Born in Wake County, North Carolina near Raleigh, Dunn was the son of Grey and Lydia Baucum Dunn. He moved with his father to Limestone County, Alabama, in 1837. He attended the country schools, and was graduated from Jackson College, Columbia, Tennessee, in 1854.
Hailed from Wake County, North Carolina near Raleigh, Dunn was the son of Grey and Lydia Baucum Dunn. He relocated with his father to Limestone County, Alabama, in 1837. He attended rural schools, and was graduated from Jackson College, Columbia, Tennessee, in 1854.