NEBRASKA STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID
RG6315.AM: Dunning Family
Papers: 1917-1980
Orchard, Antelope County, Neb.: Ministers
Size: 0.3 cu.ft.; 1 box
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
Born on February 4, 1894, at Neola, Iowa, Guy Burton Dunning was the son of Harry and Rosa (Hildebrand) Dunning. He lived with his grandparents in Orchard, Nebraska, for several years. He met his future wife, Anna Sholes, at Orchard, Nebraska. They married on February 4, 1915, and on the advice of their minister, the couple joined the C.R.L. Vawter Evangelistic Party. They toured with the Vawter Party until 1918, when he accepted a call to the ministry of a congregation at Table Rock, Nebraska. Then, for several years, Dunning ministered in Ohio and Indiana before returning to northeast Nebraska in 1929. Between 1919 and 1924, the couple had three children, Dwaine, Guila Marguerite, and Gail.
Dunning established Pibel Bible Camp at Bartlett, Nebraska, in 1939, and in 1945, he led the founding of Nebraska Christian College at Norfolk, Nebraska. He served as the college’s first president until 1948. Upon leaving Nebraska Christian College, he served with the Church of Christ at Cozad, Nebraska. The couple left Cozad in 1958 and went to minister at Sutton, Nebraska. Dunning officially retired in 1970, and the couple moved back to Cozad. Guy B. Dunning died at Cozad, Nebraska, on November 1, 1979.
Gail B. Dunning, son of Guy and Anna (Sholes) Dunning, was born March 22, 1924, at Crown Point, Indiana. He grew up in the Clearwater, Neligh and Wayne, Nebraska, area as his father ministered to various churches in those communities. He married Carol Ann Hewitt in Lincoln, Nebraska, on July 14, 1967. Gail received his Doctorate in Education from the University of Nebraska in 1971. He spent his entire adult life in active Christian ministry, including more than 20 years as a full-time pastor. Later he served as a high school teacher, counselor, and professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Gail B. Dunning died at Wayn, Nebraska, on December 13, 2012.
SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE
This collection consists of one box containing pastoral record books of Guy B. Dunning and Gail B. Dunning. The record books contain information on the church services, weddings and funerals performed by the ministers. Guy Dunnings records date from ca. 1917-1978. Gail Dunnings records date from ca. 1942-1966. Some family photographs are pasted into the back of Guy Dunning’s first record book. Also included in the collection is one folder containing biographical information.
INVENTORY
Box 1
Volume/Folder
- Pastoral journal of Guy B. Dunning, ca. 1918-1954
- Pastoral record book of Guy B. Dunning, ca. 1917-1978
- Pastoral record book of Gail B. Dunning, ca. 1942-1966
- Biographical information
Subject headings:
Dunning, Gail B., 1924-2102
Dunning, Guy Burton, 1894-1979
Dunning family
Baptismal records
Clergy
Funeral rites and ceremonies
Marriage records
Preaching
Ansley (Neb.)
Antelope County (Neb.)
Auburn (Neb.)
Bartlett (Neb.)
Blair (Neb.)
Broken Bow (Neb.)
Cedar County (Neb.)
Clay Center (Neb.)
Clay County (Neb.)
Clearwater (Neb.)
Cozad (Neb.)
Crown Point (Ind.)
Custer County (Neb.)
Dawson County (Neb.)
Deloit (Neb.)
Dixon County (Neb.)
Ewing (Neb.)
Holt County (Neb.)
Lillian (Neb.)
Litchfield (Neb.)
Madison (Neb.)
Madison County (Neb.)
Magnet (Neb.)
Neligh (Neb.)
Nemaha (Neb.)
Nemaha County (Neb.)
Norfolk (Neb.)
Oakdale (Neb.)
Orchard (Neb.)
O’Neill (Neb.)
Pawnee County (Neb.)
Sabine (Ohio)
Sherman County (Neb.)
Sutton (Neb.)
Table Rock (Neb.)
Wakefield (Neb.)
Washington County (Neb.)
Wayne (Neb.)
Wayne County (Neb.)
Wheeler County (Neb.)
Acc. 2026.0062
TMM 10-19-2026
