Harvey Thomas Dunn ranks as one of the greatest teachers of American illustration in the early twentieth century. Known for his bold colors and dramatic style as well as for his championing of the art of the pioneer Midwest, Dunn's tremendous output of illustrative work in periodicals, advertising, and books helped make him one of the most popular and influential artists in the field of American illustration.

Born on 8 March 1884 near Manchester and De Smet, Kingsbury County, Dakota Territory (South Dakota), Harvey Dunn was the second child of three born to homesteaders Thomas and Bersha Dow Dunn. His parents came to Dakota from Wisconsin in 1882 to farm a quarter section of land that Thomas had claimed in 1880. The farm was along Redstone Creek, a tributary of the James River, parallel to a buffalo trail. Because the country was going through a period of economic recession and several memorable...