Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Morgan County, Part 160

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Short, William F., 1829- 4n
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1286

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Politically, Mr. Dickinson was always a firm Democrat. He has served as Road Commis- sioner and Fence Viewer. Religiously, he is a member of the Christian Church. Fraternally he belongs to Matt Starr Post, G. A. R. Mr. Dickinson is a man of the highest character, and a public-spirited and useful member of the community.

DIGGINS, Robert, a venerable and greatly re- spected resident of Concord, Morgan County, Ill., was born in St. Alban's, near London, England, June 10, 1825, the son of Edward and Mary Ann Diggins, also natives of England. In his boyhood he attended the public schools of his native country and afterward learned the carpenter's trade with his father.

On March 7, 1853, Robert Diggins embarked for America, the voyage from Liverpool to Bos- ton, Mass., consuming forty-three days. From Boston he went to New Brunswick, Canada, where he was employed as a carpenter on the railroad. In 1851, he sailed for Norway, where he had a contract for the carpenter work on the first railroad built in that country. Returning to the United States in 1856, he proceeded to Illinois and located in Morgan County. where he engaged in contracting and building. In 1862 he was employed by the Quartermaster's Department of the Army in building barracks, bridges, wagons, etc., at Cairo, Ill., and Nash- ville, Tenn. His work for the Government continued four years, during which period he built Benton Barracks at St. Louis. After the war he returned to Concord, Ill., and soon aft- erward began growing osage-hedge fences. Sub- sequently. he engaged in the undertaking busi- ness, which he conducted for nine years. Mr. Diggins owns 240 acres of land in Illinois and 400 acres in Kansas.

On November 5, 1860, Mr. Diggins was united in marriage with Mary J. Eagle, who was born in Ipswich, England, and came to Concord, Ill., with her parents when she was seven years old. Of the nine children born to this union four survive, namely: . Reuben, a farmer living in the vicinity of Concord, Morgan County; William, who lives in Beardstown, Ill .; Ida, who resides at home; and Elizabeth, a milliner of Springfield.

In politics, Mr. Diggins is a supporter of the Democratic party. He held the office of Overseer of the Poor for several years and for twenty- five years has served in the capacity of Justice of the Peace. Fraternally, since 1862 he has been affiliated with the A. F. & A. M. and is treasurer of the local lodge. In 1857 he became identified with the I. O. O. F. Mrs. Diggins is a devoted Christian, and has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since she was thirteen years of age. Mr. Diggin's career has been remarkable for energy and enterprise, and has been attended with marked success. He has long been prominent in every movement pertaining to the welfare of the town of his adoption, and his extended period of life has been full of usefulness, both in a private sphere and in his relation to the community. His ripening years are crowned with the respect and cordial esteem of his fellow citizens.

DINWIDDIE, James, one of the veteran agri- culturists of Morgan County, Ill., was born on the farm where he now lives, in Section 18, Town 16, Range 10, a mile and a half west of Arcadia, on February 16, 1833, the son of Thomas C. and Vizilla (Sims) Dinwiddie-the former born in Bourbon County, Ky., October 6, 1806, and the latter in North Carolina May 30, 1811. The mother's parents removed to Kentucky when she was quite young.

The paternal grandfather was William Din- widdie. Thomas C. Dinwiddie, his son and the father of James, was raised on a farm in Bour- bon County, Ky., and in 1827 migrated (it is said, afoot) to Morgan County, Ill. He located on a part of the farm which his son James now occupies. He and his brother-in-law, Wesley Sims, started a tan-yard on this farm in 1828 or 1829. He walked from the farm to Galena, Ill., where his uncle. James Dinwiddie, lived, and, with the latter, worked for about a year at the blacksmith trade. He returned to the

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farm, on foot, in 1830. In that year he built a log cabin adjoining the tanyard, containing one room, 16x18 feet in dimensions. After his mar- riage he operated a tanyard for about twelve years. In 1857 he built the main portion of the large residence now standing on the premises. Thomas C. Dinwiddie died September 8, 1858, and was buried in the Arcadia Cemetery. The deceased was especially active in laying out roads and organizing schools, but was a useful citizen in every way. At one time he served as Justice of the Peace. His wife, whom he mar- ried in 1830, died April 9, 1890. They were the parents of nine children, namely: William, who died at the age of fourteen years; James; An- drew; Samuel, who lives three miles east of Literberry, Ill .; Helen M., who married William K. Richardson; Martha A., wife of Thomas Richards, who lives in Greene County, Ill .; Thomas, who resides in the vicinity of Frank- lin, Ill .; Isabel E., who died at the age of nine- teen years; and David, who died in infancy. In religious faith, the father of this family was a Presbyterian and the mother a zealous Methodist.

