HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Its Past and present
Chicago: Donnelley, Loyd & Co., Publishers, 1878.
(reprinted by the Jacksonville Area Genealogical and Historical Society, 1975)
DALEY, Patrick, blacksmith and wagon maker, Concord; was born in Tipperary Co., Ireland, March 16, 1837; left Ireland Sept. 1851; landed in New York in Oct. the same year; then went to New Salem, where he learned the trade of blacksmith, and worked nearly three years; moved to Pennsylvania; stayed there till 1855; then went to Auburn, N.Y., and was married June 15, 1856, to Miss Bridget Carey, of Watertown, N.Y.; she was born in Ireland; had five children by her, lost two; those living are: James, born at Skaneateles, N.Y., June 17, 1857; Nora, born at Chapin, this county, Jan. 24, 1859; Michael, born at Bethel, this county, Feb. 2, 1862; his wife died June 9, 1875; married again to Mrs. Rebecca Hamilton, who was born in this county, Oct. 22, 1845; has one child by her, John Carl, born here, Aug. 5, 1877; her maiden name was Rebecca Webb; was married to Noah Hamilton, May 5, 1864; has two children by him, Arthur Hamilton, born Feb. 27, 1865, and Charles Hamilton, born Feb. 12, 1867; Mr. Daley came to Chapin Aug. 1858, engaging in his trade till 1862; enlisting in the 101st Illinois, Co. “E;” at Holly Springs, was captured and paroled, sent to Memphis five days after, on the 31st Dec.; steamed up the Mississippi on the “Creole;” at island No. 34, she struck a sand bar; after forty_eight hours futile attempt, were transferred to steamer Curlew; making Cairo, there they waited till the “Creole” came and arrived at St. Louis; a trip he will always remember; he was exchanged Jan. 1863; rejoined his regiment, skirmishing around in Western Kentucky and Tennessee, till Sept., thence to Louisville and Bridgeport, Ala.; at latter place he was till Oct. 28; was in a fight at Owahatchie; remained in Lookout valley till Nov. 23; was in battle of Mission Ridge; wintered in Bridgeport, Ala. till May, 1864, thence to Chattanooga, and then “going through Georgia;” was in the battles of Rocky Face, Resaca, in the charge on Kennesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, and at the siege of Atlanta; remained in the city a few weeks; was in Savannah six weeks; then on to Richmond; the war closed, he was mustered out in Washington, June 7, 1865; discharged in Springfield, June 25, 1865; went back to Chapin, at his old business, and came here in 1874, carrying on the business at the present time.
DALTON, Clayburn, a farmer in the bounds of Morgan Co. for nearly a quarter of a century; was born in Rockingham Co., North Carolina, July 17, 1807; in early infancy his parents removed to Kentucky, and there engaged in farming. In his 21st year Clayburn Dalton married Miss Pamelia Haynes, daughter of William Haynes, and a sister of Green Haynes, Esq. In 1829, in company with William Haynes, he traversed the broad prairies for Illinois, and on arrival settled in Cass Co., where he rented land, and the following year he removed to Morgan Co., where he settled on the estate now owned by John Dalton; he built a log cabin on this property, and formed the acquaintance of such men as Martin Read and others. His land heavily timbered, he toiled indefatigably for many a year; at the age of 60 he died. To John, with whom the latter years of his life were passed, he willed his property; his wife still survives, living on the farm, where she has been a living witness of many vast changes tending to the general improvement of the county. John was born in Morgan Co. March 27, 1835. Growing to manhood, he obtained a liberal education for the times. Owning 200 acres of land well improved, part of the homestead property, he lives in very comfortable circumstances.
DANIELS, Samuel, Esq., was born in Jacksonville, Dec. 17, 1835, is a son of Verin Daniels, one of the earliest settlers of this county. Samuel was engaged in farming until twenty_two years of age, when he went to Chapin, opening the first grocery store in that place. He continued in that business but a short time, when he turned his attention to railroad contracting, which he followed for three years, after which he was Deputy Sheriff for four years, since which time he has been engaged in different occupations.
