Illinois, Crawford County historical and biographical, Part 142

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1058

USA > Illinois > Crawford County > Illinois, Crawford County historical and biographical > Part 142

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DAVIS, Dr. Charles Ludvey .- Grandson of a noted physician whose life was spent in the prac- tice of his profession. and who died in the prime

JOHN T. LINDSAY

MRS. JOIN T. LINDSAY

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of his career, Dr. Charles Ludvey Davis ill- herited his leaning towards his chosen calling. and early in lite had an ambition to become a member of the medical fraternity. Dr. Davis was born in Robinson, March 11, 1884, and after graduating from the Robinson High School, in May, 1904, entered the medical department of the University of St. Louis, attending four years, and during his last year served as interne of the Frisco Railroad Hospital. He was graduated from the University May 22, 1908, with his de- gree. He was a member of the Chi Zeta Chi Medical Fraternity, and is a member of the Crawford Connty Medical Society, and of the Masonic order. Dr. Davis is a member of the Methodist Church with which he has been asso- ciated for sixteen years. He is interested in public affairs, and is one of the most enterpris- ing men of his community. As a physician and surgeon his ability, skill and experience have given him a good practice, and he has the de- served confidence and respect of his patients.

Dr. Davis is a son of Charles Edwin Davis, who was born in New Hebron, Ill., and until 1891 tarmed on his property of 160 acres, one and one-halt miles north of Robinson, but in that year purchased a residence in Robinson, where he now resides. He owns some very valuable oil and gas lands, and has long been closely identified with the general improvement of Rob- inson. In religious faith he is a Baptist.

The grandfather of Dr. Davis was Dr. Charles Clippinger Davis, born at Carlisle, Sullivan County, Ind .. January 23, 1830, a son of Dr. John W. Davis, a man of public note. He was a member of Congress, Speaker of the House, Minister to China, and held many other im- portant positions. In 1852 he lacked but one vote of becoming nominee of his party for Presi- dent, Franklin Pierce being the successful call- didate.

Dr. C. C. Davis was educated at the Uni- versity of Greencastle, Ind., and at the Cincin- nati (Ohio) Medical College. In 1853 he lo- cated at Robinson, where he resided with the exception of the time spent at New Hebron. He died very suddenly, his funeral services be- ing conducted at his late residence by his pastor, Rev. Dr. Van Treese, of the Methodist Church. His remains were interred in the Palestine Cemetery, where his first wife and several chil- dren had been laid to rest many years before. His second wife was Mrs. Sarah A. (Reinoehl) Showers, who was a danghter of John and Cath- erine (Johns) Reinoehl, and who was born in New Hebron, Ill., March 1, 1842, and there mar- ried to Dr. Davis, November 22, 1864. They had two children: George Wallace, who died October 7, 1886. aged eighteen months, and Mary Joy, born Angnst 22, 1888, and died at the age of sixteen years and nine months. Mrs. Davis is living in her home in Robinson. By his first marriage Dr. Davis had two sons : Charles Ed- win, ot Robinson and Dr. James Davis, of An- napolis, Crawford County,

Dr. Charles L. Davis is the oldest of a family

of five children born to his parents, the others being : Bonnie May, born October 7, 1886 ; Frank. born Jannary 13, 1893; Esther, born Angust 28, 1896, and Russell, born July 29, 1902. Bonnie May is the only one who has married, and she is now the wite of Harold Watson, of Spencer- ville, Ohio, son of George B. Watson. The two Watsons, father and son, are in the oil business. The marriage took place October 12, 1906, in Marshall, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Watson have one son, Raymond.

DAVIS, Verling W., attorney-at-law, Robinson, Ill., is a young man who is possessed of a thor- ough knowledge of the law, an eloquence that enables him to voice this knowledge with telling force, and a personality which serves him well in the successful practice of his profession. Mr. Davis was born in Fairmount, Ind .. October 4, 1877, a son of Foster and Dorinda ( Rush) Davis, both natives of Fairmount. The Davis family is of Welsh extraction and the Rush of Scotch. The father served with distinction during the Civil War, in a regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry.

Mr. Davis received a good preliminary eduen- tion at Fairmount Academy, later going to Stet- son University at De Land. Fla., where he re- ceived his degree of LL. B. He studied law at the Indiana Law College, at Indianapolis, and after graduation, first located at Marion, Ind., and there began the practice of his profes- sion. Later he came to Robinson, Ill., where he has since remained, and where he has won deserved success. In politics he is a Republican, but he has not been a seeker after political honors.

On June 30, 1904, Mr. Davis was married at Marion, Ind., to Miss Alta L, Nickle, of Warren, Pa, Two children have been born to them .-- Verling Nickle, born November 11. 1905, and Mildred, born December 18, 1906. One of the highest types of character is displayed by the legal mind. He who can carefully weigh evi- dence and judge accordingly, especially among neighbors and friends, is a valuable addition to any community, and it is a characteristic which appeals eventually to the people. Mr. Davis, because of that power, has become an important factor in civic affairs, and is much interested in Robinson and its future. He and his wife are popular socially and their friends are almost without number.

