Mark Waitman Dunham

Narrative:

     Mark Waitman Dunham was born on 20 Jun 1891 in Burnetts Creek, Indiana.^7,8,9 He appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Burnettsville, White Co., Indiana, in the household of his parents, Enoch J. Dunham and Edith [surname unknown].⁴
     He moved to Oregon with his parents in 1900.
     On Saturday, 15 Aug 1908, Mark, then 17, went hunting 35 miles east of Roseburg, Oregon, with several others. He left his companions to hunt alone, and when he returned several hours later he was "insane and deluded with the idea that wild beasts were pursuing him" according to press reports. He was brought home and committed to the state insane asylum. According to the account, it was the "logical belief that the lad's insanity is due to severe fright as the result of meeting either a cougar or a bear during his hunt." He apparently recovered from the event.¹⁸
     He appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Roseburg, Douglas Co., Oregon, in the household of his mother.⁶
     Mark married first Ruth Byers about 1913.^10,11,12
     Mark registered for the draft for World War I on 5 Jun 1917, while living at Capitol Hill, Oregon, reporting he was employed as a stenographer for M. L. Klein, at 84 Front St., Portland.¹⁹
     Mark and Ruth appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Columbia, Multnomah Co., Oregon, at Craig Rd., enumerated 14 Jan 1920, reporting that they owned their home, free from mortgage. Their daughter Nan was listed as living with them.¹⁰
     Mark appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Marshfield, Coos Co., Oregon, at 565 N. 10th, enumerated 14 Apr 1930, rooming with Theron A. Kelter and his wife. His brother Russel and his family were listed as living nearby, at 589 N. 10th.¹⁰ His wife and daughter appeared in the census in Portland, Oregon, living at 1481 Siskiyou.²⁰
     Mark married second Ghlynn Clark.¹³
     Mark and Ghlynn appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of East Umpqu, Douglas Co., Oregon, enumerated 22 Apr 1940, reporting that they owned a home valued at $1,500. He reported he was living in Burnetts Creek, Indiana in 1935, and she in Kansas City Kansas.¹³
     Mark registered for the draft for World War II on 27 Apr 1942, while living in Reedsport, Oregon, reporting he was self-employed at Reedsport.¹
     He was assistant sales manager for a lumber company by 1920. By 1930 he was a district representative for a chain of grocery stores. In 1940 his occupation was recorded as a merchant in retail grocery, but then crossed out. He had evidently retired, as he was shown as not employed and not looking for work.^21,22,13
     His wife died on 30 Jul 1951 in Douglas Co., Oregon.²³
     Mark and Alvina Gapsch met while living at Willamette View Manor, a Methodist home near Milwaukie, Oregon. They had both lived there from the time of its opening in Jan 1955. According to newspaper accounts, they caused considerable excitement among fellow residents when they announced their engagement 1 Jun 1956.²⁴
     Mark married third Alvina Louise Gapsch, daughter of Robert Edward Gapsch and Matilda Henriksdotter, on 1 Aug 1956 in Rose City Park Methodist Church, with Dr. Roy A. Fedje officiating.^14,15
     Mark died on 24 Jul 1966 in Portland, Multnomah Co., Oregon, at age 75.^16,17