DARLEY, Dawson, during his life was a farmer, who resided in the township of Franklin; he was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1817; during the Winter of 1844, he was married to Elizabeth Smith; the same year he emigrated to America, landing at New Orleans; from there, in company with John Lacy, he made his way into the State of Illinois, and settled on Indian Creek, and worked for a man by the name of Emerson, who built the first mill on that stream; he worked two years , and then began farming on his own account; about 1852, Mrs. Darley passed off the stage of life, leaving to her husband’s care four children: Benjamin, George, Robert, and William; in 1858, he was united in marriage to Sarah Dodsworth, daughter of Thomas Dodsworth, a native of England; by this marriage five children, four of whom are living: Ann Isabel, Samuel, Elizabeth, and Edward Lambert; in 1875, Mr. Darley died, and was laid at rest in the Davis cemetery; this sketch is obtained from the second wife of Mr. Darley, who resides in Franklin township.
DAVENPORT, Madison, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 27; P.O. Waverly; was born in Casey County, Kentucky, Nov. 1, 1842; parents of Madison were William and Rebecca, who were natives of Kentucky, and Delaware, respectively; receiving as liberal an education as time and circumstances permitted, living in the South where union and dis-union were equally divided, in his eighteenth year he was compelled alternately to enter the Northern and Southern armies; in 1863 he made his way over the northern lines into Illinois, settling in Morgan County. On May 12, 1866, he married Miss Nancy Cox, a daughter of Corydon and Mary; five children: Wm. W., born Oct. 27, 1866; Lee M., born Aug. 6, 1868; Laure E., born Oct. 20, 1869; Carrie B., born July 24, 1872; ida M., born Feb. 17, 1874. Mrs. Davenport was born June 2, 1849.
DAVENPORT, Merrill C., Sec. 3, P.O. Orleans. In an early day Ephraim and Sallie Davenport emigrated from North Carolina to Kentucky, where Merrill was born, March 7, 1834, and where the father remained during his life; the mother still survives, living with the subject of this sketch; in Kentucky Mr. Davenport passed many years of his life; while there was united in marriage, April 12, 1860, to Elizabeth Ray,*** daughter of Jordon Ray; during the war Mr. Davenport lived in Kentucky, in 1868, located in Morgan County, Illinois, in the vicinity of Orleans, and there for the first four years rented property, but in time became the owner of a farm of 199 acres; eight children: Clahaugh, Samuel, James, Parrella, Charles, George H., Cora, and infant child.
***Note: According to Bob Davenport, Merrill C. Davenport married Elizabeth Ellen Sweeney, daughter of Jordan and Permelia Sweeney. He spent several years researching the Ray name before discovering that her name was Sweeney. Documentation he cites includes: Marriage record from Casey County Kentucky; Merrill’s death certificate; Merrill’s Bible and his mother’s Bible. In addition, the marriage licenses of several of their children, located in Morgan and Macoupin Counties, include the maiden name of Sweeney for their mother.
DAVIDSON, W. F., teacher, Sec. 18, P.O. Prentice; was born in Alabama in 1832; came to this county when an infant; his parents then moved to Macoupin Co., where they remained until he was sixteen years old, when they returned to this county, where he has lived since; married Mary Seymour, Aug. 22, 1859; she was born in this county in 1838; have two children living, Hattie L., Alice G.; and Marcus M., who died May 8, 1871; have been township treasurer.
DAY, Samuel V. farmer and renter, Sec. 33, P.O. Manchester, Scott Co., son of James D. and Marguerette Day, natives of Virginia, was born Dec. 13, 1856, in Scott Co., this State, and moved with his parents to Sec. 32, in 1861. At the age of six years he first viewed the abode of learning _ the district school; having gained a good common school education, ceased his intercourse with books at the age of nineteen years to bestow his young affections on the idol of his life, and was joined in wedlock to Miss Eliza A. Waters, daughter of Charles Waters, the ceremony taking place Dec. 2, 1877, the Rev. M.C. Davenport, of the M.E. Church, officiated. Mr. Day is a young farmer of sterling worth, with a bright future before him.
