|
|
ILLINOIS GENEALOGY EXPRESS
A part of Genealogy Express
|
Welcome to
Piatt County,
Illinois
History & Genealogy |
Biographies
Source:
Portrait & Biographical Album
of DeWitt and Piatt Counties, Illinois
Containing Full Page Portraits and Biographical
Sketches
of Prominent and Representative Citizens
of the County
Together with Portraits and Biographies of all
the
Presidents of the United States
and Governors of the State
Publ.
Chicago: Chapman Bros
1891
A
- B -
C -
D -
E -
F -
G -
H -
I -
J -
K -
L -
M -
N -
O -
P -
Q -
R -
S -
T -
U -
V -
W -
X -
Y-
Z
< CLICK HERE
TO RETURN TO 1891 BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX >
< CLICK HERE
TO RETURN TO ALL INDEXES OF BIOGRAPHIES >
James Davies
was born in Shropshire, England, January 1, 1812, and was reared to
manhood in the country of his birth. In his youth he learned
the trade of a tailor, which he followed in England. Feeling
that he could benefit himself by emigrating to a new country, where
land was cheaper and opportunities better, he sailed across the
Atlantic in 1852, and reaching the United States proceeded directly
to Coshocton County, Ohio. There he followed his trade
successfully until the war broke out, when he engaged in farming for
two years.
In 1862 Mr. Davies came to Coles County, Ill., and
renting land, operated as a tiller of the soil there for one and
one-half years. His next move was to Douglas County, where he
again became a renter. For about three years he sojourned in
that county, and we next find him in Piatt County, where he has sine
resided. He is a practical farmer, following the best methods
in the prosecution of his work and being uniformly successful.
His landed property now comprises one hundred and twenty acres of
fine land, improved and embellished with such buildings as are
suggested to the modern farmer. He has become identified with
the best interests of the community, where he is highly esteemed and
regarded as a practical, energetic and wide-awake agriculturist.
A very important event in the life of Mr. Davies was
his union with Ann Phillips, a native of Shropshire, England.
Their marriage was solemnized in England, and of their eight
children a son and a daughter died in that country. Walter was
killed in the battle of Stone River during the Civil War. He
was a member of the Fifty-first Ohio Regiment. Elizabeth is
the wife of John Easton; Diana became the wife of Thomas Blackwell,
of whom see sketch elsewhere in this volume; Ann and Hannah are
experienced teachers, with intellectual attainments of a superior
order and ranking high in their chosen profession. Mrs. Davies
is a consistent member of the Baptist Church, and her benevolent
spirit and kind heart win for her many warm friends.
(Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of DeWitt & Piatt
Counties, Illinois - Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1891) |
William E.
Davies represents the active and
intelligent young farmers of Bement Township, who are doing so much
to carry forward the agricultural interests of Piatt County.
He is a native-born citizen of Illinois - Jacksonville, Morgan
County, the place of his birth and November 17, 1854, the date
thereof. His parents were Thomas N. Davies and Elizabeth
Evans, natives respectively of England and Wales.
Mrs. Davies
died in Piatt County September, 1, 1876. She was the mother of
five children, three sons and two daughters, of whom our subject was
the fourth in order of birth.
Thomas Davies has been a resident of this country for
many years, and for a time was identified with the pioneers of
Morgan County. He is now a resident of Bement Township, where
his farming interests are centered. He and our subject have a
farm which comprises one hundred and sixty acres of choice land,
finely located on section 6. They have here an excellent set
of well-arranged farm buildings and everything about the place is
neat and orderly, giving signs of true thrift and the best of care.
Our subject took an important step in life by which he
has benefited, in his marriage July 3, 1877, to Miss Alice M.
Priestley. Mrs. Davies was born in England January 10, 1860.
She is an excellent housewife and understands well the art of making
a home comfortable and cozy. Mr. and Mrs. Davies have four
living children, namely: Fred E., Mabel G., Bina
and Ray.
Two of their children died in infancy.
Mr. Davies is a public spirited, progressive farmer who
takes a genuine interest in all that concerns his township, and is
zealous in promoting its interests. In politics he stands with
the Republican party. Religiously he and his amiable wife are
among the most active members of the Presbyterian Church, and are
associated with its every good work.
