Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 44

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2 > Part 44

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After receiving a good education in German John Dresch was taught his father's trade, but realizing that there were better opportunltles he- yond the ocean, embarked for this country and first located in Pennsylvania. Later he came west, arriving in Springfield in 1861, and from that time on he made the city his home. be- coming sincerely attached to It and Its people. Upon belng naturalized he embraced the dor- trines of Democracy and never left the folds of that party. A devout Catholic, he was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Church, dying firm In Its faith, August 10. 1908. and his re- mains were interred In Calvary Cemetery. Al- though at first In poor circumstances, he soon amassed considerable property. Including the beautiful home at No. 514 West Carpenter street.

While residing In Lancaster. Pa., Mr. Dresch was married February 8, 1857. to Mary Gam- ber. of that city, daughter of Nicholas and Elizabeth Gamher. Mrs. Dresch was only two years of age when her mother died and four years when her father died. The following children were horn to Mr. and Mrs. Dresch : Emma, born June 12, 1858; Frank, born Nov. 6. 1860, married Emma Davis and resides at Barry. Ill .; Elizabeth. born September 12, 1861, wife of Charles McBride, Superintendent of Cal- vary Cemetery ; Rose, born June 29, 1863, wife of

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Frauk Schuchardt, a fireman in the city fire de- partment; Cecil, born June 30, 1867; Henry, born October 22, 1868, married Mary Peters, re- sides in Springfield, and is with The Reisch Brewing Company ; Laura, born December 10, 1871; and Anna, born December 9, 1874, wife of William Bretz, cement contractor. Mrs. Dresch has two brothers and two sisters, all living in Lancaster, Pa. Tbe Dresch family is one that stands well in Springfield, and Mrs. Dresch was left in very comfortable circumstances by her husband. The home has been the family resi- dence for a long time, and Mrs. Dresch has many pleasant memories connected with it.

DRESSER, (Rev.) Charles. (Vol. I, p. 137.)

DRISKELL, Joseph (deceased) .- Many of the men who labored hard to make Sangamon County what it is today bave passed to their last reward, but the effect of their work lives after theni and their families are now reaping the benefit of what they accomplished. One of the sturdy, successful, reliable farmers of this locality was the late Joseph Driskell, born in August, 1858. a son of Joseph and Margaret (Gregory) Driskell. natives of Kentucky, where the father was a farmer, who later came to Il- linois, where his son was born.

The younger Joseph Driskell attended the Martin School in Sangamon County, and worked with his father on the farm until he bought his own farm in the neighborhood of Springfield. There he resided until be retired. moving to Springfield, which was bis home ten years be- fore his demise. He was an excellent farmer and made his property one of the best in the county. A quiet mau, devoted to his home and work, he did not join any fraternal associations, and while a Republican. he did not aspire to office. The First Presbyterian Church of Spring- field held his membership.

On September 12. 1866. occurred the marriage of Mr. Driskell and Miss Jane Curlock, who was born near Breckenridge, Ill. She is a daugh- ter of Henry and Susan Curlock, natives and life-long residents of Sangamon County. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Driskell : John L., born in 1867; Mary Ann, born August 3. 1869; William Henry, born November 11. 1871; Maggie, born August 3, 1874; Lida, born November 11. 1880; Joseph, born July 11, 1883; Grover Cleveland, born October 7. 1882; Jessie, born March 7. 1887, and three who are de- ceased. Mrs. Driskell resides at No. 1125 East Washington Street, Springfield, where she makes a pleasant home for her family. She is a lady widely known and universally respected. having made this city her home for seventeen years.

DROHAN, Edward .- Springfield presents excel- lent opportunities for the prosecution of many lines of business, a fact that is appreciated by many. One of the prosperous business men of the city is Edward Drohan, born in Tazewell

County, Ill., December 18, 1861, a son of Ed- ward and Margaret (Quinlan) Drohan, natives of Ireland. The parents met and were married in the United States. About 1850 they came to Tazewell County, Ill., but after the death of his wife, in 1866, Edward Drohan, Sr. moved to Edina, Mo., and there his death occurred, in October, 1872. He was a farmer and railroad contractor, but had retired from active business at the time of his death. Although a strong Democrat, he never cared for office. He was a member of the Catholic Church and brought up his seven children iu that faith. All of them still survive, Edward Drohan of this bi- ograpby being the sixth in order of birth.

Edward Drohan, Jr., attended school at Lilly Station, Tazewell County, Ill., but when only eighteen years old he began working for farm- ers, thus continuing until he was twenty-two. At that time he made a trip to Texas, and on his return settled in Christian County. His energies found expression in several lines of en- deavor at Taylorsville, Decatur and other places in the vicinity, until 1908, when he came to Springfield, which has since been his place of residence. He there embarked in business and has met with marked success.

On October 31. 1887, Mr. Droban was united in marriage, at Taylorville, Ill., with Catherine Perry, born in Illinois, daughter of Patrick Perry and wife, who are deceased. He was a Democrat and a Catholic. Mrs. Drohan was one of a family of three children born to her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Drobau have three chil- dren : Nellie A., Edward J., and Douald E., all at home. Mr. Drohan belongs to the Catholic Order of Foresters and the B. P. O. E. His religious connections are with St. Joseph's Catholic Church, of Springfield. He is a genial, pleasant man, who makes friends wherever he goes, and is well liked by them.

DUBINSKY, Jack, an enterprising and success- ful clothing merchant of Springfield, Ill., was born in Russia, February 12. 1885, and at tbe age of two years accompanied his parents to the United States. He is a son of Isaac and Rose (Goldwasser) Dubinsky, both natives of Schimsk, Russla, the former born in 1855 and the latter In 1858. The father is now engaged in real estate business in St. Louis. They were parents of ten children.

Jack Dubinsky attended the common and high schools of St. Louis until he was fifteen years old. then began working in the dry goods store of Epstein & Whiser. Six months later he entered the employ of Ferguson McKinrey Dry Goods Company, of St. Louis, and a year later went to work for H. Seligman Jewelry Company, working four years in their estab- lishment and three years on the road as sales- man. after which he married and established himself in business in Springfield. Mr. Du- binsky began his business career as an office boy for three dollars a week, and by diligence and industry worked up to a salary of $1500 a

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year by the time he was twenty years of age. In 1907 he embarked in the clothing business on his own account, starting with a capital of $3,000, and building up a lucrative trade. He is careful in keeping up his stock and attend- ing to the wants of his customers and has es- tablished a reputation for husiness honesty and integrity. He owns the home at 1520 East Washington Street. He adheres to the He- brew religion and fraternally belongs to the Masonic Fraternity and Woodmen of the World, of which he has been a member two years; has been for one year Secretary of the Bnai Abra- hamu Congregation ; for one year has been Treasurer of the Modern Knights of Ziou and is also a member of Bnai Brith. In politics he is a Republican.

Mr. Dnbinsky was married in Springfield, May 26, 1907. to Miss Ethel Greenberg, and they have one son, Harold, born April S, 190S. Mrs. Dubinsky is a daughter of David and Fannie (Gingold) Greenburg, natives of Russia. They were married in Russia and came to America on their honeymoon trip, landing in New York about 1SSO. They reside in Springfield, where Mr. Greenberg is one of the leading clothing merchants. He came to Springfield with less than one dollar in his possession, and has since been able to accumulate considerable property and for the past twenty-five years has con- ducted his store, having a nice husiness.

· DUBOIS, Jesse Kilgore. (Vol. I, p. 137.)

DUFFIELD, William Henry (deceased) .- Con- nected with the history of Abraham Lincoln is that of William Henry Duffield. for a number of years attached to the State House at Spring- field. Mr. Duffield, an ardent admirer of the martyred President, ntilized spare moments fashioning pen holders, gavel's and canes from the tree which stood in front of the Lincoln resi- dence in Springfield. This tree was planted by Mr. Lincoln about 1857, and when Mr. Duffield conceived the idea of making these mnementoes of his old friend, they were bought by people all over the country, who also admired the great man. Mr. Duffield was born in Putnam County, Ind., November 1, 1842, but when he was only ten years old. his parents moved to Greenville Ill.

Brought up to farm life and receiving a coun- try school education, Mr. Duffield early learned lessons of patriotism, aud was one of the first to offer his services in defense of his country. enlisting August 18. 1861, in Company I, Thirty- third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, from which he was honorahly discharged December 6, 1865. having heen made Sergeant.

At the close of the war he returned home and engaged in various occupations. On August 17. 1873, he was united in marriage with Adelia Haskell, and they had the following childreu : Maud, unmarried ; Gertrude, Mrs. W. H. Clifford. of St. Charles, Mo .; Charles L., of Springfield ;

Mary M., Mrs. George Weidlocher, of Spring- field ; Jessie and Edwin, unmarried.

A year prior to his marriage he had become an attache of the State House, and in 1874 moved to Springfield, residing on Walunt Street for three years. He then returned to Virginia, Ill., which had been his home, but in 1897 once more came to Springfield, and there he died, April 10, 190S. A stanch member of the G. A. R., he was Commander of his Post at Virginia. He joined the Methodist Church in childhood, and was faithful to its teachings all his life. In politics he was a Republican. Conscientious, faithful, devoted to his friends, and possessing few (if any) enemies, Mr. Duffield rounded out a useful life, and left behind him a pleasant memory, cherished by those who knew him.

DUMMER, Henry E. (Vol. 1, p. 606.)

DUNAWAY, Charles Newton (deceased) .- Farm- ing has become one of the most profitable occu- pations in which man can engage, and a num- ber of the leading agriculturists of Sangamon County who have been engaged in this calling for a number of years have retired from their labors, having gained a sufficient competency to provide for their needs during the remainder of their lives. One who bore his part in the development of the rich farming lands of the locality was the late Charles Newton Dunaway, who became an important factor in its busi- ness life. He was horn in Hendicks County, Ind., November 2, 1838, a son of James and Mariah N. (King) Dunaway, natives of Fal- mouth, Ky., the former born October 11, 1811, and the latter in 1808. The father was a farmer and brought his family to Mechanics- burg, Ill., October 15, 1851, engaged in a stock business, hecame very successful, and lived there until his death, in 1872. His wife had died in 1860, and both are interred in Mechanicshurg Cemetery. They had six children: William, who resides in Springfield; Charles N .; Mar- garet, wife of John B. Stone, of Haddam, Kan .; Louisa, Julius and Americus, who are deceased.

Charles N. Dunaway was educated in the Buffalo Hart Township schools. spending his youth on his parent's farm and learning how to work it and to manage an agricultural es- tate. Thus it was that when he began work- ing for himself he was able to do so success- fully, and continued in that line until 1883. when he began manufacturing harness in Logan County, Ill., where he lived until 1886, then set- tled in Mechanicsburg and engaged in the same business there for twelve years. Following this he operated a general store at Buffalo Hart Grove for three years, then moved to Rochester and resumed farming operations. He continued agricultural life for nine years, hut in 1905 came to Mechanicsburg, where he remained un- til his death. During the Civil War he enlisted in July, 1862. in Company B Eleventh Missouri Volunteer Infantry, at St. Louis, but after serv-

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ing one year was discharged for disability. In 1860 he voted for his personal friend, Abrahau Lincoln, and did so again in 1864, being proud to follow the leadership of that illustrious man. Ever after he was a stanch Republican, but never sought office, although he served faith- fully and well as Justice of the Peace in Logan Couuty. He was elected to the same office ju Mechanicsburg, but refused to serve, feeling that his four years' occupaucy of that office was sufficient.

On May 9, 1SSS, Mr. Dunaway was united in marriage, in Rochester, with Mary J. Thomas, daughter of Joseph and Rachel (Morris) Thomas. Mrs. Dunaway was born In Ohio, coming to Springfield with her parents in 1852. They were natives of Ohio, where the father was a farmer, later following the same occupation iu Sangamon County. Mr. and Mrs. Duuaway had children as follows: Sylvia A. and Flor- ence S., both at home, and one child who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Dunaway belonged to the Christian Church and became well known for their many pious deeds and kindly charities. About three or four years ago Mr. Dunaway became totally blind, as a result of injuries re- ceived during the Civil War. Many of the sol- diers who escaped shot and shell were laid low by various allments that have finally resulted in dire consequences. No words can describe their sufferings, but their bravery and patience are appreciated and their dceds recorded on the pages of history. In addition to his pleasant home at Mechanicsburg, Mr. Dunaway owned stock In several financial enterprises, and was one of the substantial men of his locality. His death occurred September 12, 1910, mourued by the entire community.

DUNAWAY, William E., a retired farmer living in Springfield, Ill., has been a resident of that city since 1880, and upon his locating there spent several years at carpentering. He is a veterau of the Civil War and well-known in Grand Army circles. He was born in Kentucky, May 22, 1834, son of James Duuaway and his wife, who moved from Kentucky to Ileudrleks County, Ind., at an early day, and a few years later came to Sangamon County, and settled on a farm near Buffalo Hart. Some years later Jaques Dunaway moved to a farm near Dawson, Sangamon County, but finally returned to his original farm near Buffalo Hart, where both he and his wife died. He was an active mem- ber of the Baptist Church and in politics was first a Whig and later a Republican.

In boyhood William F. Dunaway attended school in a log building, with crude furnish- ings and few conveniences or comforts. He lived with his parents until seventeen years old, when he began working among the farmers of the neighborhood. He enlisted as private, July 25, 1862, at Buffalo Hart, the term of his enlistment being three years, and he participated in every battle in which his company served, belng under the command of General Sherman

and A. J. Smith. He was a faithful soldier, ful- filled every duty, and was never wounded or captured. He was a member of Camp Butler Post, G. A. R., until they disbanded, not long ago.

At the close of the war Mr. Dunaway re- sumed farming, in which line he was fairly successful, and In 1880 moved to Springfield, where he engaged in carpenter work. He has been retired some years. In politics he is a Republican. He is well known in the city and has many warm personal friends. He was

quarried (first) to Miss Mary Johnson, born near Buffalo Hart, who dled in 1880, and some years later he married (second) Miss Helen Lanham, of Sangamon County, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Matthews) Lanham, and the following children were born of this union : Russell, of Springfield; Nellie, wife of Tilford Hadley, of Springfield ; and Lizzie.

DUNCAN, Elizabeth .- One of the oldest, if not the oldest citizen, of Sangamon County, Is Miss Elizabeth Duncan, a native of Kentucky, who has now passed her hundredth birthday. MIss Duncan was born August 8, 1811, and in 1829 cmigrated from Bourbon County, Ky., riding on horseback most of the way. Other members of the party who emigrated to Sangamon County at the same time were Ivins Foster, who set- tled In what is now Curran Township; Montre- ville Dunn, who settled in Chatham Township, and Mrs. Rebecca McKee, who located in Loamnl Township. Mrs. McKce had a famlly of four sons-Samuel, John, James and Willlam-and one daughter, Mrs. Martha Duncan, who was a widow and mother of Elizabeth Duncan, the subject of this sketch. Elizazbeth-or "Aunt Betty," as she is affectionately called by her most Intimate friends, was never married, but for some thirty years followed the vocation of a talloress, making men's fine suits with the skill of the experienced tallor. In her advanced years she retains her quental and physical en- ergies in a remarkable degree, and is accus- tomed to visit the city of Springfield two or three times every year where she is cordially welcomed by a number of ardent friends who remember her long life and who have always held hier in high esteem. Miss Duncan was present at the annual uiceting of the Old Set- tlers Society of Sangamon County, held at New Berlin, August 2, 1911, and was awarded the prize as the oldest citizen in attendance.

DUNCAN, Milton .- After spending a long career in agricultural pursuits, the average Illinois farmer is ready to retire from active life, take up hils residence in a nearby town or clty, and there spend the remainder of his life in peace and quiet, enjoying the fruits of his labor. Mil- ton Duncan, a well-known and highly esteemed citizen of Springfield, spent many years in farm- ing and then retired from farm work. He was born on a farm in Gibson Connty, Ind., in 1848, a son of Josiah and Caroline (Farris)

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Duucan, farmiug people and natives of Peunsyl- vania aud ludiana, respectively.

The educational advantages of Milton Dun- . can were secured in the country schools of Gib- sou County, and his youth was spent on his father's farm, where he was trained to the life of au agriculturist. On reaching his major- ity he secured a farm of his owu and operated it until 1885, when he brought his family to Springfield, where he afterwards resided. His life was so busy that he uever cared to turn his attentiou to either fraternal matters or public affairs, although he voted for the principles supported by the Republican party. His religious counectiou was with the United Presbyteriau Church.

On November 10, 1871, near Oakland City, Ind., Mr. Duucan was uuited In marriage with Mary Richardson, daughter of George W. and Johanna (May) Richardson, the former of whom came from North Carolina and settled on a farm near Princeton, Ind.

Mrs. Duncan has two children living: L. G., of Riverton, and Mrs. Lillie Todd, a wldow, residing at No. 1912 East Edwards Street, Springfield. Mrs. Todd has two children, Arthur and May. L. G. Duncan is a carpenter and con- tractor at Riverton, and has one child, a daugh- ter, Chloe.