DEAN, Lewis, farmer, Sec. 28, P.O. Concord; was born in St. Albans, Vt., Sept. 12, 1811, where he was raised and worked on a farm till 1830; in 1830 he left home, and traveled in the States of New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Missouri, and Virginia; he taught school in all, but Ohio; the Fall of 1838 he settled in this county, teaching school that fall and winter for six months; he took an active part in organizing and dividing this township into school districts; in 1844 he was elected township trustee, which office he held for ten years, being elected four times in succession; in 1839 he entered his land, and was married June 2, 1839, to Miss Maria Ratcliff, who was born in Louisa Co., Va., 1868; had four children: Dwight, born March, 1844, who enlisted in the 11th Illinois cavalry, Co. “B,” in Nov. 1861, and died a few months after at Camp Butler; Lucy, Sept. 1842, died Oct. 1, 1862; Susannah, Sept. 1846, now Mrs. Henry Suger, and Josiah, July, 1857; his wife died April 13, 1860; he married again April 3, 1862, to Miss Eleanor Richhart, born in Ohio in 1826; had one child by her, Nathan, born April 29, 1863, died Sept. 1873; the first pork he sold was in Jacksonville, 1841, at $1.75 nett per hundred; the first corn he hauled to Meredosia in 1843, at 12 1/2 cents per bushel; his nearest neighbors then were Henry, John, and Thomas Park, Archibald Mellon, William Moss, Adam Gaddis, and Robert Kershaw, all good men; politically he has always been a democrat.
DEAR, Twydell, farmer and stock_raiser, Sec. 5, P.O. Franklin. He was the youngest of a family of five children; his father was a native of England, who there married Miss Mary Dudhop. In merry England he followed farming. In 1845, accompanied by his wife, he crossed the Atlantic for America; from New York city he came direct to Morgan Co., settling four miles from the present city of Jacksonville, purchasing 210 acres, he became a successful farmer; in 1858 he departed this life, leaving to the care of his wife five children: Marie, Anna, Mary, Euphemia, and Twydell, who heads this sketch, who was born in Morgan Co. Sept. 27, 1852; at 21 he married Miss Mary Seymour, a daughter of Robert Seymour; by this marriage three children: Ida, born April, 1873; Hattie E., born Feb. 17, 1875; Docia, born Feb. 17, 1877
DEATHERAGE, Achilles, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 10, P.O. Waverly, Mr. Deatherage, who is one of the original pioneers of old Morgan, was the youngest of a family of eight children; he was born in Stokes County, North Carolina, Feb. 8, 1799; his earlier years he passed in North Carolina; from this State his parents made their way into Kentucky, where the subject of this notice received all the education that he ever got - three months of schooling; in those days but few were advanced in the pathway of knowledge to a greater extent than Mr. D., in his twenty-fifth year. In 1826, hearing of the fertility of Illinois, set out in the well-known prairie-schooner, and located on the south fork of the Mauvaisterre; during the autumn he raised a crop; in 1827, he moved to within a quarter of a mile from where he now lives; in 1828 he married Miss Melinda Rogers, a native of Kentucky. At this early date wild game abounded; bruin could often be seen taking his morning’s walk, while the stealthy tread of the panther was often heard outside the frontiersman’s log cabin; when the deep snow of 1831, fell, he found it incumbent upon him, to gather corn, the snow, at times, in a moist condition would compel him to wade waist deep. When Black Hawk made war on the whites, he took an active part; when General Gaines and Black Hawk met for a consultation, Mr. D. had a full view of the famous Indian chief; crippled by his horse falling upon him, during this uprising, the incidents transpiring during this war, are vividly impressed on his memory; during the sudden change in the weather, in 1836, he was the keeper of an inn, and relates that the stage coach, filled with passengers, and driven by James White, of this county, arrived at his house, none of whom had wholly escaped the biting north wind. The pioneer, even in his most sanguine moments, never realized the great improvements soon to become manifest in the State, and witnessed for the first time, with astonishment, the rapidly running locomotive, which gave place to the slowly moving ox team. Mr. D., from whom this sketch is obtained, lives on his farm of 200 acres, and is an honored citizen of this county; children: Winston, who married Eliza Watkins; Fannie, who married Rev. Robert Halliday; Newton, who married Drusilla Birch; and Charles R., who married Eliza Austin.