When the family first removed to this county they lived
on section 2, on the farm now owned by E. Davies. The whole
country was taken an almost unbroken prairie. One could drive
to Champaign across the country and not encounter a gate or fence.
The Wabash Railway then extended as far as Decatur, and Monticello
received her supplies and mail for a number of years from Bement by
means of an old stage coach; and the road leading from Bement to
Monticello, now one of the best in the county, was at that time one
of the worst, often requiring six horses to convey the stage, and
sometimes the road was in such a condition that the mail had to be
carried on horseback.
Wild game at that time was abundant. Prairie
chickens, wild ducks, brant and cranes in their season and a few
deer, sometimes as many as seven or eight in a drove. Wolves
were numerous and poultry had to be well housed; some who were not
provided with tight poultry houses kept their chickens under the
dwelling in winter as the only way to protect them from their wild
enemies.
The prairie then contained immense ponds of water or
sloughs which did not go dry for years at a time, and often
contained quite large fish, and from the borders of which farmers
cut the tall slough grass with which to cover their stables and
other outbuildings. All that is now changed. Immense
ditches fed by the drains have changed the ponds to luxuriant
cornfields, in many instances yielding one hundred bushels per acre.
Schoolhouses being the only one between the Willow Branch and
Bement.
The subject of this sketch did not go to school until
nine years of age and attended the first term only seventeen days.
Farmers used to take their grist to Spangler's mill, about four
miles east of Decatur, to be ground. A bushel of corn was
often worth only ten cents, and it took one bushel to get another
one ground. In those days we did not have Pillsbury's Best or
Decatur White Loaf to bake bread from, but each took his own grist
and ate his own flour. But industry and perserverance have
brought this county to a high state of cultivation until it ranks
equal to any in the State in its agriculture and in the excellency
of its schools.
(Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of DeWitt & Piatt
Counties, Illinois - Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1891) |
Prof. Frank V. Dilatush was formerly a well-known
educator in Piatt County, but recently has become connected with the
farming interests of this region and owns a choice farm in
Monticello Township. He was born near Lebonen, Warren County,
Ohio, Aug. 25, 1856, and is a son of George G. Dilatush, who was a
native of New Jersey. His father, VanVickley Dilatush, was
also of New Jersey birth. He removed with a team from the
State of his nativity to Ohio in 1830, was a pioneer farmer of
Warren County and bought timber land near the town of Lebanon,
developing a good farm from the wilderness upon which he lived until
death closed his mortal career.
The father of our subject was but a boy when he removed
to Ohio with his parents and was there reared to agricultural
pursuits. He lived in that county until 1868, removing thence
to Logan County, Ill., where two years of his life were passed.
At the expiration of that time he bought an improved farm in Cerro
Gordo Township, Piatt County, which is still his home. The
maiden name of his wife was Cynthia Jeffries and she was born near
Urbana, Champaign County, Ohio, a daughter of George Jeffries.
She is the mother of the following children: Jarvis J., Elmer
E., Lida, William, Henry and our subject.
Prof. Dilatush was a boy of twelve years when he
accompanied his parents to Logan County, this State, and in his
younger days assisted on the farm and attended the district schools.
He was ambitious to secure a good education, and became a student at
the Cerro Gordo High School, which he attended in the winters of
1877-78-79. He taught in the home district for a while and the
following winter had charge of the Ridge school near Milmine.
In the fall of 1880 he began teaching in the grammar department of
the Monticello school, and taught four years. The following
three years he was Superintendent of the city schools and under his
active and intelligent administration the educational facilities of
the city were advanced and the school system was greatly improved.
In the month of June, 1888, Mr. Dilatush
bought an
interest with M. H. Wilson in the elevator and flouring-mill in
Monticello, and continued in partnership with that gentleman until
October, 1889, when he sold out and bought the farm which he now
occupies. This is a fine farm adjoining the village; its land
is well tilled, and there are many valuable improvements upon it,
including a commodious frame house of a modern style of
architecture, and ample tastefully laid out grounds.
