USA > Illinois > Madison County > Centennial history of Madison County, Illinois, and its people, 1812 to 1912, Volume II > Part 31
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114
Dr. C. B. ROHLAND, who died at his home in Alton, June 29, 1910, was one of the foremost members of his profession in the state and was distinguished for rare qualities of culture and character. Born at Lebanon, Pennsylvania, March 24, 1845, educated in the Lebanon high school, the New Berlin Seminary and Dickin- son College, where he earned the degrees of A. B. and A. M., he prepared for his profes- sion at the Philadelphia Dental College and in 1869 located at Alton, where he practiced his profession for forty years.
Dr. Rohland was the founder and first presi- dent of the Southern Illinois Dental Society, was a life member of the Illinois State Dental Society, and a member of other professional organizations. A man of all-round culture and the best loved member of the profession in the state, his death was a personal loss to hundreds of friends and professional asso- ciates throughout the state. At the May meet- ing of 1911 the State Association paid honor to his career by having read before it an ad- dress, left in unfinished state by the author, on "Why I Became a Dentist."
His professional standing is indicated by the following quotation from the Dental Re- view: "The death of Dr: Rohland has re- moved from dentistry one of its shining lights. This is not merely a stereotyped phrase, but it is literal truth. He was the very highest type of a professional gentleman, cultured, clean, capable and, above all, most lovable. His wit was of the rarest, keenest and withal the most kindly that ever fell from human lips. When- ever Dr. Rohland rose to speak in a dental gathering, he at once commanded the attention of the entire assembly. This was not because he was ever in the least obtrusive-he was by nature the very opposite-but because his well balanced brain, backed by years of study and observation, never failed to grasp the essen- tials of any subject which claimed his atten- tion, and his vocabulary was so clear and in- cisive, his personality so attractive, that it was always a pleasure to hear him."
As a resident of Alton over forty years, Dr. Rohland gave of the riches of his character to
the promotion of movements and ideals which are no less essential to a community than its material improvements. An Alton paper said : "A man of broad culture, of many rare gifts and high attainments, he was one of whom any community would be proud. A citizen of the highest and nobles character, whose influence was ever on the side of right, he had the re- spect and esteem of all." Dr. Rohland was a student his life long, was possessed of wide information in many fields, and had excellent literary ability. He was a talented musician and with his wife he helped make Alton one of the centers of musical culture in the state.
A scholar, a musician, a leader, a cultured gentleman, and as such he left his impress upon all those with whom he was associated in his sixty-five years of life.
Dr. Rohland married Miss Cora Dolbee, daughter of S. R. Dolbee. They had one child, Miss Constance.
In the field of music Mrs. Rohland has ac- complished what few devoted wives and mothers could. She began the study of piano at an early age, Joseph Floss and A. J. Cres- wold being among her teachers. Later she studied with Egmont Froelich of St. Louis and Robert Goldbeck, Henry Robyn and the late William H. Sherwood, and was a pupil of D. Francguon Davies of London in oratorio, and also of Dr. Henry Coward of Sheffield, England. For a number of years she has been a prominent member of the St. Louis Sym- phony Society, and has directed the chorus of the St. Louis Musical Club for sixteen years and made its programs rare events in St. Louis musical history. In Alton her principal work has been as director of the Dominant Ninth Chorus, an organization that largely through her musicianship has won recognition from the best musical critics of the country. She has been identified with this society since it was founded nineteen years ago. Mrs. Rohland is one of the few women who have directed such famous orchestras as the Theodore Thomas Orchestra, and the assured skill and firmness with which she guided the music of many con- certs have won open admiration from the mu- sicians under her baton, which itself is the best commendation of her ability and standing in musical affairs.
E. M. DORSEY. A prominent and wealthy citizen of Alton, Elias M. Dorsey has been a prime mover in the development of the coal regions of Macoupin county, which are among the richest and most important in this part of the state. A man of excellent financial and
.
776
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
executive ability, possessing a clear brain and keen perceptive faculties, he has been exceed- ingly fortunate in his operations, and is now living retired from business pursuits at his pleasant home in Alton. A native of Illinois, he was born on a farm in Cahokia township, Macoupin county, while his father, Benjamin Lawrence Dorsey, and his grandfather, Elias Dorsey, were both born and reared in Henry county, Kentucky. His great-grandfather, Lawrence Dorsey, who was of English and Welsh ancestry, located in what is now Henry county, Kentucky, in carly pioneer days, and on the farm which he redeemed from the wil- derness spent the remainder of his life.
