Sacramento County
Biographies
BENTLEY J. DUNWOODY
BENTLEY J. DUNWOODY.--Popular among the effective agencies for the promotion of human comfort and social life among the working classes is undoubtedly Lafayette Hall, the well appointed and well conducted club managed personally by the proprietor, Bentley J. Dunwoody. He was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, on July 27, 1856, and is the son of Edwin Perry and Rebecca (Buckwalter) Dunwoody, both of whom are now deceased.
Bentley Dunwoody was trained in the public schools of Pennsylvania, and gave five of his best years as a soldier in the United States Army, being a member of Company A, 1st United States Cavalry. He joined the army in Nevada, in 1878, and was in active service all the time, under Capt. Thomas A. McGregor, who retired as a brigadier-general. He participated in many Indian fights, and was wounded once; and as one of a sheriffs staff, he lived for years on the frontier.
In 1912 Mr. Dunwoody located in Sacramento, and became a bookkeeper, and then was manager of Lafayette Hall; and in November, 1914, he bought the establishment. He has since devoted his best energies, a great deal of time and considerable capital to the steady improving of these cosy and cheerful clubrooms, where the poor and hard-working man has a chance to obtain well-cooked, appetizing and nourishing food and to enjoy the best of entertainment.
Mr. Dunwoody was married, on November 24, 1895, to Miss Jessie Bernard, of Boston, by whom he has had three children. Bentley Russell is a graduate of the University of California and now manages his father's business. Donald K. is taking the university law course. Kenneth H. graduated from the high school, and entered the University of California in August, 1923. Mr. Dunwoody is a life member of the Spokane Elks, Lodge No. 228.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Source: Reed, G.
Walter, History of Sacramento County,
California With Biographical Sketches, Page 747. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA.
1923.
© 2007 Jeanne Taylor.