DEATHERAGE, William, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 10, P.O. Waverly. The above named gentleman, now upward of eighty years of age, and one of the first settlers of Morgan County, was a son of George and Millie Deatherage, who were natives of Virginia, who afterward removed to North Carolina, where the subject of this sketch was born, as near as can be ascertained, in 1796. While still young, his parents moved to Kentucky, and there William grew to manhood. In 1826, when but few save the hunter or trapper made their way westward, William Deatheridge, then in the flush of early manhood, set out for Illinois, and making his way into the interior, settled on Apple Creek. At this early stage of the county’s progress Jacksonville contained but little; and to use Mr. Deatherage’s own language, the groceries, provisions and dry goods that the village contained could easily be transported in a common lumber wagon. Returning to the straight line of our narrative, we find that Mr. D. settled on Apple Creek, where he entered land from the government. Some years from the date of his arrival, he married Miss L. S. Rogers, a native of Virginia. He now settled down to the hard task of breaking prairie, raised small grain, and fattened cattle and hogs for the market, which brought but little for the labor expended. He lived year after year a contented life, his neighbors sociable and friendly, though living miles away; when the day’s work drew to a close, and the hard work of the farm was over, the humble yet neat home was always an attractive spot for the bread-winner. As the country became settled up, his children attended the district schools, which had given place to the frontiersman’s cabin. A successful farmer and an upright citizen, after a long life, marked by many privations, he lives in retirement on his farm property, where so many years of his life have been spent. Six children; five living: Panoran, Georgiana, Mary E., Elvira L., and Melinda F. Mr. D. was the second Postmaster on Apple Creek.
DEATON, Augustus, lawyer, office Court house, r W. State e. Westminster, was born Jan. 19, 1856, in Morgan Co. three miles northwest of the city; in the Fall of 1874 he came to the city and studied law with J. N. Brown, was admitted to practice Jan. 1, 1878; does a general claim and collection business in connection with his profession.
DENBY, Thomas, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 21, P.O. Jacksonville; only son of Thomas Denby, of Yorkshire, England; born July 17, 1823, and came to this country with his parents at the age of nine years, landing in New York, and came directly to Morgan County, where he has resided ever since, thus growing up as it were with the county, and one whose interests are closely identified with its growth and improvements; was first married, Jan. 4, 1845, to Martha Sparks, of Glasgow, Scotland; by this union one child was born; George Thomas, March 5, 1846; Mrs. Denby died in childbirth; the son died Jan. 4, 1848; Mr. Denby married again Dec. 17, 1846, to Mary Jane, daughter of Alexander and Mary Wells, of Scott County; born Sept. 16, 1822; this union has been blessed by five children, four of whom are living: William Alexander, born Sept. 19, 1847, died April 16, 1850; Mary E., born Feb. 27, 1849, now Mrs. George B. Ransom, of Morgan County; Sarah E., born Feb. 9, 1852, now Mrs. George W. Killam, of Morgan County; Hannah M., born Oct. 8, 1856, living with her parents; Ann Ella, born April 24, 1860, also living with her parents; the homestead consists of 200 acres of beautifully located and highly improved land.
DENNIS, William P. farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 13, P.O. Franklin, Mr. Dennis was born in the State of Tennessee, where the head of the family followed farming. When William had attained the age of 16 years his parents, to better their own fortune and to give their children a better start in life, emigrated to Illinois in the Autumn of 1849, coming through in the homely rough wagon, and locating first in Morgan Co., in the edge of Waverly precinct, where they have been permanent residents. Wm. P. was a hard worker in his youth, he remains so today - and therein lies the secret of his success in life; obtaining his education in district schools. At 22 he married Miss Eliza Vannot, daughter of Jacob Vannot. The children are named Mary, Newton J., Thomas, Albert, Clement, Ella, Myrtie, Roy and Alms. Mr. D owns 72½ acres.
DETTMER, Henry, cigar store, Meredosia, Ill. Was born in Germany April 6, 1845. Came to Beardstown, Ill., and commenced business in May, 1877. Came to and located in Meredosia in the Fall of 1877, and established the business he is now engaged in. Was married May 12, 1870, to Anna Staleckelbreck. Have two children, Henry and Emma.
DEVORE, J. H., (picture) whose portrait appears in this work, is Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners, was born June 24, 1829, in Fayette County, Ky. He came to this county with his parents in 1831, who located within about six miles south of Jacksonville, near his present farm, (in Tp. 14, R. 10, sec 22) which he purchased in 1850; in 1851 he commenced farming and feeding as well as raising stock, which business he is still engaged in. Mr. D. was nominated for the office of County Commissioner, and elected, in 1873; this was the first election under the new constitution; his term expiring in 1875, he was re-elected. During his entire term of office he has held the chairmanship of the board. Was married May 27, 1851, to Miss Catherine J. VanWinkle, who was born in Wayne County, Ky.; the family consists of three boys, William T., James H., and Robert L., and four girls, Sarah E., Mary J., Annie R., and Lucy M.
