M.L. Dunnam, Rapides Parish Louisiana
Submitted by: Suzanne Shoemaker

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Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville,  1890

M. L. DUNNAM, 
Planter
Boyce, La. 

 Mr. Dunnam is one of the most successful agriculturists of the parish, and
his career is a fair example of what may be accomplished when a determined
will is brought to bear on any desired object.  He started out in life
seventeen years ago with very little besides about thirty acres of unimproved
land, and is now the owner of 200 acres of excellent land, all under a good
state of cultivation and well improved.  Few men in this section have been
more successful as planters.  He is progressive and thorough in the management
of his farm, and it needs but a glance over his possessions to indicate to the
beholder the quality of farmer that he is.  Mr. Dunnam was born in Rapides
Parish, La., in 1846, and is the son of Francis J. and C. A. (McIntosh) Dunnam
[for further particulars of parents see sketch of M. J. Dunnam].  He received
a common school education in his native parish, and since leaving school has
been deeply interested in agricultural pursuits.  In 1863 he was taken
prisoner by a party of jayhawkers and turned over to the Federal officers,
who sent him to New Orleans, where he was in prison six months.  After
being liberated he enlisted in the Third Louisiana Cavalry, and served on
detached duty until the cessation of hostilities.  His marriage to Miss A.
R. Shaw, daughter of John and M. O. (Laird) Shaw, took place in 1874.  Her
parents were born in Scotland and Mississippi, respectively, and Mr. Shaw
is now farming in Rapides Parish.  Both Mr. and Mrs. Dunnam are members in
good standing in the Methodist Church.  They are the parents of seven
children--two sons and five daughters.