Elias Dorsey grew to manhood on his father's farm in Henry county, Kentucky, and there began his career as a farmer. Subse- quently removing to Jefferson county, Ken- tucky, he bought a plantation on. the Shelby- ville road, eiglit miles from Louisville, and was there successfully engaged in agricultural pur- suits until ready to retire from business. Coming then to Illinois, he spent his last days with his children. dying in Macoupin county, at the advanced age of seventy-five years. He married Martha Booker, a daughter of General Booker of the United States Army. She died when but forty-five years old.
Born in Henry county, Kentucky, in 1819, Benjamin Lawrence Dorsey at the age of nine- teen years came to Illinois to assume posses- sion of a tract of land in Cahokia township, Macoupin county, which his father had pre- viously purchased and had deeded to him. There being no railways in the state at that time, he made the journey across the country with a pair of horses and a wagon, bringing with him his household goods, and his agricult- ural implements, which were very crude com- pared with those now in use. The country roundabout was new and undeveloped. and neighbors were few and far between. Deer, panther, wild turkeys, prairie chickens, and in fact all kinds of game common to this section were plentiful, while Alton was the most con- venient market and depot for supplies. He built first a log cabin on his one hundred and sixty-acre tract of land, and this was ere long replaced by a far more pretentious log house. He subsequently erected a brick house, one of the first in the vicinity, the brick used in its construction having been made on his farm by Frank Lancaster, an Englishman, to whom he paid three hundred dollars of Missouri money for doing the job. He was very successful as an agriculturist, and as his means increased he
invested in other land, acquiring possession of upwards of four thousand acres. He also be- came financially interested in the development of coal fields, and continued a resident of the county until his death, in 1895.
Benjamin Lawrence Dorsey was twice mar- ried. He married first Amelia C. Blair, who was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, a daugh- ter of William and Matilda ( Dorsey) Blair. She died in 1861, Icaving seven children, as follows: Henry Shreve, Frances M., Robert Walker, George Blair, E. M., Benjamin 1 .. and Amelia C. 'He married for his second wife Harriet Blair, a sister of his first wife, and she survived him about a year, passing away in 1896.
Having completed his studies in the public schools, E. M. Dorsey gained a practical knowledge of the various branches of agricult- ure on the home farm. His father subse- quently gave him one hundred and sixty acres of land in Gillespie township, Macoupin county, where he carried on general farming with excellent pecuniary results until 1882. Coming then to Alton, Mr. Dorsey became in- terested in the coal industry, and, with others, developed the rich coal mine in Gillespie town- ship. He subsequently had charge of the af- fairs of the Dorsey Coal Company at Saint Louis, Missouri, until 1888, when he went to Texas to engage in the life insurance business, and was located in Waco for one year. In 1890 Mr. Dorsey returned to Alton to assume control of the coal company of Dorsey & Mann, which was then in trouble. After straightening out its affairs it was incorpo- rated as the Dorsey Fuel Company, of which he became secretary and treasurer, and so con- tinued until he retired in January, 1906. He has since devoted his attention entirely to his personal interests. In 1903 the Dorsey Broth- ers sold forty-five thousand acres of coal lands in Macoupin county to the Superior Coal Com- pany, the deal having been one of great magni- tude and importance.
In 1884 Mr. Dorsey was united in marriage with Lily Ellet, who was born at Bunker Hill, Macoupin county, Illinois, a daughter of Dr. E. C. and Lydia (Little) Ellet, the former of whom was a native of Philadelphia, and the latter of New Jersey. Ellet, the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Dorsey, lived but thirteen brief years. Mr. Dorsey is one of the directors of the Citizens National Bank of Alton.
HARRY FAULKNER, one of the progressive young lawyers of Granite City, is the present city attorney and master in chancery. Though
Harry Faulkner.
777
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
he has been identified with this city but three years, his professional ability has won him a large and successful practice and has brought him into prominence in the citizenship of his community.
