History of Delaware County Indiana E.B. Helm 1881                                                        JOHN W.DUNGAN                      Benjamin Dungan, the father of this gentleman, was a native of Bucks County, Penn., and was reared a farmer, which occupation he followed during his life. When quite ayoung man, he emigrated to Butler County, Ohio, where he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Mitchell, and soon afterward entered a tract of land in Fayette County, Ind, to which he removed and began the labor of clearing and improving it. In the winter of 1834—35, he settled in Delaware County,purchasing a farm four miles east of Muncie. During his residence in this county, his wife died, leaving ten children to mourn her, namely: Rebecca,Elias, William, Elizabeth, Hester, James, John W., Joseph A., Isaac and Benjamin. His second wife was Elizabeth, widow of his brother, Joseph Dungan,to whom he was married in this county. This union was blessed by one son—Charles. The mother died in this county in 1848, and, in 1855, the father removed to a farm in Clinton Co., Ind, where he died in 1858. His son, John W.,was born June 2, 1824, in Fayette Co., Ind, and received a common-school education at the district schools of that county and Delaware, during brief intervals in the winter. He was subsequently apprenticed to learn the blacksmith’s trade with Thomas S. Neely, of Muncie, and, after completing the period of his apprentice ship, at the age of twenty-three years, entered the public school at Muncie, which he attended for a few months. In 1845, he began work at his trade in Muncie, and was thus engaged until 1856, working hard, and by industry and economy, accumulating a sufficient sum to purchase a home. In October 1847, he was united in marriage with Miss Edith,daughter of William Dragoo, an early settler of this county. In 1859, he was the Republican candidate for the office of Sheriff of Delaware County; was elected by a flattering majority, and took charge of the office in August of the same year, and served four years. In October 1864, he enlisted in a company then being recruited at Muncie,and served until the close of the war. Returning to his borne in 1865, he resumed work at his trade, and, in 1873, accepted a position as clerk in the hardware house of Putnam & Kirby, at Muncie. In this capacity he proved himself a valuable man, often voluntarily doing more than his share of the work, and establishing a character for integrity that has clung to him through all his after life. He continued in the employ of this firm for a period of four years. In 1877, he again became the candidate of the Republican Party forthe office of Sheriff.  Having previously served in this capacity for four years, his candidacy was no experiment,and, in casting their ballots for him the citizens of this county knew that they were selecting a loyal, noble and true man for the position, and one who,by eminent fitness, was entitled to the honor and emoluments of the office. At the ensuing election, they indorsed his former administration by a large majority, and he is still serving in the capacity to which he was then elected.In the discharge of his official duties, he has proved himself an efficient and vigilant officer, and, by his faithful attention to these duties, has established a clear record and an enviable reputation as a public officer. In social and private life, he has endeared himself to all who know him, by his noble traits and the readiness with which he often sacrifices his own convenience to administer to the comfort of others.  It was said of him, by one who knows him well: No better-hearted man ever lived. Since the year 1858, he has been a member of Muncie Lodge,No. 74, I. 0.0. F., in which he is a Past Grand, and, since 1876, has been an active member of Delaware Lodge AF & A. M., in which he has attained to the degree of Master Mason. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as is also his wife. His wedded life was blessed by nine children, two of whom,Willie and Cornelia, are deceased. George E. married Miss Ida Keller, and resides in Muncie; Leonidas, married to Miss Luella Staker, also resides in this city;Walter married Miss Rose Hutchinson, and acts as Deputy for his father; Caroline,Jessie F., Nettie and Harry E. reside at home with their parents.