Merced County Biographies

J. M. DUNLAP

Transcribed by Liz Brase

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

J. M. Dunlap, who was prominently connected with the staging interests of 
California in the early days, was born in Fulton, Missouri, in 1836.  His 
boyhood days were passed upon the farm of his father, and his education was 
received at the Westminster College.  In 1859 he struck out in life, and in 
going westward he took a load of supplies to the soldiers then stationed in Salt 
Lake.  Being of a bold and fearless disposition, he secured a position upon the 
pony express, and rode between Carson City and Carson Lake, a distance of 
seventy-five miles, for several months, or until the line was abandoned through 
the depredations of the Piute Indians.  He then drove on the overland stage line 
between Salt Lake and Camp Floyd, later called Fort Crittenden.  In 1860 Mr. 
Dunlap came to California and settled with his brother, T. J. Dunlap, on the 
upper San Joaquin river, where he followed mining about two years.  He then 
returned to the more exciting life of stage-driving, and drove on the old 
telegraph line between Firebaugh and Gilroy until those towns were connected by 
railroad.  He then drove on the Yo Semite stage line from Merced, and later from 
Madera to the valley, continuing the business until 1881.  Mr. Dunlap has always 
been fortunate in his dangerous calling, and through all his meanderings through 
the canons, besides the precipices and steep declivities, he has never met with 
a serious accident. 
            In 1881 he opened a wine room in Madera, which he has since 
continued, following a more quiet life.  He is Past Master of Madera Lodge, No. 
280 F. & A. M.; Past Chancellor of Madera Lodge, No. 134, K. of P., and is a 
member of Trigo Chapter, No. 69, Royal Arch Masons.

Memorial & Biographical History of the Counties of Fresno, Tulare and Kern, 
California - Chicago, 1892, p 492