Prosser, Col. William Farrand. "A History of the Puget Sound Country, Its Resources, Its Commerce and its People." Vol. 2. New York and Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1903. p. 122. DR. JOHN H. DUMON While the physician undoubtedly occupies a foremost place among the learned professions, and the rewards for a successful career in this line are sufficient to attract an ever increasing number of the ambitious youth of the country, still the thorns are numerous among the roses and the successful practitioner has none of the ease which accompanies many of the professions, and no rewards are too great for the years of preparatory study, the perseverance required to get one into a good practice and the actual hardships which are endured in journeying in cold and rain to the patients far and near. Dr. Dumon, who is the pioneer M. D. of Centralia, has not only put himself to the front in his profession, but ranks among the capable business men of the city. The ancestry of this gentleman must be designated as French-American, for his father, John Francis, was born in France and emigrated to Canada, where he was married to Sarah Rice, who came of a family long resident in the new world. coming to Smyrna, Michigan, in 1840, he purchased and improved a farm, making that his home until his death, which occurred when he was sixty-nine years old, in 1884. He had always borne the reputation of an honorable man, and had been a worthy member of the Baptist church. His wife survived him for many years and was seventy-five years old when she died in 1899. There were seven children in this family, four sons and three daughters, five of whom are living; but the only one living in the state of Washington is the Doctor. Although the future of man is uncertain, and the wisest of present-day seers could not have foretold the life of the little infant as he lay in his mother's arms, there was much rejoicing in the home in Smyrna, Michigan, when the baby John came into the world on the 26th of September, 1850. He spent the intervening years of childhood at his father's home and was carefully reared and educated, attending the graded schools and later the high school in Ionia, Michigan. When it became fixed that he should study medicine for a career he went to the State University at Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he graduated in the medical department, March 28, 1877. For the next twelve years he was engaged in practice at Crystal, Montcalm county, Michigan, during which time he was successful and laid the foundation for future work. In 1889 Dr. Dumon came out to Centralia for the purpose of investing in some of the vast timber lands of the vicinity, and so pleased was he with all the environments that he decided to make his permanent location; so it was by almost accident that he became one of the prominent citizens of this city. He bought timber land in both Oregon and in the vicinity of Centralia, and at the present time holds about one thousand four hundred acres. He soon built up a good practice in the city, and has acquired quiet a reputation as a first-class surgeon and physician. But he has also been interested in the growth of his adopted city and has built several houses in the place, being the owner of the building in the center of the business part in which his office is located. Many of his profession have come and gone since he first came to Centralia, but he has remained with his choice and become prosperous. When Mr. Dumon became old enough he cast his first vote for the Republican candidate, General Grant, and has ever since been a zealous supporter of that party. He is a member of the state board of medical examiners, having been appointed by Governor McGraw and reappointed by Governor Rogers. He is also surgeon for the Northern Pacific Railroad in his section. In the same year that he came to Washington he married Miss Alice Jackson, who is Canadian born, her birthplace being Sarnia, Ontario. They have one daughter, whom they have named Alice May. ******************* Submitted to the Washington Biographies Project in August 2008 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.