James Dinwiddie was reared on the home- stead farm which was his birthplace. The first school which he attended was a mile and a half from his present residence. Like all the primitive schoolhouses in this region, it was a log house, with slab benches for seats, fire- places for heating with wood as fuel, and one precious glass window. Mr. Dinwiddie has often attended school barefooted until frost covered the ground. His first teacher was Elias Hammer.

Mr. Dinwiddie remained on this farm with his father until the latter's death, and then conducted it for his mother; so that his entire life has been passed on the homestead. He is the owner of 300 acres of land, on which he has conducted general farming and stock-rais- ing. The land, when his father settled on it, was covered with heavy timber, mostly oak. In early days he used oxen for heavy work, almost exclusively.

On January 5, 1865, Mr. Dinwiddie was united in marriage with Annie H. Richardson, who was born in Newtown, Hamilton County, Ohio, and whose brother first came to Morgan County, and married Mr. Dinwiddie's sister. Four sons resulted from Mr. Dinwiddie's union

with Miss Richardson; the first born died in infancy; Owen G., Horace W. and James G. Owen G. lives on the homestead farm. He mar- ried Mary Blackburn, and they have two chil- dren- James E. and Helen. Horace W. lives with his father. His wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Hunter, has borne him one child, Anna. He served as a musician in the Fifty- first Iowa Regiment during the Spanish-Amer- ican War, being stationed for six months at San Francisco and serving for twelve months in the Philippines. On the outbreak of the war, he was a college student at Des Moines, Ia. James G. lives in Jacksonville, where he is bookkeeper in the Hockenhull-Elliott Bank and Trust Company. He married Lillian Campbell, and their union has resulted in two children- James H. and Ruth.

In politics Mr. Dinwiddie is an ardent and ac- tive Republican, and has held the office of Town- ship School Treasurer since 1871. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Mrs. Dinwiddie is a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Dinwiddie is one of the few survivors of the pioneer period in Morgan County, and has led a very busy and useful ca- reer. Careful, energetic and successful as a farmer, upright and scrupulous as a man, and public spirited and serviceable as a citizen, his record is beyond reproach.

DODGE, Frank Granville, a well known and prosperous tailor, of Jacksonville, Morgan County, Ill., was born in Nashua, N. H., Febru- ary 9, 1848, the son of Granville and Lucy M. (Conrey) Dodge; his maternal grandfather was a soldier of the Mexican War. Granville Dodge, the father, was born at Johnson, Vt., July 13, 1823, and by occupation, was a carpenter. In 1852, he sailed around Cape Horn to California, where he died February 28, 1896. His wife was born at Hollis, N. H., May 5, 1819, and died July 30, 1881.

Mr. Dodge attended the public schools, in boy- hood, and afterward became a pupil at Appleton Academy, Mt. Vernon, N. H. At the age of fif- teen years he enlisted in Company B, Eleventh Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the battles of Cold Harbor, Spottsylvania Court House and Petersburg. He was with Grant in the Battles of the Wilderness, and was injured and taken to Washington,

J Patterson

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

where he was a witness of the assassination of President Lincoln in Ford's Theater, on the evening of April 14, 1865.

After the war Mr. Dodge learned the tailor's trade at Lowell, Mass., engaging in that occupa- tion at Springfield and at Orange, Mass. After passing two and a half years at the latter place he removed to Philadelphia, where for some time he was in the employ of Wannamaker & Brown. The next two years and a half were passed by him in Washington, D. C., and Balti- more. Later he moved to Parkersburg, W. Va., where, for eleven years, he was a prominent citizen and successful business man. While at Parkersburg he was Captain of a State Militia company for three years; later was engaged in business one year in Atlanta, Ga .; five years, at Edinburg, Ind .; and seven years, at Fremont, Neb., whence he moved to Jacksonville, January 2, 1895. On arriving in Jacksonville, he entered into partnership with Frank P. Cupp, under the firm name of F. P. Cupp & Co. The dura- tion of this partnership was somewhat less than three years, Mr. Dodge then purchasing his partner's interest. Since then he has conducted a very successful business alone. He is an ac- tive member of the Jacksonville Merchants' As- sociation, of which he has been a Trustee and Vice-President.

