EDWARD McCARTNEY GUNN, who bears the distinction of being probably the oldest native-born resident of Henry county, Ohio, and who is now living practically a retired life on his fine two-hundred-acre farm in sections 28 and 21, Napoleon township, was born in Liberty township, this county, on February 10, 1821, being now almost eighty-five years old. He is the son of Charles and Elizabeth (Mattic) Gunn. The paternal grandfather, Elijah Gunn, was a native of Massachusetts and came to Ohio in a very early day. He settled first near Cleveland, later moving to Waterville, and subsequently came to Napoleon township, Henry county, buying what is now the Back farm, in 1830, the place being then owned by a man named Level. He remained there until his death, at the advanced age of ninety-six years. The subject's father came to Ohio with the family and remained with his parents until attaining manhood. He was one of six children, the others being his twin brother Christopher, Elijah, Horace, Minerva and one other. Charles Gunn was married in or near Cleveland, about 1800, and followed farming throughout the remainder of his life. Upon his removal to Henry county he settIed in Damascus, township, where he made his future home. At the time of his arrival here the land was covered with a dense forest growth and the only human occupants of the country were the Indians. Charles and Elizabeth Gunn were the parents of seven children, namely: Mary Ann, Lucian, Louisa, Elliott, Edward M., Eliza and Minerva, all being now deceased excepting the subject of this sketch. The parents died in 1832, their deaths occurring but three weeks apart.
The subject of this sketch lived on the Lutz farm in Liberty township with his parents until their deaths, when he went to live with an uncle, Elijah Gunn, in Flat Rock township, this county, near Girty's Island. He was associated much with the Indians and received his name Edward McCartney by a French-Indian half breed trader. The latter was very wealthy and was a great friend of the subject's father, taking also a great liking for the little pale-face boy. He subsequently went to live with a tribe of Indians in Indiana and married the chief's daughter. Afterwards, when Charles Gunn visited him, the latter pronounced Mrs. McCartney's cooking as good as any he had ever tasted. McCartney inquired if his pale-face namesake was yet living. and upon being answered in the affirmative, stated that he wanted the boy, and that he would educate him in the Indian language and put him in his store, or would give him a large tract of land, and otherwise do well by him. However, the death of the subject's parents the following April prevented any action being taken in the matter. Mr. Gunn remained with his uncle Elijah until June 6, 1847, when he removed to his present farm, where he has resided almost continuously since. He first purchased eighty acres of the place at a canal sale, for which he paid one hundred and sixty dollars, and subsequently made other purchases of adjoining land amounting to two hundred acres. The land was in its original wild state at the time of his purchase, but he at once set to work to clear and improve it and eventually found himself the possessor of one of the best farms in the township, the present condition of the place indicating the owner to be a man of wise discrimination and sound judgment.
On June 6, 1847, Mr. Gunn was united in marriage to Miss Jane Stone, who was born in Onondaga, New York, July 20, 1828, the daughter of Joseph and Polly (Millington) Stone, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of Vermont. Joseph Stone and wife came to Ohio in a very early day and the former followed the vocation of stone cutting. His death occurred from cholera, at the age of sixty-five years, while living at Defiance. His widow then made her home with the subject of this sketch during the following twenty-four years, dying at the age of eighty-six years. She was very industrious even during her later years, and did much spinning and knitting for the subject's children. She was also an expert cheese-maker. She and her husband were the parents of seven children, namely: Norman, Sarah Ann, Marvin, Rhoda, Mary, Samuel and Jane. To Mr. and Mrs. Gunn have been born six children, as follows: (1) Lyman S., who is a carpenter by trade, and makes his home with his father, married Miss Jennie Davis, and they have had four children, Leona, John, Aurelius and Alton, the two last named being deceased; (2) Hiram died of diphtheria at the age of ten years; (3) Mary Louisa is the wife of Fred Dodd, of Waterville, Ohio; (4) Orphy Jane died from diphtheria; (5) Edward F. resides in the west; (6) Frederick Arthur, who is operating the home farm, married Miss Rosa Shoemaker, and they are the parents of three boys, Howard, Ortez and Burdette; Leona, the daughter of Lyman S., married Eugene Bridenbaugh, and they have one child, Johnnie, he being the subject's only great-grandchild. Religiously, the subject and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. Politically Mr. Gunn was formerly a Whig, his first vote having been cast for William Henry Harrison.
When the Republican party came into existence he affiliated with it and ever afterward gave his stanch support. It is worthy of note that on June 6, 1897, Mr. and Mrs. Gunn celebrated the golden anniversary of their marriage, an event not so common in these days as to pass unnoticed. They were the recipients of many sincere congratulations and well wishes from the host of friends, the latter being limited only by their list of acquaintances. They have lived long and honorable lives in this community and enjoy the confidence and warm regard of all who know them.