DEVORE, U. J. farmer, Sec. 1, P.O. Jacksonville; son of John and Margaret Devore, whose maiden name was Barlow, a native of Virginia, John, her husband, a native of Pennsylvania; as early as 1770, the ancestors of Mr. Devore moved to Kentucky, Fayette County, near Lexington, where the subject of this sketch was born, April 11, 1805; his father owning a farm of 70 acres, the young man was early put to work, from the time he could handle an ax or follow a plow; he received a good education in subscription schools; at twenty_one he became apprenticed to the trade of wagonmaker, and served his time; at twenty_four, 1828, he married Sarah Jane Mallery, of Kentucky; after his marriage he remained in Kentucky two years, and then proceeded to Morgan County, where he settled on a rented farm; in 1832, having amassed $100, he bought 80 acres of land; he now owns a fine property and handsome residence; Mr. D. is a most estimable man, who has many friends, and few, if any, enemies.
DEVORE, William, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 12, P.O. Jacksonville; son of U.J. and Sarah H. Devore, who were among the early settlers of southern Illinois William was born on the old homestead; from his father he inherited a vigorous constitution and energy, that made him a successful business man; in 1869, he married Miss Davenport, a daughter of the Rev. Milton C. Davenport, a Baptist minister of Morgan County; five children: Clara B., Mattie J., Mary, John M., and infant child; Mr Devore is the owner of 30 acres, and manages 175.
DICKENS, J. H., Rev. _ Retired minister, residence nw cor. Clay av. and Superior av. Mr. D. was born in Clarksville, Tenn., in 1810. At the age of nineteen, he married, and the next year _ 1830 _ came to Illinois. He was trained under the code of General Jackson. Had only a common school education, and with few opportunities has made his way in the world. He served in the Black Hawk war, in 1831, and passed through many of the rigors of that campaign. In 1831, he professed religion, and in 1833, was appointed to the pastorate of the Jacksonville M. E. church. The town was then small, and during Mr. Dickens’ pastorate, passed through the scourge of the cholera. He has always been a firm abstainer, strong temperence advocate, and though offered intoxicating drinks, and familiar with them from his infancy, has always firmly opposed them, and by word and deed, upheld the cause of temperance and reform. Raised in a slave State, he imbibed pro_slavery views, but on coming to Illinois, not long after changed his opinions, and by 1838, was a strong abolitionist, of the old style. In 1844, he was made agent for the McKendree College, at Lebanon, which institution he cleared of a heavy debt, and placed it in a good financial basis. Thinking much of the needs for the education of women, and feeling a lack of such advantages, he presented a plan to the Conference of his church, the result of which was the establishment of the present Female College, in Jacksonville, so well known, and of so great influence. He has labored all his life for the good of Church and State, and now, in his 68th year, sees the fruit of his toil. Mr. and Mrs. Dickens have five children, all raised to maturity, married and settled. The three boys all served in the late war, the health of their father forbidding his taking any part therein. His strength is yet good, and like the past, is used for his God, his country, and humanity.
DOBSON S. F. & William, farmers and stock raisers, P.O. Manchester, Scott Co., sons of George Dobson, native of Yorkshire, England. Samuel F. was born near Scarborough, England, March 24, 1846, and during their early boyhood received a practical education on the farm; their education in the rudiments of the English branches was gathered at a pay school, but as mental culture was of no consequence to the successful English farmer, a knowledge in the primary department of learning was sufficient for the wants of life, hence the young Dobsons learned to be model farmers. IN 1855, their parents emigrated from old England, bringing with them their children: S. F., William, Sarah, and John, landing at New York City, thence by rail to Morgan Co., settling in Lynnville. After a residence there of one year, moved to Robert Waddell’s farm in Scott Co., thence to the W. Jones farm; lived there three years; shifted his bark again, anchoring on the McCracken farm, and cultivated the soil for seven years; having had enough of the perplexities attendant to a renter’s life, John, ,William, and Samuel purchased a tract of 360 acres of good land, from James Chilton, in Secs. 23 and 26; one hundred and twenty acres of this farm lays adjoining in Scott County. After a partnership of five years, made a division of the land, S. F. taking 120 acres in Sec. 25; soon a handsome cottage was erected, and John built a fine residence on Sec. 27, Scott Co. By the combined energy of those brothers, they have cleared and brought into cultivation, eighty acres of forest land. Samuel was married twice; his first marriage was celebrated April 2, 1872, to Miss Mary Frances Allen, by Rev. George W. Stevens; have had born to this union: James Alfred, born Feb. 22, 1873; Perry A. born Oct. 10, 1874. Mrs. Dobson’s demise occurred Oct. 16, 1875. Married again Oct. 14, 1876, to Florence Ellen Allen, by Rev. Joel Goodrich, of Jacksonville. Have had one child: Eddie, born Aug. 18, 1877. William Dobson’s life is a duplicate of Samuel’s up to Feb. 15, 1865, when he enlisted in Co. H, 129th Regiment, I. V. I., followed and endured the hardships of his regiment, and was transferred to Co. B, 16th Reg., Ill. Vet. Vols.; was discharged at Camp Butler, Ill., in June, 1865; was married Dec. 5, 1867, to Miss Lucinda Adeline Billings, daughter of Abraham and Nancy Billings, by Rev. Mr. Teller. They have had born to this marriage, four children: Jared, born Oct. 21, 1868; Myrtle, born June 14, 1870; Bernice, born Aug. 21, 1873; Cyphas, born May 20, 1876. Both families are identified with the membership of the United Baptist Church, and well and favorably known.