On July 6, 1867, Mr. Dodge was married, at South Deerfield, Mass., to Ella J. Wells, of Low- ell, Mass., a daughter of Thomas and Phæbe (Heath) Wells. Her father was born at Dan- bury, N. H., November 28, 1825, and died No- vember 29, 1878. Her mother was born at. Bow, N. H., October 22, 1829, and died May 16, 1855. From the union of Mr. and Mrs. Dodge six chil- dren have been born, namely: Will S., born May 5, 1868; Harry B., born March 5, 1871; Frank G., Jr., born January 10, 1873, and died July 23, 1873; Charles E., born February 17, 1874; Herbert G., born October 8, 1876; and Percy M., born October 16, 1878.

In politics Mr. Dodge is a supporter of the principles of the Republican party. In frater- nal circles, he Is affiliated with Indiana Lodge, No. 42, K. of P .; Jacksonville Council, No. 2,003. Royal Arcanum; Jacksonville Council. No. 494. Knights and Ladies of Security; and Matt Starr Post, No. 376, G. A. R. He is a man of ex- cellent business capability, and socially is ex- tremely popular.

DOYING, George E., (deceased), former editor and proprietor of the "Illinois Courier," Jack- sonville, was born in Little Warwick, Province of Quebec, Canada, January 22, 1839, the son of Daniel and Ann (Kelley) Doying, and died in Jacksonville, Ill., July 20, 1904. He was of a family of thirteen children, but one of whom, Charles E. Doying, of Nashua, N. H., survives. After securing a meager education in the com- mon schools of his native province, at the age of thirteen years he left home and began a self-supporting career by working upon farms and railroads. At the age of eighteen he entered a printing office in Pennsylvania as an appren- tice. Four years later, in 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Sixth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served continuously for three years in the Union cause, when he received an honorable discharge. At the close of the war he went to Washington, D. C., where he entered the Government Printing Office as an employe. While thus engaged he occupied rooms in the Surratt residence, and was thereby enabled to witness many of the scenes in the drama of which the assassination of President Lincoln was the culmination.

In 1866 Mr. Doying removed to Illinois, lo- cating at Carlyle, where he entered the employ of Zophar Case, editor and proprietor of the "Constitution and Union," of which, in partner- ship with Hardin Case, a few years later, he became proprietor. The two partners conducted the paper until 1876, when Mr. Doying sold his interest to Mr. Case, removed to Jacksonville and purchased a third interest in the "Weekly and Tri-Weekly Courier," which was then con- ducted by T. D. Price & Company. On July 18, 1882, Mr. Doying formed a partnership with William H. Hinrichsen, under the name of Doying & Hinrichsen, who continued the pub- lication of the two papers until 1885, in the meantime-in March, 1883-establishing the "Daily Courier." In 1885 the firm was reor- ganized under the name of Doying, Hinrichsen & Case, by the admission of Warren Case into the partnership, and in addition to conducting the "Daily and Weekly Courier," the firm pur- chased the "Quincy (111.) Daily Herald." Mr. Doying remained in Jacksonville and conducted the "Courier," while his partners removed to Quincy and conducted the "Herald." In 1890 the latter paper was sold, and in 1892 the part-

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nership was dissolved, Mr. Doying becoming sole proprietor of the "Courier," which he con- tinued to control until his death. Under his management the "Illinois Courier" became the leading Democratic newspaper of Morgan Coun- ty, and, outside of Chicago, one of the most in- fluential papers of the State.

Though devoting the best of his energy to the development of his newspaper, Mr. Doying did not neglect other local interests tending to ad- vance the material and social welfare of the community in which he lived. For many years he was actively and prominently identified with the Independent Order of Mutual Aid, of which he was elected Grand President in 1890 and reelected in 1891, serving two terms of one year each. In 1902 he was again elected to the office for a term of two years, and reelected in 1904 for a similar period, holding this office at the time of his death. He also occupied the post of editor of the "I. O. M. A. Herald," the official organ of the order, and was identified with several other secret and fraternal organiza- tions. In Masonry he was a member of Jack- sonville Lodge, No. 570, A. F. & A. M., and of Hospitaler Commandery, No. 31, K. T. He was likewise active in the work of the Odd Fel- lows, Knights of Pythias, the Knights of Honor and Knights of Khorassen. In the lodge of the Independent Order of Red Men, which was in- stituted in Jacksonville several years ago, he served as the first Grand Sachem. The only public office he ever held was during the Alt- geld administration, when from 1892 to 1896 he served as Treasurer of the State School for the Blind. Mr. Doying's interest in the higher type of local institutions is also well illustrated by his identification with the Public Library Board, to which he devoted much of his time during the period when the Carnegie Library building was in process of construction. In the earlier days, when the library had no such sub- stantial and attractive home, he was as pro- foundly interested in its welfare, and did every- thing in his power to popularize it and keep its standard high. As a member of the Jackson- ville Park Commission he rendered material assistance in the work of beautifying the city's public grounds. He also served at one time as President of the Jacksonville Business Men's Association, and in this capacity used his best endeavor to advance the industrial and commer- cial interests of the city.

