz, and his bravery and conscientious discharge of every duty won for him much
favorable comment. At the expiration of his service in the navy, he was highly
complimented by Commodore Francis H. Gregory for his exemplary conduct
throughout the term of his service. Later he entered the Merchant Marine
Service, and, as before, was most successful, being, at the age of nineteen
years, Chief Mate of a large clipper ship.
He was advanced rapidly, and, when he
reached twenty-six years of age, occupied the proud position of Captain of one
of the finest ships of the period. In 1861 the love of change led him to China,
where he entered the employ of the old house of Russell & Co., of Shanghai.
There he remained for two years, and then went into the employ of the Japanese
Government, as commander of steamers in the transport service. He was also in
charge of a Government dispatch boat during the Civil War in Japan, after which
he commanded the Tokio Maru, the pioneer steamer of the "Three Diamond Line,"
connecting the Pacific Mail Steamship Company (mail line), with Shanghai,
through the inland Sea of Japan, in which service he remained until the
assassination of the Japanese Prime Minister, Okubo, who was the founder and
promoter of this line. The death of Okubo caused a change in the administration
of the company. This occurred in 1878, and was the cause of Captain Dunn's
return to the United States. Landing at San Francisco, he visited Santa Clara
County, and, struck with its beauty and fertility, he purchased the property
upon which he now makes his home. But, having spent so many years in change and
adventure, he was not satisfied with the quiet life on a farm, and after about a
year's residence here returned to China, and entered into the employ of the
China Merchants' Steam Navigation Company, engaging in the survey and sounding
of the Hue River, the entrance to the capital of Anam. He was also sent to
Scotland, to superintend the construction of a steamer suitable for the Anam
trade, with which he returned to China. This steamer he commanded until the
advent of the French in the Anamite War, which compelled the withdrawal of the
steamers and the abandonment of the enterprise. The captain then returned to
Santa Clara, and took up a permanent residence upon his estate. An intelligent,
energetic, public-spirited citizen, he is one of the best and most favorably
known men of the section in which he resides. A large experience of affairs, and
a thorough knowledge of men and things gained in travel and residence at home
and abroad, make him a valuable acquisition to the social and secret societies
to which he belongs. He is one of the founders of the Lawrence Social Club,
having served as its President during the first two years of its existence. He
was also one of the promoters of the Horticultural Hall Association of San Jose,
and since its organization has served continuously as its Secretary. He is
connected with the Masonic Lodge, and also with the San Jose Grange, in which he
has served one term as Master.
Pen Pictures From The Garden of the World or Santa Clara County, California, Illustrated. - Edited by H. S. Foote.- Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1888.
Pg. 484-485
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