DOWNTAIN, Azael, post master and wagon maker, Arcadia; born in Mason County, Kentucky, May 19, 1819; first came to Illinois, October, 1837, and settled near Edwardsville, Madison Co.; moved to Missouri, and lived there ten years, and then returned to Kentucky; remained there eight years, when he returned to Missouri for nine years, and came to Morgan Co. Feb. 1, 1865; was married to Lucinda C. Shepard, May 25, 1854; she was born in Kentucky, May 20, 1828; they had three children; Willie is the only one living; he was born Feb. 7, 1867.
DRESBACH, W. O. & Co. (W.O. Dresbach and W. H. Black) dealers in clothing, gents’ furnishing goods, hats, caps, etc., north side Public Square. Mr. Dresbach, the head of this firm, is a son of the Rev. Simon Dresbach, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, where he was born, July 24, 1842. He came to Jacksonville in 1864, and engaged in the above named business in the same store they now occupy. He is a wide_awake business man, and to this fact we can attribute his success in the clothing business. Mr. Black, his partner, was born in Hopkinsville, Christian Co. Kentucky, April 6, 1833, and came to Morgan County two years later, and has until about a year ago, devoted his time to farming, when he connected himself with Mr. D. in the clothing line.
DUBBEL, William, farmer, Sec. 2, P.O. Meredosia. Born in Germany, April 10, 1848. Came to Cass County in 1858, and to this county in 1873. Owns 80 acres, valued at $3,000. Married Ellen Wilker in 1870, who was born in Germany, May 10, 1849. Have two children: Henry, born January 26, 1872, and Frederick, September 26, 1875.
DUER, William R., farmer and stock raiser, P.O. Pisgah. The gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, May 12, 1836; Robert D., the father of William, was then a practicing physician, and the owner of an extensive sugar and cotton plantation; a native of Virginia, where he received a liberal education, who moved to Louisiana in early manhood; for many years he transacted business on a large scale, and as a business man ranked high among the prominent men of the South, becoming very wealthy; at Baton rouge his children were born, and there passed many years of their life, and where his wife died; in 1848, the family, comprising six children, moved to Cincinnati; shortly after his arrival he also passed away, leaving a large estate, which was divided among the children; in 1856, William R. came to Morgan County, and at once turned his attention to the pursuit of agriculture; the first year worked for his board, and came to the conclusion he earned it; rented a farm three years; at the end of that time he bought, in connection with John C. Duer, over 700 acres of prairie and timbered land; for a while they managed this large tract together; it afterward became divided, William retaining over 300 acres; in May 1861, married Miss Mary C. Brown, daughter of Bedford Brown, a native of Kentucky; five children, all are living: Robert, Carrie, Willie, John, and Mamie.
DUNCAN, J. C., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 24, P.O. Waverly. Mr. D. was born in North Carolina, May, 1840. His parents, moving to Virginia, he there remained until he attained his fourteenth year, when he went to Missouri, where his mother died. The father, not altogether pleased with the prospect in Missouri, removed to Virginia. Of a restless, stirring disposition, however, prior to the rebellion he made his way to Illinois, where he lived in the several counties of Morgan, Sangamon and Macoupin. J. C. who heads this sketch, married Mrs. Arminda J. Allis, relict of Richard Allis, and a daughter of Andrew J. Stice, an old pioneer of this county. Mrs. Duncan died April 27, 1878, leaving to the care of her husband five children: Clara A., Ira J., Irwin L., Minnie A., and Chas. W.