May 25, 1885, Prof. Dilatush and Miss Elvira M. Dighton
were united in marriage. Mrs. Dilatush is a native of
Monticello Township, and a daughter of A. J. Dighton. For her
parental history see sketch of John N. Dighton. Mr. and Mrs. Dilatush
have thus far led a happy and peaceful wedded life which
has brought to them two children, Ruth and Annie.
The Professor is a man of fine mental endowments.
In his political views he is independent and is bound to neither
party, and socially is a member of Fraternal Lodge, No. 58, A. F. &
A. M.
(Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of DeWitt & Piatt
Counties, Illinois - Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1891) |
Benjamin
F. Doyle. Among those who in Bement Township are
successfully tilling the soil and whose prosecution of their calling
reflects credit upon all the farmers of Piatt County, mention should
be made of Benjamin F. Doyle, who is located on section 29. He
has there one hundred and twenty acres of productive land on which
are the usual improvements made by a man of enterprising spirit and
one whose entire attention in a business way is given to
agriculture.
The birth of Mr. Doyle occurred Mar. 21, 1840,
in Madison County, this State, and there he passed his life until
about eighteen years of age. The family then removed to Bunker
Hill, Macoupin County, remaining there until 1862, when they went to
Shelby County. In Dec., 1863, Mr. Doyle enlisted in the
Forty-first Illinois Infantry and was assigned to Company H, in
which he served until the close of the war. He took part in
the Red River expedition and was the Gen. Sherman in the
grand march to the sea, everywhere and always displaying the bravery
and prompt obedience of a true patriot.
When peace was declared and he had been mustered out of
the army Mr. Doyle returned to Shelby County where he was
occupied in farming until 1883. He then removed to Macon
County and made that his home until the spring of 1888, then came to
Piatt County and took up his residence in Bement. He lived in
the village a year, then returned to rural life, taking possession
of the farm he now occupies. He has filled the office of
School Director, serving in both Macon and Shelby Counties and is
still at all times interested in good causes and worthy enterprises.
He belongs to the Knights of Honor and as a matter of course is a
comrade in the Grand Army of the Republic. In politics he is a
Republican, ever ready in a quiet way to advance the interests of
the party, but never making himself conspicuous or seeking for
political honor.
The lady in whose hand rests the household affairs on
the Doyle estate became the wife of our subject Dec. 7, 1867,
the ceremony being performed at the Methodist parsonage by Rev.
Levi C. Pitner, in Decatur, this State. She was born in
Mifflin County, Pa., Jan. 20, 1840, and bore the maiden name of
Caroline Burlew. Mr. and Mrs. Doyle are the parents of two
children: Edward B., born Oct. 17, 1869, and Albert
F., born Sept. 18, 1878, and who died Oct. 19, 1879. Our
subject and his good wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church
and Mr. Doyle has taken an active part in the affairs of the
society since he became identified therewith. Both are held in
good repute, as well they may be, being upright in their lives an
agreeable in their intercourse with mankind.
(Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of DeWitt & Piatt
Counties, Illinois - Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1891) |
John P.
Dresbach. Of the men who are successfully
prosecuting agricultural work in Piatt County it may well be said
that their name is legion. One who is pleasantly located in
Goose Creek Township is he whose name introduces this sketch and who
operates one hundred and forty-five acres of good land, raising all
kinds of stock, besides the crops which are best suited to this
section of country. Mr. Dresbach was for a number of years one
of the workers in handicraft, but finally determined to give his
attention to agriculture, and laying aside the plane and saw he took
up the larger implements that are needed in tilling the soil.
He has a good record as a Union soldier, having served his country
some three years during the trying days of the Civil War, and his
interest in the good of the nation is undisputed.
The grandfather of our subject was John Dresbach, a
native of Germany, who after emigrating to the United States,
settled in Ross County, Ohio, when Indians were numerous in that
region. Some of the members of the family were taken captive
by savages, among them two great-aunts of our subject.
Grandfather Dresbach died in the Buckeye State. His son
Gabriel, the father of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania in
1805, went to Ohio when a small boy, after living there until 1841
came to this State, making his first home in Edgar County. In
1849 he came to Piatt County and in 1863 took his place among the
early settlers of Allen County, Kan. He breathed his last in
1871 strong in the faith of the United Brethren Church, to which his
wife had also belonged. That good lady bore the maiden name of
Maria Piles was born in Ohio in 1805 and died in Edgar County, Ill.,
in 1848. The family comprised nine children, five of whom are
now living.
