-------------------------------
biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
RICHARD DUMONT, Abstracter of Titles, at Oskaloosa, and a resident of Mahaska County since 1854, was born in Hackettstown, Warren Co., N. J., July 24, 1820, and is son of John H. and Mary (Gates) Dumont. His parents were also natives of New Jersey, and his father was descended from the French Huguenots, who settled in the United States at the time of the exodus to this country of that persecuted people. Our subject removed to New York City with his parents during his childhood, and in that city he was reared and educated, being instructed by private tutors. He learned the trade of a sash, door and blind maker, which business he continued to follow until 1845, when he went to Elmira, in the same State, and was engaged in the same line of work until 1849. During the last-named year he came West, locating at Kenosha, Wis. A year and a half later we find him again on the move, going this time to Mansfield, Ohio. That city was his home for the following three years. In 1854 Mr. Dumont again turned his face westward, stopping only on reaching Oskaloosa. Soon after his arrival here, in 1854, he engaged in running sash machinery, which he followed with moderate success for some years. In 1859 our subject received the appointment of Deputy Clerk of the bounty and District Courts, and for the following thirty months filled that position with such satisfaction that at the next campaign his name was placed on the ticket for the positioii of County Clerk. On the counting of the ballots after the election he was found to have received a handsome majority. Again, at the expiration of this term, in 1864, he was re-elected, holding the position until Jan. 1, 1867. He was a faithful, accommodating public servant, laboring assiduously for the welfare of the people. Since 1872 Mr. Dumont has served as Secretary of the School Board of Oskaloosa, and holds that position at this writing. In 1877 he engaged with his sons in preparing paints and oils, and was in that business for two years. Since that time he has occupied his time as Abstracter of Titles. Mr. Dumont was married in New York City, May 22, 1842, to Miss Sarah Grafton. She was born in Providence, R. I., but was reared to maturity in New York City. Of her union with our subject six childrenÄfour sons and two daughters Ähave been born, two of the former being deceased. Mary E. is the wife of George R. Lee, of Belle Plaine, this State; Thomas R. married Miss Maggie Hewitt, and they are living in St. Joseph, Mo.; he was a soldier in Co. F, 4th Iowa Vol. Cav., in the late Civil War, and did honorable service for his country; Maria L. is the wife of Judson A. Coffin, and is residing in Oskaloosa; John H. married Mary E. Ebersole, and they are living in Omaha, where be is Secretary and Treasurer of the Omaha Water-Works, and is also interested, in mercantile pursuits; F. Marion died in childhood, and Charles died at the age of eighteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Dumont are members of the First Baptist Church. Politically Mr. Dumont was an old-line Whig, but on the formation of the Republican party in 1856 joined its ranks, and has since continued to vote with it.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy