by Darline Dunagan
I never had the chance to know Papa Joe but I grew up hearing stories about him, most of which I can't remember. He was one of eight children born to John Franklin Dunagan and Francis Samanthra Bryant. His father John fought in the Civil War even though he was opposed to slavery. I know that this caused John much unrest because it is said that he deserted as a result of his beliefs but then returned to war and was captured by the Union in Alabama and held prisoner. Papa Joe was born while his father was away in the war and his father did not lay eyes on his son until he was 6 months old. How hard all that must have been on Frances!
I never had the chance to know Papa Joe but I grew up hearing stories about him, most of which I can't remember. He was one of eight children born to John Franklin Dunagan and Francis Samanthra Bryant. His father John fought in the Civil War even though he was opposed to slavery. I know that this caused John much unrest because it is said that he deserted as a result of his beliefs but then returned to war and was captured by the Union in Alabama and held prisoner. Papa Joe was born while his father was away in the war and his father did not lay eyes on his son until he was 6 months old. How hard all that must have been on Frances!
Papa Joe's grandfather was Joseph Ellis Dunagan, son of Ezekiel Jackson Dunagan. Joseph Ellis was a Georgia State Senator for 23 years and a judge in Hall County. "Old Constitution", as he was nicknamed, was quite a character. He was a strong and respected politician and was very devout in his Christian beliefs. It is said that he couldn't carry a tune but loved singing in church. He would sing loudly and get the whole congregation off key. They oft times would cease to sing and Old Constitution would proudly finish the song alone.
Papa Joe married Georgia Ann Smith and had six children. Georgia Ann died sometime after giving birth to my grandfather Lester Commie Dunagan pictured below.
Papa Joe then married Tinie Patterson. Together they had 14 children with 12 living to adulthood. Tinie had the responsibility of being mother to all 20 of the children. Can you imagine dinner time at the Dunagan house? Elizabeth laughingly said "I think he would have been tired of kids" after so many. But it is said by his children and grandchildren that he was "a very good father." I know that my father always spoke of him with great fondness.
According to his daughter, Elizabeth, Papa Joe was a tall man with curly black hair and beautiful blue eyes. He was quite fond of wearing a black hat and seldom went out without one on his head. I have never seen a picture of Papa Joe that he wasn't sporting a big moustache. "Papa was a quite man" said Elizabeth. Often times when Papa would be deep in thought, he would sit unknowingly shuffling his feet back and forth. I would give a golden penny with diamonds to know those thoughts today.
Papa Joe as a younger man pictured below with his brothers sporting that black hat and big moustache. (top row l-r) Alfred Benton Dunagan, Joseph Alexander Dunagan(Papa Joe) (bottom row l-r) Jeter Andrew Dunagan, John Marion Dunagan.
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