Legislator Details

Image of Thomas B. Dunstan
Image Description:
Portrait from "Legislative souvenir and political history of Michigan" [RepLeg] p.35

Thomas B. Dunstan
AKA:
Number of sessions served 2
Sessions served
Gender: Male
Age at election: 32

Vital Records Information:

Birth
Date: 1/4/1850
City: Camborne, England
County: Cornwall County, England
Country: England
 
Death
Date: 5/23/1902
City: Chicago, IL
County: Cook County, IL
Country: US
Type of Burial:
Burial
Date: 5/26/1902
City: Houghton, MI
County: Houghton County, MI
Country: US
Cemetery: Forest Hills Cemetery

Marital Information:
married Mary A. McDonald, 7/22/1875, in Hancock, MI; children: Robert Peel, James S., Ida May, Thomas, Helen B., Emma H., Tovert P. and George + others [1900 Census shows that Mary had 12 children, 5 of whom were still living in that year]

Number of Children: 12

Background

Religion: Episcopalian
Military Service:
Occupation: lawyer
Race: Caucasian or White

Education:
public schools of the Upper Penisula; graduated from Lawrence University, Appleton, WI, 6/1871; attended University of Michigan Law dept., 1871-72

Biographical Sketch:
Emigrated to America with his parents, James and Emma Dunstan, in 1854. Settled in Ontonagon Co., spring 1854. Admitted to the bar in Keweenaw district 6/1872; elected probated judge and prosecuting attorney 11/1872-6/1879. Moved to Pontiac 7/1879 to summer 1882 then returned to Central Mine in Keweenaw Co. Moved to Hancock, 1883. Elected prosecuting attorney for Houghton Co., 1884. He eventually ceased practicing law and became a businessman. He organized the Adventure Mining Co. and was president of the Victoria Copper Co. He was president of the Ontonagon County bank of Hancock and counsel for the Quincy Mining Co. He was on the board of control for the Michigan College of Mines and a member of the Knights Templar and the Masons.

Notable Facts:
Served in both state chambers. Elected Lt. Governor, 1896. Died in Chicago while receiving medical treatment.

Sessions Served:

Thirty-Fifth Legislature, 1889-1890
Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Asylum for the Criminal Insane, Executive Business , Immigration , Judiciary , Mining School and Mining Interests, Reformatory at Ionia
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Hancock
County of Residence Houghton
District: 32
District Description: Counties of Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton, Isle Royal, Keweenaw and Ontonagon

Date Elected: 11/6/1888
Date Sworn In: 1/2/1889
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed

Maritial Status: Married
Notes:
Thirty-Second Legislature, 1883-1884
Chamber: House
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Internal Improvements, Labor Interests, Mines and Minerals
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Central Mine
County of Residence Keweenaw
District: Ontonagon
District Description: Counties of Ontonagon, Isle Royal, Baraga and Keweenaw

Date Elected: 11/7/1882
Date Sworn In: 1/3/1883
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed

Maritial Status: Married
Notes:

Bibliography:

Chapman (Le) p.340; RepLeg p.35-36, includes portrait; USCen 1880, 1900; MIMar 1867-1925; BiogRec p.28; PolGryd; Bessemer Herald 5/31/1902 p.1; Manual 1889 p.623
View Bibliographical Sources