Mr. Faulkner is a native of England, having been born in Staffordshire, October 15, 1885. When he was a year old his parents came to the United States, settling first in Jefferson county, Missouri, and later at Kokomo, In- diana. Here he began his education in the public schools, and after the family had moved to Elwood, Indiana, he continued in the high school at that place. His parents finally lo- cated in St. Louis, and he then entered the normal school at Columbia, Missouri, and was graduated in 1906. He studied law in the law department of Washington University at St. Louis, and was graduated and admitted to the bar in 1909. He also attended the St. Louis University for one year.
In the same year he opened his office at Granite City. Mr. O. H. Jones is now his partner, under the firm name of Faulkner & Jones, and they have a large legal and real estate business. Mr. Faulkner was elected city attorney of Granite City in April, 1911. Judge J. M. Bandy of the city court appointed him master in chancery for the term of two years. Mr. Faulkner owns the office building in which his own offices are located.
While in university Mr. Faulkner was one of the honor "W" men of the athletic teams, and was also one of the leading members of the college debating society. His college fraternity was the Phi Delta Phi. He affiliates with the Granite City lodge of Elks, the Loyal Order of Moose, the Woodmen of the World, with the Madison County Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, is a trustee of The Granite City Independent Club, is legal counsel for the Industrial Building & Loan Associa- tion, and member of The Commercial Club of Granite City. He is secretary of the board of the Granite City Christian church. He is a public-spirited citizen, one of those who are most active in promoting the upbuilding and welfare of his home city.
CHARLES E. DORR, M. D., one of the sub- stantial physicians of Madison county, is also of the rising generation of the profession, be- ing born at Worden (where he is engaged in practice) on the 17th of December, 1880. He is a son of Dr. H. R. and Mary F. (Belk) Dorr, his father, a graduate of the St. Louis Medical College, having practiced in Worden for a period of thirty years and become one of
the most widely known of the rural practition- ers in southwestern Illinois. The elder physi- cian died in 1901, the mother being still an honored resident of Worden. The grandfather of the present practitioner, Henry Dorr, was a prosperous farmer and pioneer of Madison county, and other members of the family have also played their parts most honorably in other lines of development.
Dr. and Mrs. H. R. Dorr became the parents of two sons and seven daughters. Of their offspring four daughters are dead. Dora is now the wife of J. T. McGaudrey, cashier of the Wall & Company Bank; Ahma and Grace are single; Walter is also unmarried, and Charles E. is the subject of this sketch.
The Doctor obtained the foundation of his education in the public schools of Worden and at McKendree College, Lebanon, Illinois, spending two years in the institution named. Later he pursued a full professional course at the Marion Sims Medical College, and in the year of his graduation ( 1903) located at Wor- den, where he has since founded a lucrative and select practice. He is an active member of the County and State Medical Societies, and keeps in close touch not only with the leading members of his profession but, through the standard literature of medicine and surgery, with the latest discoveries, investigations and advances of the art and science to which he has devoted his life.
In October, 1906, Dr. Dorr was united in marriage with Miss Lydia Dornseif, daughter of J. W. Dornseif and of a family of long and honorable standing in Worden. One child has been born of this marriage-Vera G., on the 14th of December, 1907.
The Doctor is a Mason of high standing, a member of Staunton Lodge, No. 177, and is a Republican voter and non-politician. Al- through a thorough-read and up-to-date citi- zen, he considers that other matters are of more importance than politics, and in his life- scheme gives them decided preference. He is therefore held in wide and deep esteem by members of his profession and the community in which his honorable labors are prosecuted.
DR. BENJAMIN KIRTLAND HART, who came to Alton in 1832 and who died in this city Au- gust 30, 1864, was a citizen of such character and effective efforts that his name must al- ways be associated with the early history of the city, and his career belongs among the records of the city's foremost men.
He was a native of Albion, New York, born July 2, 1807. He was the son of Deacon Jo-
778
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
seph Hart, and was one of the seven sons in a family of twelve. Up to the age of twenty- one he lived and labored on his father's farm. His school advantages were limited, but his desire for an education was so strong that he gathered pine-knots during the day that he might have light at night to pursue a course of reading. After coming of age he went to Rochester and commenced the study of law, but on the advice of a physician friend he changed his plans and entered the Massachu- setts Medical College in Boston.
He was graduated from that institution in 1832, at the age of twenty-five years. Imme- diately thereafter he set out for the west, in- tending to locate in some southern city, but on reaching Alton found himself in straitened circumstances. At the hotel where he spent the night he met a resident who, on learning that he was a physician, indulged in numerous critical comments at his expense and that of the profession. On his way home this critic fell and broke his leg, and promptly sent for the abused physician to set the injured mem- ber. While attending this patient, other calls came for the services of the young physician, and as a result of these incidents and acci- dents, he determined to locate in Alton.
This was in the year 1832, the year of Al- ton's incorporation as a town. The earlier in- corporation of 1821 seems to have lapsed, as the place had declined, owing to land litiga- tion, and it is said that in 1829, when W. S. Gilman arrived in Alton, he found but one house occupied. But the growth after 1830, the land titles having been adjusted, was rapid, and it was quite a flourishing settlement when the subject of this sketch made it his home. In 1836 Dr. Hart was elected a member of the town board of trustees. The following year he was elected president of the board and served as such until the incorporation of the town as a city.
Although absorbed in the duties of an ex- tended medical practice, he gave much atten- tion to public affairs ; was a member of the city council several terms and was especially active in the cause of education. It was on his mo- tion, in the council. that the first steps were taken for the establishment of a public-school system in Alton.
Said one who knew him intimately: "As a citizen he was public spirited. large minded, decided in his convictions but never progress- ive. He accorded to others the same liberty of thought and action he claimed for himself. As a physician he was skilful and greatly be-
loved. A true sympathizer at the bed of sick- ness, his cheerful greeting and kindly smile served to allay fear and apprehension. The loss of a patient was to him a personal af- fliction."
In the year 1849 he united with the First Presbyterian church and was so faithful and consistent in its work and service that in 1860 he was ordained an eldler and held the office until his death. Of his Christian character said Rev. Dr. Norton, who was his pastor for eighteen years and his friend through life: "Ile exemplified the value of sound religious instruction in youth. His piety was emphati- cally a growth, like the path of the just, which is as a shining light which shineth more and more unto the perfect day."
Sympathy and benevolence were distinguish- ing features of Dr. Hart's character. He re- sponded generously to all calls from worthy objects, but was too modest and unassuming to ever let his good deeds be known to the world. He was a man of refined and cultivated tastes, which he carried into all the relations of life. He was loved and trusted by all, a friend and brother to both rich and poor. He prospered also in business affairs, and, despite the pros- tration of the city for years after the great panic of 1837, and its slow recovery there- from, he secured a competence which added to his influence and gave increased dignity to his profession. During the Civil war, though a man of peace and of opposing politics to the party in power, he loyally sustained the gov- ernment. Probably his most useful years were during the occupation of the city as a military post, a period that increased the de- mands on his professional services and charit- able sympathies. An instance of such service comes to the mind of the writer: A youth who had enlisted in the spring of 1864 called on Dr. Hart for the purpose of being vacci- nated before leaving. When asked for his fee the Doctor replied : "I never charge soldiers anything." This was characteristic.
Dr. Hart died August 30, 1864, after a brief illness. When he felt his end approaching he requested that no eulogy be pronounced at his funeral. But his pastor. Rev. Dr. C. H. Taylor, took for his text on the occasion "The Beloved Physician," and fitted it so closely to Dr. Hart's character that all recognized the likeness. Dr. Hart was one of the strong men among the pioneers of Alton who laid securely the foundations of religion and education, as well as adding greatly to its civic and material prosperity. He not only served well his day
HEwey B. Eaton
779
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
and generation, but his work and influence still abide.
Dr. Hart was married in early life to Miss Sophia E. Nix, a lady of high character, Chris- tian graces and domestic virtues. She survived him a number of years. Three children were born of the union. The son Charles died at the age of ten years. Two daughters sur- vived their parents and lived useful and hon- ored lives in the community which was always their home. Both are now deceased, but in their broad charities and self-sacrificing Chris- tian lives they exemplified and reflected the noble characteristics of their heredity. The elder, Lucy M., married Charles S. Wright, of the Alton National Bank. The younger, Sophia, became the wife of Oliver S. Stowell, now president of the Alton Savings Bank, and one of the city's most influential and valued citizens, as devoted to its moral and material welfare as was his father-in-law, Dr. Hart.
WILLIAM P. EATON. Among the many worthy families of Madison county there is none that is more respected than that of the late William P. Eaton, prominent in intellect- ual and social upbuilding. Mr. Eaton was possessed of a keenly sympathetic nature; his deep knowledge of humanity taught him to look upon the errors of mankind in sorrow rather than in anger. From the time when he was a mere lad he was possessed of great de- termination of purpose, balanced by good, com- mon sense, so that although always very posi- tive in his views he was most charitable towards the opinions of others and did not insist upon their thinking his thoughts in order to be right.
William P. Eaton, farmer and stockman, was born March 27, 1840, in Edwardsville, Illi- nois, and could trace his genealogy back for several hundred years. His paternal grand- parents were Thomas and Sarah (King) Eaton; the grandfather, a native of Pennsyl- vania, was descended from Harry Eaton, whose birth occurred in Wales in 1750 and the family were pioneers in the little Welsh set- tlement in Pennsylvania. The King family trace their ancestry back to 1630; about the year 1774 great-grandfather King came up the Mississippi river from new Orleans, settled in Madison county, where he had received a government grant of twenty-five thousand acres of land, and here his children lived, while their descendants still occupy the old homestead, the family ever regarded as one of the representative county families, whose
members contribute towards the betterment of the community.
Notable among the children of Thomas and Sarah (King) Eaton, was the Hon. H. K., father of William P., and who for, many years was judge of the County Court of Madison county, Illinois. He was one of the most able expounders of the law, while his reputation as a jurist of ability was readily conceded. He married Miss Elizabeth Pomeroy, and to this union eight children were born, three sons and five daughters, viz .- Sarah, Amanda, Mary J., Henry A., Margaret M., Martha A., Thomas S. and William P., the latter the subject of this biography and the fifth in order of birth. In their early life the Eaton children all at- tended the public school at Edwardsville.
William P., on completion of his prelimin- ary schooling, became a student of McKen- dree College, of Lebanon, Illinois, and while he was pursuing his studies at that institution the war cloud, which had long been casting threatening shadows, burst over the land. Wil- liam P. Eaton, with the enthusiasm and zeal characteristic of one of his age enlisted in Company H of the One Hundred and Seven- teenth Regiment of the Illinois Volunteer In- fantry. He was the fifth sergeant in the company, under the command of Colonel Moore, and the regiment participated in nu- merous active engagements. Mr. Eaton had lasting recollections of the Red River cam- paign, when the "boys" ran short of supplies and were forced to subsist for three days on raw corn, which was provided for the horses of one of the cavalry regiments. His expe- riences were numerous and varied, and he could relate many thrilling stories of hair- breadth escapes and perilous adventure. At the close of the war he was honorably dis- charged and returned to his home. He main- tained an active interest in his comrades at arms and manifested his affectionate regard by the prominent part he took in the Grand Army post of Edwardsville. The last writing he ever did was to pen a letter addressed to the members of the post, which letter was read at the last reunion he attended. His main thought was that it was not the men alone who made the sacrifice at the time of the Civil war, but the wives, mothers and sweethearts, who saw their loved ones march forth to battle while they, lonely, remained at home to face the burdens of life and to fulfill its everyday duties.
Mr. Eaton had fitted himself to enter the pedagogical field before the more urgent call
Vol. II-11
780
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
to arms was made, and on his return to the life of a civilian he commenced to teach. He was a born educator and after teaching for several terms he was elected to the office of superintendent of schools in Madison county. This position he ably filled until the year 1870, when he retired from his connection with school work, superintended the management of his farm and attended to the duties which devolved on him by-reason of the various pub- lic offices to which he was elected from time to time. Among the positions of trust which he occupied may be noted the office of super- visor of Hamel township, which was held by him for a number of years, his long service being characterized by the able manner in which he performed the duties involved. Throughout his life he rendered unwavering allegiance to the Republican party, who ap- preciated to the full the stanch support he gave. For a number of years Mr. Eaton was president of the Hamel Fire Insurance Com- pany (the Farmers' Mutual) and the Carpen- ter Wind-Storm Insurance Company, hold- ing both offices at the time of his death. The day after Christmas, 1907, after several severe attacks of heart trouble, this good man's life went out. He was mourned and regretted by a large circle of friends, to whom he had en- deared himself by his many acts of usefulness and kindness. His widow thus bereaved, continues to remain on the old homestead, comforted to some extent by the affectionate care of her sons and held in the highest esteem and respect by the whole community who love her because of her own gracious person- ality and respect her both for herself and be- cause of the name she bears-the name of her revered husband, so long a leader in the county of Madison.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.