The subject of this biographical notice was born August
20, 1835, in Ross County, Ohio. His earliest recollections are
of the cabin home built of logs, with puncheon floor and gravel
roof, and of a section of country which was not yet fully developed.
He attended the subscription school, finding the schoolhouses in
Illinois of the same old-fashioned kind as those of his native
State. He began to work for himself in 1856, learning the
trade of a carpenter, which he has followed more or less up to this
time.
When the Civil War began Mr. Dresbach took an earnest
interest in the situation of affairs, and in August, 1862, enlisted
in Company E, One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Infantry. He
took part in the chase after Gen. Morgan along the Ohio River and
after the capture of that notorious raider, went to Kentucky, thence
to Tennessee and aided in several important engagements. Among
these was the siege of Knoxville, Huff's Ferry, Campbell Station,
etc. He was in the Atlanta campaign from its beginning to its
close, after which his corps came back with Gen. Thomas to Nashville
and participated in the battle of Franklin, as well as in
skirmishes.
Mr. Dresbach was one of the fortunate number who
escaped wounds and capture, but was obliged to spend some time in
the hospital at New Albany, Ind., on account of illness. He
was mustered out of the service at Salisbury, N. C., in June, 1865,
and returning to Monticello, re-engaged in work at his trade.
After some years he bought and took possession of his farm, on which
he is pursuing a steady course of industry and reaping the reward
due to his efforts. He is a man of intelligence, socially
inclined, and having a position among the respectable and respected
members of the community. In politics he is a Republican.
His association with the Grand Army of the Republic gives him an
opportunity to live over again some of the scenes of camp life and
renew the friendships of the old days.
In the spring of 1868 Mr. Dresbach set up his own home,
being married on March 25, to Miss Anna Miles, who was born in
Virginia in 1842. This lady is a consistent member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, is an excellent housekeeper and a
devoted mother. She has eight children, to whom the best
advantages are being given, not only in the way of obtaining an
education but in home care and influence. The first -born,
Lena, is now attending Bushnell College, and the younger members of
the band are pursuing their studies in the school nearer home.
The names borne by the family are Lena, Charles, John, Jesse, Irma,
Robert C. and Eva, and to one who crossed the river of death the
name of Arthur had been given.
(Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of DeWitt & Piatt
Counties, Illinois - Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1891) |
John
Dubson. A high standing among the members of the
agricultural class in Piatt County is held by John Dubson, who is
the owner of several hundred acres of good land in Sangamon
Township. He was born in Bucks County, Pa., July 21, 1837, and
is a son of Reuben Dubson, who was born in the same county thirty
years before. The father, who was a farmer, removed to the
Prairie State in 1855 and settled in the township in which the son
is now living. He died in 1872, leaving a widow and eight
children. His widow, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Grisewite,
is now seventy-five years of age. She likewise is a native of
Bucks County, Pa. Martin Dubson, grandfather of our subject,
was born in Scotland, came to America in boyhood and grew to
maturity in New Jersey but passed the later years of his life in the
Keystone State.
Our subject had but meager school privileges, the
little education that he received in his early life being obtained
in the primitive log schoolhouse of that time. Having come to
this State in his youth, he remained an inmate of the parental
household until he was of age, when he began farming for himself on
rented land in the same township. His first purchase of real
estate was made about 1870 and he now has five hundred and forty
acres. His wife owns three hundred and forty acres in her own
name and this also is under his management.
Mrs. Dubson was known in her maidenhood as
Miss Sidney
Kearney, and became the wife of our subject Sept. 29, 1868.
She was born in Fayette County, Ohio, in 1839, and is the daughter
of William and Barbara (Grace) Kearney, natives of Virginia and Ohio
respectively, who took up their residence in Piatt County, Ill., in
1851. Here Mr. Kearney died in 1876 at the age of seventy-one
years and Mrs. Kearney in 1879 at the age of seventy-three.
Mrs. Dubson's paternal grandfather, Thomas Kearney,
came from
Ireland. Our subject and his good wife are the happy parents
of three children - Sherman K., Lizzie B. and Cloyd C.
