Among the farming element of Stephenson County, there are those who have attained financial success through their own irresistible energy and perseverance. Of this number the name of E. R. Mulnix is entitled to a prominent place. He is engaged in the prosecution of his vocation on his fine farm on section 16, Harlem Township, where he has met with good success.
The parents of our subject, Stephen and Phoebe (Robinson) Mulnix, were born in Dutchess County, N.Y. After their marriage they removed to Delaware County, and subsequently to Greene County, where the father died Sept. 2, 1854. His good wife had preceded him to that better home, dying April 3, 1852, and while they were yet residents of Delaware County. Stephen Mulnix was of English and his wife of Scotch descent. Their family of nine children consisted of four sons and five daughters.
E. R. Mulnix was the eighth in order of birth of his parents' children. He first saw light in Delaware County, N. Y., Aug. 23, 1826, and was there reared to manhood. He continued a resident of the parental home until 1852, and then entered upon the duties of a school teacher. His education had been acquired in the district and select schools of his native town, and also at an academy in Charlotteville, Schoharie County. He continued teaching in New York until 1855, when he went to Iowa and was engaged in teaching in that State in the winter, and farming during the summer season. His teaching extended through about fourteen years. After going to the State of Iowa, he still further added to his fund of information by attending the Northwest University in Fayette County one winter.
E. R. Mulnix was married in Fayette County, Iowa, March 27, 1856, to Desdemona, daughter of Martin and Mary S. (Mariner) Dunham. Her father was born in Mercer County, Pa., and her mother in Trumbull County, Ohio. Martin Dunham and wife, soon after their marriage, located in Mercer County, Pa., whence they migrated to Fayette County, Iowa, in the spring of 1852, where they died, the latter Feb. 15, 1860, and the former Jan. 16, 1863. They had four sons and six daughters, of whom Mrs. Mulnix was the eldest. She was born in Mercer County, Jan. 16, 1829. Prior to her marriage she was engaged in teaching, which she followed in Pennsylvania, Illinois and Iowa. Of her union with our subject six children have been born, namely, Mahlon D., Stella, Romana D. , Corintha A., Sarah D. and Lola. Mahlon married Miss Eva Hinds, and they are living in Dakota; Stella died in Harlem Township, when seven years old; Romana is the wife of John J. Ames, of Harlem Township; and Corintha married John Holmes, and they live in Waddams Township; Sarah and Lola are living at home.
In the spring of 1869 Mr. Mulnix came to this State and located in Harlem Township, this county, where he purchased 105 acres of land. He located on this land and made it his home. He has erected good and substantial buildings upon the place, and in addition to the raising of the cereals, he has devoted a great portion of his time to the conducting of a dairy Mr. Mulnix has added to his landed interests in this county until he is now the owner of 220 acres, nearly all of which is under an advanced state of cultivation. He keeps about sixty head of cattle and six head of horses upon his farm, and fattens from forty to 100 head of hogs annually. A view of the place is shown on another page of this work.
While a resident of Iowa, Mr. Mulnix held the offices of Township Clerk, Township Treasurer and Jusice of the Peace. In politics he is a substantial Republican with decided prohibition views. Mr. and Mrs. Mulnix are both members of the Christian Church, and are respected by all in the community in which they reside.
Contributed by Karen Hammer
Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Illinois Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1888 p. 642