DUNKEL, David Albert, who owns a pleasant home at Pleasant Piains, Ill., is a native of Sangamon County, descended from old and honored American families. He was born near his present home, a little east of the village, in Cartwright Township, April 6, 1857, a son of George and Margaret (Hankison) Dunkel, of Circleville, Pickaway County, Ohio, where they were born, reared and marrled. They were early settlers of Menard County, Ill., where they purchased land, developed a good farm and erected a comfortable home. The grandfather, John Dunkel, was a natlve of Pennsylvania, but the family came originally from Germany and the name was then spelled Dunckel. John Dun- kel came to Sangamon County in an early day and settled on the farm now owned by J. T. Ferry, In Cartwright Township, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing away about 1867, his widow surviving until about 1872. They were people of true Christlan falth and active workers iu the Baptist Church, being highly respected by ail who knew them for thelr good deeds and public spirlt. They were par- ents of fourteen children, two of whom dled In infancy, but twelve reached maturity. Of these but one now survives, Mrs. W. H. Dorand, of Pleasant Plains.

George Dunkel was one of the most promi- nent men of Cartwright Townshlp, always in- terested in every publlc measure and taking part In the development and advancement of his townshlp and county. He was a true pi- oneer, reclalming wild laud, bringing hls farm to a high state of cultlvatlon and preparing for the comfort and welfare of those to follow him.

To such men the present generation owes a large debt of gratitude and respect. In poll- tics he was a Democrat and he and his wife were devout members of the Baptist Church, being fouud each Sabbath in the house of wor- ship. He was highly respected in his com- munity and spent his last days on his farm, dying October 29, 1897. His widow survived hiu until 1907, passing away when seventy-two years of age, while he was sixty-eight years old at the time of his death. They had four chil- dren, uamely : Kate, wife of Samuel Farmer, a farmer of Morgan County; Sarah, wife of Charles Smith, of Pleasant Plains, has two chil- dren, Lee and Jesse; David Albert, subject of this sketch; John T., a sketch of whom appears In this work. The oldest daughter, Mrs. Far- mer, has three children, namely: Frances, at home; Edna, Mrs. George Flinn, has one child, Lloyd; Pearl, wife of Charles Brown, of Rood- house, Ill., has one child, Colleta.

Davld A. Dunkel was reared on his father's farm and educated in the school nearby, re- mainlng with his parents until he was twenty years of age. About 1877 he rented a farm and operated it on his own account. Later he pur- chased forty acres of land southeast of Pleas- ant Plains and in 1880 sold it, then purchased sixty acres near what is known as the Frank- Iln School, remaining there until 1883. He was married October 11, 1876, to Miss Evelyn Val- entine, being then not quite twenty years of age. She was born in Cartwright Township, February 16, 1858, daughter of Samuel Valen- tine, a pioneer settler of Sangamon County, who lived on the farm uow owned by Mrs. Green W. Martin. Mr. Valentine was a man of high char- acter and was greatly esteemed wherever known. He and his wife, Sophia (Young) Val- entine, were born near Circlevllie, Ohio, and reared on farms there. He was a son of John Valentine, a Pennsylvaniau by birth, who lo- cated in Pickaway County, Ohio, as a young man. The grandparents came to Sangamon County with Mrs. Dunkel's parents, making the journey with wagons. Samuel Valentine's par- ents both died in the year 1853. He bought 160 acres of land in Cartwright Township, where John H. Campbell now lives, which he later sold and purchased the farm above meu- tioned as the home of Mrs. Martin, where he and his wife both passed away. He died In 1885 and his wife In 1880. They were reared in the Lutheran faith and were devout and earnest Christians. He was one of Nature's true noble- men, and while he and his wife did not unite with any church after coming to Sangamou Couuty, they attended the Presbyterian Church and gave freely of their time and money towards building up both the church and school in their- nelghborhood. He was kind and charitable in spirit and manner and always ready to help anyone in trouble or necd. He paid good wages for the people he employed and always treated them well, being very tender-hearted and sympathetic toward ali his fellows. No

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one had more warm friends in Cartwright Town- ship than he and he was known as a mau of public spirit iu all ways. He was a Democrat in politics. He and his wife were parents of three sous and seven daughters, of whom four daughters and two sons are now surviving: Sylvester, a farmer of Schuyler County ; Ella W., wife of Philip A. Williams, of Cumberland Furnace, Tenn .; Sophia, widow of Samuel Campbell, residiug at St. Joseph, Mo .; Mrs. Dunkel; India Isabel, wife of John Kirby, when last heard from was living near St. Louis, Mo .; Samuel, a blacksmith of Pleasant Plains. Those deceased are: Mary, wife of W. V. Camp- bell, a sketch of whom appears in this work; Cordelia, who married James E. Campbell, and both are uow deceased; Clara Emma Rosetta died at the age of twenty-three years, a lady of beautiful Christlau character, loved by all ; Israel, deceased. Mrs. Dunkel was reared in a good Christian home.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 44

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913 Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 774

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774