On December 2, 1869, Mr. Doying was united in marriage with Hattie Norris, of Carlyle, Ill., a daughter of Daniel 'and Harriett (Thornton) Norris, and they had the following named chil- dren born to them: William D., business man- ager of the "Illinois Courier"; Mary A., wife of Ernest H. Olds, of Chicago; Emma N., living at home; George E., Jr., editor of the "Illinois Courier"; Elizabeth A., wife of Frank P. Vick- ery, of Jacksonville; Nellie C .; and Charles F., an employe in the office of the "Illinois Courier."

By those who were favored with an intimate acquaintance with Mr. Doying he was most highly esteemed for those traits of character which always endear a man to his fellows. He was recognized by all as a man possessed of an abundant public spirit, and unselfish motives in everything he undertook for the ultimate benefit of the community. Thought of self was always his last consideration. He zealously labored for the advancement of the material welfare of Jacksonville and Morgan County from all view points-commercial, industrial, educational and social. A humanitarian instinct, which is all too rare in these days, marked the progress of his life, and he was never called upon in vain for assistance in the promotion of well-consid- ered efforts for the amelioration of the condi- tion of the needy. There lie scattered through- out Jacksonville numerous momuments to his enterprise and public spirit, the most notice- able of which are the street improvements which he so earnestly advocated and labored to secure. In his death the community suffered a loss that was deeply deplored.

DUNCAN, Richard Y., blacksmith, Franklin, Morgan County, Ill., was born at Jacksonville, Ill., February 20, 1860, the son of Captain John B. and Adeline G. Duncan, natives of Tennessee and Kentucky. Mrs. Duncan's ancestors saw service in both the Revolutionary and Black Hawk Wars. While still a young man John B. Duncan became fired with an enthusiasm to serve his country, which at length resulted in his enlistment in Company H, Thirty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry for service in the Civil War. Indeed, he it was who really formed the company, and it was only natural that he should be chosen its Captain. After participat- ing in a number of engagements Captain Dun- can was so unfortunate as to lose his leg, which

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was shot off below the knee at Little Hatchee. Upon recovering from the effects of his wound he returned to his regiment, and with a cork leg endcavored to keep about and perform the du- ties which had appeared so easy previous to his loss; but field labor was too difficult, and at length he was stationed as Recruiting Offi- cer at Springfield. He had already served as Orderly Sergeant during the Mexican War and also took part in the Mormon troubles. At one time he studied law, and began to practice his profession in Jacksonville. He was likewise one of the County Commissioners, and one of the prominent and useful citizens of the county. He was the father of twelve children-six boys and six girls. His death, which resulted from gangrene, occurred July 18, 1864, when he was in his forty-fourth year. His widow survived him many years, dying at the age of eighty-one.

Richard Y. Duncan received his education in the public schools of Franklin. Very early he began to learn the blacksmith's trade, so that when he was only eighteen he started in life for himself as a journeyman. For twenty-seven years he has followed this calling, in which he has been successful and consequently prosper- ous. On May 1, 1884, he was married to Caro- line, daughter of Henry Reinbach, of Franklin, Ill., and of this union five children have been born-Dessau, Meda, Ruth, Harold and Esther.

Mr. Duncan is the owner of several valuable pieces of property in Franklin, and is promi- nent in all that pertains to the advancement of the town. In his political views he is a Re- publican. He has been a member of the Town Board, has been President of the Village Board, and for five years Township Treasurer, being the present incumbent. He is a member of the Masonic order, of the I. O. O. F., Modern Wood- men and Protective League, and has the dis- tinction of having served twenty-two years as Treasurer of the Odd Fellows Lodge in Frank- lin. He is identified with the Christian Church, holding the office of Trustee in the same.

