Miami Union

March 29, 1873 

DUNLAP, JANE - The white horse and rider is unsparing in our midst.  He stops at the doors of our citizens and issues his inexorable demand.  From his pitiless edict there is no appeal or procrastination.  The most loved and valuable citizens of our community are relentlessly snatched from us.  Among the many who have been called, there is perhaps none that is more deeply lamented, and has left a void and pain in as many hearts as the death of "Aunt Jane" or "Mother" Dunlap, as she was familiarly known.  Jane Dunlap was born in Co. Entram, Ireland, about 1803; was married to Wm. Dunlap, in 1827, popularly known in Miami county for the last 40 years, as one of our most vigorous and enterprising citizens.  In 1829, after the birth of their oldest daughter, Wm. Dunlap emigrated to America, opening a place in the primeval woods of Miami county, about three miles west of Troy on the Newton pike, where his old homestead still stands.  Three years afterward, "Aunt Jane" came, and they together started on the journey of life in the New World.  The labor, toil and privation, attending hewing out a home in the forest forty years ago, is well known, and through all the vicissitudes of life, from privation to competency, she shed the same sunshine of good nature, courtesy and charity on all around her.  Aunt Jane Dunlap was an enlightened Christian lady in the fullest acceptation of the term.  The Mother of a large family of children; she recognized the responsibility of her station and discharged its duties as a mother, a wife and a lady in such a way as to leave behind her only universal econiums and praise.  Few people pass through an active life without incurring some one's displeasure and condemnation.  I have never heard her spoken lightly or disrespectfully of.  She was a devoted Christian--a member of the M. E. Church the most of her life.  The encouragement, stay, and support, for 46 years of "Uncle Billy's" life, in losing her he has lost the most of his own life, as she in essential matters formed a great part of it.  She was not only a true mother of her own children, but was a good mother to other peoples' children as I can most gratefully testify.  The motherly kindness I have been the recipient of from her, the example of her life and her advice shall remain enshrined in memory perfectly.  One cannot help desiring the beautiful faith of her religion to die with, that they might revive the association in the next world.  One of the most beautiful thoughts would be to shake hands and be welcomed by Mother Dunlap.  She ought to enjoy the Heaven she believed in.  Tears may not be an evidence of a strong man, but he who could know her well in life, and look on her inanimate form in death, knowing her kind motherly hands were pulseless and inactive evermore in this world to deeds of charity and sympathy; that her heart was numbed to its wonted prodigal affection, might be strong-hearted indeed, not to weep.  Nerve, tissue and brain are stilled.  The end of life has come.  She has gone from sight, but the memory of her good works are imperishable.                      Frank M. Sterrett