Sidney Socialite
After reading a recent blog about Sidney shopping memories, my sister reminded me that another stop our Mother would make after shopping in town would be to visit a widow named Katharine Dunson, a wealthy socialite for whom my Mother had worked as a nanny during high school in the 1930’s. Mrs. Dunson lived in the big Victorian home on Main Street south of Holy Angels church pictured below.
She and her husband Huber raised 5 children in this home, the youngest two being twins born in 1937. I recall them as look-a-likes for Hollywood stars David and Ricky Nelson from the Ozzie and Harriet Nelson TV show in the ’50’s.
Huber was the proprietor of Dunson’s Supply, formerly located near or in the building that now houses the Sidney ACE hardware pictured below. The business was growing as evidenced by the following SDN article from 1940. They also had a store in Bellefontaine.
Out of the Past
Aug. 26, 1940
The old brick smoke stack, connected with the factory buildings on North Miami Avenue recently taken over by the Dunson Supply Co., located at the rear of the Dunson property, was dynamited and wrecked late yesterday afternoon. A crowd of approximately 500 were on hand to see the stack fall. It was erected 54 years ago by William Harp, for the late James Anderson who then operated a spoke and wheel works in the adjoining property. The stack was 118 feet high.
Mr. Dunson unfortunately passed away in 1944 at age 47. Katharine was left with the 5 young children ages 7-15 and a business to run. She preservered with her second son Samuel taking over the business some years later. It was at that point in her life that she became active in the Sidney social scene, mainly by supporting various charitable organizations, especially Holy Angels Church and School, where her children had attended. She also traveled extensively, as on-line passenger manifests for several cruise ships to Europe in the 1950’s had her listed.
My sisters loved visiting the Dunson home with Mom. Here’s one of their memories:
“We recall many visits to Mrs. Dunson. Of course, before going, we prayed to St. Christopher for a safe trip to far off Sidney and were instructed to be on our very best behavior. Mom and Katharine would share an afternoon tea in "very pretty cups". She gave Mom bags of old nylons that we sisters would use for pretend dress up. Mom would give us garters to hold them up. We would then put Mom's old dresses on and heels that she wore as bridesmaids. Oh, we had great imaginations! Someone was always getting married. Of course we never concerned ourselves with any groom or groomsmen! Our church was the stairway. LOL”
Dunson Supply is still a registered business in Ohio and operates as Advanced Auto Parts, a NAPA franchise on Michigan St. near the I75 interchange. It is operated by her grandson Michael Dunson.
Michael is the son of Samuel Dunson, who passed away at the early age of 45 in 1976. He was President of Dunson Supply at the time. Katharine died a few years later in 1981 at age 82. Her obituary and tombstone follow. Unfortunately a photo of Katharine could not be found in our family photo albums.
SDN
Mrs. Dunson was a special lady who made a larger-than-life impression on youngsters like me and my siblings at the time. She obviously was a very positive influence on our Mother as well, because Mom always spoke so highly of her and visited Mrs. Dunson regularly until her death.
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