DUNCAN, William Percy, B. S., M. D., a thor- oughly equipped and rising young physician and surgeon of Jacksonville, Morgan County, Ill., was born in Jacksonville, October 30, 1878, the son of Edward and Emily (Riddick) Duncan. na- tives of Pennsylvania and Indiana respectively. The grandfather, Robert Duncan, was born in Beaver County, Pa., in 1809, and the grand-

mother, Martha (Neville) Duncan, was born in the same county, in 1816. The former, who was a farmer by occupation, died when seventy-eight years old, and the latter, at the age of sixty-two years.

Edward Duncan was- born in Beaver County, Pa., August 16, 1838, and received his mental training in the district schools and at Beaver Academy, being afterward, for twelve years, a teacher in the schools of Pennsylvania, Indiana and Illinois. He enlisted August 9, 1862, in Company G, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was connected with the Army of the Potomac during the rest of the war, participating in the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancel- lorsville and Gettysburg. In 1868 he located at Cerro Gordo, Ill., where he followed the occu- pation of teaching. In 1876 he graduated from the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, the oldest institution of the kind in the United States, after which, at Jacksonville, he began the successful practice which he has since con- tinued. He is a member of the State and Mor- gan County Dental Societies. Fraternally, he is affiliated with Jacksonville Lodge, No. 570, A. F. & A. M., and a member of the Blue Lodge and Chapter. He is an active member of the Centenary Methodist Church of Jacksonville, in which he acts as class leader, and has held the positions of Trustee and member of the Board of Stewards. He has also served one term as a member of the Jacksonville School Board.

On March 16, 1869, at Seymour, Ind., Dr. Dun- can was married to Emily Ruddick, a daughter of Solomon and Elizabeth (Fisher) Ruddick. Two children were the result of this union- Helen, who was born September 14, 1874, and died May 4, 1900, and William Percy.

Dr. Duncan received his early education in the public schools of Jacksonville, and at Whipple Academy, later graduating from Illi- nois College and from the Medical Depart- ment of Northwestern University in 1903. He began the practice of his profession in Birming- ham, Ala., where he held the position of Trus- tee of the Birmingham Dental College, and was a member of the faculty of that institution, be- ing in charge of the departments of Practical Anatomy and Physiology. He was also Assist- ant Professor of Chemistry in the Birmingham Medical College and a member of the Birming- ham Library Association, of the Jefferson

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

County Medical Society and Alabama State Medical Society. In October, 1904, he located at Jacksonville and there began the prac- tice of medicine and surgery, which he is continuing with constantly increasing success. He is a member of the Jacksonville Medical Club, the Morgan County Medical Society, the Sixth District Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society, and the American Medical As- sociation, and is a Fellow in the American Academy of Medicine.

On July 21, 1903, Dr. W. P. Duncan was mar- ried to Florence Tunison, a daughter of Henry Cuthbert and Catherine (Murray) Tunison. One child-Edward Tunison, born June 7, 1904 -resulted from this union.

Religiously, Dr. Duncan is a member of the Centenary Methodist Church of Jacksonville, in which, during 1904-05, he was Superinten- dent of the Sunday School. During his college years he was very prominent in Y. M. C. A. work, and served two years on the Board of Managers in Chicago. He was President of the local Y. M. C. A. of the college, and in 1902 was camp physician of the Annual Camp, at Lake Geneva.

DUNLAP, Irvin, (deceased), merchant, farmer and former Sheriff of Morgan County, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, March 12, 1835, a son of Stephen and Dicy (Runkle) Dunlap. The family of which he was a representative was founded in America by Prof. John Dunlap, Pro- fessor of Greek in the University of Glasgow, Scotland, who in 1730 sailed for Virginia. His remains are buried at Augusta, W. Va. His son, William Dunlap, was born in Virginia in August, 1744, and died in Kentucky March 5, 1816. He served in the Revolutionary War until the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. The musket which he carried in that struggle is still in pos- session of the family. There is a tradition au- thenticated by letters in the possession of an archæologist of Kentucky, that William Dunlap was on the street with Edward Payne when, in an altercation with GeorgeWashington, who was then a Colonel, the latter was struck by Payne. Lossing, in his "Field Notes," refers to this dis- pute, stating that Washington subsequently ac- knowledged himself to have been in the wrong and apologized handsomely to Payne. In 1772 William Dunlap was united in marriage with Rebecca Robertson, who was born in Augusta

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Morgan County, Part 160

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Short, William F., 1829- 4n Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1286

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Short, William F., 1829- 4n
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1286