DUNLAP, Irvin, sheriff of Morgan County, and ex-officio collector of taxes, office Court House, r Main cor. College av. Was born March 12, 1835, in Champaign County, Ohio. Came to this city in 1840, was elected sheriff of this county in 1874; receiving the nomination a second time, he was re-elected in 1876; was also elected alderman from the first ward for two terms, 1869 and 1870.
DUNLAP, Stephen, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 24, P.O. Jacksonville, son of Stephen Dunlap, who was born in Fleming Co., Kentucky, Feb. 10, 1811, and settled in this county in 1840, where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred Feb. 9, 1877. Mr. Dunlap’s early life was passed in Ohio, where, on May 29, 1834, he married Miss Dicy Runkle; this union was blessed by six children, viz.: Irwin, James, William, Stephen, and Samuel, and a daughter, Mary J., who died Feb. 22, 1864. He served the county as associate judge for eight years; was President of First Nat. Bank, and Director of Chicago & Alton R.R. Co., and a prominent member of Illinois Central Agricultural Association, ever filling his important trusts with honor to himself and the entire satisfaction of all concerned. Judge Dunlap was received into membership of the Baptist Church in 1854, and ever sustained the character of a conscientious Christian man. His widow, who is the same age as the Judge to a day, still lives at the old homestead, familiarly known as the Durham Farm. The subject of this sketch was born June 8, 1845, in Jacksonville, thus having grown up as it were with the county. Married Feb. 7, 1866, to Harriett, daughter of George and Sarah Orear, of Morgan Co., born Sept. 9, 1846. Five children have blessed this union, viz.: Olive G., Feb. 12, 1867; Franklin, March 13, 1869, died Feb. 16, 1873; George A., Feb. 18, 1871; Stephen H., March 9, 1875, and Orear Dec. 6, 1877. Mr. Dunlap has devoted his industries chiefly to agricultural pursuits. Homestead consists of 135 acres, beautifully located and familiarly known as Mineral Spring farm.
DYER, William Anderson, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 9, P.O. Arenzville, Cass Co., born in Grange Co., Tenn., jan. 29, 1807; married March 12, 1833, to Margaret Bridgeman, born May 25, 1808, died Jan. 13, 1878; have seven children living: George Franklin, born Nov. 27, 1833; William R., born Feb. 3, 1836; Rody Ann, born Jan. 20, 1838; Joseph, born April 23, 1841; Ellen Jane, born March 26, 1842; John C., born April 8, 1851; Martin J., born Oct. 11, 1854. Lost three children: Martha, Emeline, Thomas L. Mr. W. A. Dyer left Tennessee when thirty-one years old; came to this county in 1838, with eight dollars and three picayunes in his pocket; he now owns 140 acres of improved land, and good farm house on same. His religion is of the Baptist school. He was the first school director under the free school system, which office he held in Tennessee. His father, William Dyer, was born in Virginia, at the time of the revolutionary war, 1776, and married a Miss Ellen Dyer. His wife’s father, Franklin Bridgeman, fought in the revolutionary war of 1776, and married a Miss Roda May. Has learned four different trades in his life.
DYER, Wm. W. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 8, P.O. Pisgah. Mr. Dyer was born in East Tennessee, January, 1836; parents were natives of Tennessee and there at one time owned a farm. In 1840 they turned their faces to the Far West, making the trip in a covered wagon, or prairie schooner, peculiar to the times. They located in the vicinity of Jacksonville, Morgan County, where in his boyhood the subject of this notice had often turned his horses loose to graze, and where at this early date, the cars were drawn by a mule team. For many years the head of the family rented, but in time became the owner of property. On the homestead, Mr. Dyer grew to manhood. In his 21st year he married Miss Harriet S. McClurg, daughter of Asa McClurg who was a resident of Ohio, where Mrs. Dyer was born. For the past fifteen years Mr. Dyer has become the owner of a valuable farm property; owns 144 acres on which he has erected, lately, a large residence. Possessing the spirit of enterprise which characterized the early pioneer, he has gained many friends in the community where he resides. For many years he has been a veterinary surgeon, skillfully treating many difficult cases of diseases peculiar to horses. Eleven children blessed this union: William, Rebecca, James H., Charles F., Josephine, George W., David E., Mary R., John, Alice, Ida May, deceased.