June 13, 2011 01:59PM
John Dunlap, who gave the name Colerain to the township, seems also to have emigrated to Lawrence Co., Illinois where he surveyed and platted the county seat, Lawrenceville in 1821. He was one of the first three county commissioners. It is believed that he died sometime in 1822 or 1823. He had a son, Samuel, who was one of the first Senators in the Illinois legislature. In 1830 John Dunlap's widow, Sarah Goode Dunlap, married Benjamin McCleave. There were probably more children of John and Sarah (Goode) Dunlap, for Benjamin McCleave, Jr. married Ester Dunlap in 1832. Other Dunlaps appear in these early Illinois marriage records. John must have had a son James born in Illinois, James Dunlap served as guardian for Ester (Dunlap) McCleave's minor children after her death in 1854.
There may still be descendants of John Dunlap living in Illinois today. There may be a will or probate file for John Dunlap in the Lawrenceville, Ill. courthouse. Other histories of Ill. may have further information on Senator Samuel Dunlap. It is to be hoped that somewhere exists more stories about this brave band of settlers who founded the settlement called "Dunlap's Station".
(Source: Bicentennial publication: Our Heritage: Colerain Township, Ohio. Colerain Twp. Bicentennial Committee, 1976.)
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