California Biographies Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from its earliest settlement to the present time. Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905 Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176 JAMES FORNEY DUNGAN, M. D. The success of James Forney Dungan as a physician and surgeon is the result of well-directed effort, sustained by a thorough and earnest prepara- tion for his work. In 1893 he located in Exeter, Tulare county, since which time he has built up an extensive and lucrative practice in the town and vicinity, and even attending patients at a distance of more than fifty miles, having won the confidence of all who have either benefited by or witnessed the value of his efforts. Born in Glade Spring, Va., August 4, 1866, Dr. Dungan is the oldest in a family of eight children, of whom six are now living. His father, T. N. Dungan, was a native of Missouri, whither the grandfather located as a pioneer in the early days of the state, and where his death occurred. In manhood T. N. Dungan went to Virginia, where he became a farmer and stockman at Glade Spring. In 1894 he came to Exeter, Tulare county, and two years later set out the first grove of oranges in this district. He met with gratifying success in his work until his retirement, now making his home in Exeter. His wife, formerly Joanna McKee, was born near Glade Spring, Va., the descendant of an old Virginia family whose sterling traits were inherited from a long line of Scotch ancestry. She died in Exeter, after a useful and earnest life, her religious work being in the Baptist Church, of which she was a devout member, while her husband belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. James Forney Dungan was reared to young manhood in his native place, after receiving a pre- liminary education attending Holston Academy for two years. Deciding to take up the profes- sion of medicine he began the study under Dr. W. L. Dunn, of Glade Spring, with whom he re- mained two years. He then took a course at The Medical College of Virginia, at Richmond, after which he entered Vanderbilt University. From this latter institution he was graduated in 1891 with the degree of M. D., spending a part of the following year at the University of Nash- ville (the old Peabody School), in post-graduate work, from which he also received the degree of M. D. Entering upon the practice of medicine in 1892, he was located first in Watauga Valley, Term., where he remained a year, when he came to California and became a resident of Exeter. At that time there were only three or four buildings on the east side of the Southern Pacific Rail- road tracks, where the doctor located, and since then he has given his best efforts towards the material upbuilding of the town, as well as devoting thought and attention to the increase of his practice. Through Dr. Dungan's influence the first drug store was established in the town by his uncle, J. W. Dungan, and in various ways the business activity has been increased by the doc- tor's efforts. He has also given some time to horticultural pursuits, having a seven-acre orange grove, as well as several orange tracts not yet planted to fruit. He has also manifested his faith in the future growth and prosperity of the town by the purchase of both business and residence properties. Dr. Dungan has been twice married, the first ceremony being performed in Watauga Valley, Tenn., and uniting him with Emma J. Kitzmiller, who was born near Glade Spring, Va., and died in Exeter. She left two children, Lake L. and Mamie Virginia. The doctor's second marriage occurred in Exeter, and united him with Sue Combs, a native of Missouri, and daughter of James Combs, now of Lake county, Cal. She was reared and educated in San Mateo and Lake counties, later graduating from the San Jose Normal, and for ten years taught school in Lake and Tulare counties. They have one son, Marshall. Mrs. Dungan is a member of the Episco- pal Church. Fraternally Dr. Dungan affiliates with the Knights of Pythias and Woodmen of the World, of Exeter. Politically he is a stanch Democrat, active in his efforts to advance the principles he endorses, and at one time served as a member of the county central committee. Along the line of his profession he is examining physician for several of the old line insurance companies represented in Tulare county.