Mr. Dubson has been a member of the Masonic order for a
quarter of a century. He is not identified with any religious
organization but is a moral man who receives the respect of his
associates; Mrs. Dubson belongs to the Church of God.
Mr. Dubson, exercises the right of suffrage in behalf of the principles
and candidates of Democracy. The defects in his early
education have been overcome by reading and observation to such an
extent that he has classed among the intelligent and well
informed members of the community, and is his home a goodly number
of newspapers gives himself and family a knowledge of what is
transpiring in the world.
(Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of DeWitt & Piatt
Counties, Illinois - Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1891) |
Thomas A. Dunn.
Pleasantly located in the town of Bement is a home supplied with
many comforts and the center from which the influence of a happy
domestic life emanates. It is occupied by the gentleman whose name
introduces these paragraphs, and who has been identified with the
interests of Piatt County for several decades. During
this time he has been variously engaged, but in every calling to
which he has turned his attention, has manifested the qualities of
true manhood and won an honorable name among his fellow men.
The late Thomas Dunn, father of our subject, was born in Louisville,
Ky., in 1814, and came to Moultrie County, Ill., in 1832. He
continued to live there, engaged in farming, until 1859, when he
removed to Bement and embarked in the sale of merchandise. He
pursued a mercantile career several years when failing health
compelled him to relinquish the cares of business. He breathed his
last January 12, 1879, in the triumphs of faith, he having been an
active member of the Christian Church for many years and an Elder
therein. He had taken an active interest in public affairs and in
every way possible aided in the advancement of true civilization.
His widowed companion, formerly Miss Catherine Freeman still
survives. She was born in Tennessee, but was brought to this State
in early childhood, her parents making a home in Moultrie
County, where she grew to womanhood and became a happy wife.
She is the mother of ten children, of whom the subject of this
sketch is the eldest.
The natal day of
Thomas A. Dunn a
August 15, 1844, and his birthplace Moultrie County,
where he passed the days of his boyhood. After the family removed
to Bement he attended the High School and still later pursued his
higher studies for two years in the college at Eureka. He
thus acquired an excellent education and strengthened his scholarly
tastes and powers of mind. After completing his collegiate studies
he was for a short time engaged in mercantile pursuits in Bement,
but sold out to take up his residence in Eureka. There he was
engaged in commercial transactions for eight years, after which he
disposed of his interests there and returning to Piatt County,
turned his attention to farming.
Mr. Dunn
purchased farm
property in Unity Township, residing upon and operating it
until 1888, when, on account of ill health he abandoned the
occupation in which he was reaping such good results and took up his
residence in Bement. He owns valuable real estates here and a farm
of three hundred and twenty acres in Bement Township, from the
rental of which he derives a good income. Having successfully wooed
Dame Fortune, he is enabled to spend his time in efforts to
recuperate his strength and in the enjoyment of social and religious
duties, while free from the wearing anxieties and need for severe
toil that are the lot of some of his fellows.
In Eureka,
September 4, 1867, the rites of wedlock were celebrated between Mr.
Dunn and Miss Jennie Meek, only daughter of Daniel R. and Almira
Meek. Mrs. Dunn was born in Woodford County and at the time of her
marriage was living in Eureka, where her parents are well known.
She is a cultured, refined woman, who is nobly discharging the
duties which lie before her, and exerts an influence for good over
all with whom she comes in contact. The happy union has been blest
by the birth of one daughter, Edith J., who is following the example
and precepts of her parents in living a conscientious and useful
life.
Mr. Dunn has been active in the local affairs wherever
he has lived, and by reason of his mental ability and enterprising
nature has been called upon to serve as Township Clerk, Collector
and Highway Commissioner. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity,
but not otherwise connected with social orders. In 1886 he was the
Democratic candidate for County Treasurer, but was defeated by his
Republican opponent, E. W. Walker. He and his wife and daughter
belong to the Christian Church. In April 1890, he made a trip to
the Rocky Mountains, hoping that the pure air of the hills would aid
in restoring him to his olden vigor. He was absent several months
and derived much benefit from the change of scene and climate.
(Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of DeWitt & Piatt
Counties, Illinois - Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1891) |
NOTES:
* Picture
|