DEAN, George Marion .- The production of oil is dividing the attention of Illinois farmers who hitherto have been content with their agricul- tural occupations. Since the discovery of oil in Crawford County. the industrial and commer- cial aspect has changed considerably, and among those who have been fortunate enough to dis- cover oil on their' lands is George Marion Deau. of Robinson Township, who was born one and a quarter miles east of New Hebron, Crawford County. February 9, 1869. After attending the New Hebron school in his boyhood and youth, he

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commenced farming on his own account upon a farm belonging to his father, John Powell Dean, consisting of 260 acres. He now owns a fine farm of 100 acres, well developed and improved with a house and barn. He has one oil well upon his property. and is intending to drill for more. He also owns an interest in a 240 acre farm in Cross County, Ark.

George Marion Dean is a son of John Powell Dean and his wife Sabrina Ann (Parker) Deall. The former was born June 19, 1838, and died March 16, 1899, while his wife was born in Crawford County, January 29, 1841, and died December 2, 1905. Both passed away in the hoque now owned by their son S. A. Deau. John Powell Dean enlisted in April, 1861, in General Grant's old regiment, Twenty-first Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, and served three years. being mustered out in Georgia, in 1864. He was wounded in the left hand at the battle of Stone River. His record as a soldier is one of which his children may well feel proud, for he was brave and faithful.

February 9, 1890, George Marion Dean was married at the residence of Rev. Jesse Jackson, near New Hebron, to Malissa Miller, a daughter of Ezra aud Lydia Miller. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Dean are: Bertha May, who married Reuben Helvie, an oil contractor, and they live in Robinson and have one child; Dor- othy, Charles, Dewey and Roy. Mrs. Dean died September 30, 1903, and is buried in Kirk Ceme- tery, Robinson Township. She was a member of the Christian Church, and lived out in her life the faith that animated her. A devoted wife and mother, her loss is severely felt by her family, while her neighbors miss the kind- hearted, generous friend she always was to them. Mr. Dean is a Democrat and fraternally is a member of the Modern Woodmen.

DEAN, Samuel Albert .- From very small begin- nings great endings often come, and in no field is this more true than in that occupied by the farmer. Many of the most prosperous Illinois farmers began their business life with practically nothing but a pair of strong hands and an active brain. To-day they are numbered among the sub- stantial men of their community, and their fami- lies are living in comfort on the profits from their labors. Samuel Albert Dean is one of these self- made men, born January 22, 1868, one and a quarter miles east of New Hebron, Crawford County, and there he went to the Hebron school and later to the Wilsou district school. He com- menced planting corn with a little mule and a single shovel plow when only uine years of age, and continued to work on the farm until 1901 when be began railroading as a locomotive fire- man on the Illinois Central Railroad from Pales- tine to Effingham. He was also ou the Choctaw. Oklahoma & Gulf Railroad, working out of South McAlester, I. T. He continued in this line until 1906 when he returned to the home farm of 100 acres, and is now residing on it.

On June 24, 1900, Mr. Dean was married to

Ethel Mitchell, born Juue 26, 1880, the ceremony being performed by Justice C. M. Sheddan at the home of W. E. Mitchell. Mr. and Mrs. Dean have three children : Marie Emma, born December 3, 1902; Harry, born November 27, 1904, and Nellie Ruth, born August 24, 1907.

Mr. Dean is a Democrat, and he belongs to the Masonic order. He owns 100 acres of the home- stead, and has a pleasant home. He also owns two lots and one house in Robinson, and a half interest in 240 acres of land with his brother in Cross County, Ark. The home property has oue producing oil well and a big gas well. It is a valuable property and well kept up by Mr. Dean.

The father of Samuel Albert Dean was John Powell Dean, who married Sabrina Ann Parker, a daughter of Samuel Parker, who was boru in Crawford County, January 29, 1841, and died December 2, 1905, on the home farm. The family of John Powell Dean was as follows: Samuel Albert; George Marion, born February 9, 1869; an infant son who died August 4, 1870; Laura Emeline, born September 20. 1871, and who mar- ried J. C. Furman, a farmer of Robinson Town- ship; and an infant daughter who died June 1, 1874.

W. E. Mitchell, the father of Mrs. Dean, was born in Lawrence County, Ind., while his wife, Martha Dispenett, was born in Licking County, Ohio. They had the following children: Mary Irene, born February 22, 1863; twins, William Henry and Margaret Phoebe, born June 10, 1865 ; John A., born June 20, 1867; Jacob E., born October 14, 1869; Joseph Andrew, born in 1871; Martha Jane, born in 1873 ; Charles E., born Sep- tember 30, 1876; Merritt Mahlou, born December 16, 1878, and Ethel, wife of Mr. Dean. By a former marriage with Maria Dispenett, Mr. Mitchell had one child, Isaac W., born October 28, 1857. Two of Mrs. Dean's brothers ( William H., Joseph Andrew) are deceased, and also one of her sisters (Martha Jane). Mr. Mitchell learned the trade of bricklaying and making in 1852. and did the brickwork on many of the older houses in Robinson, including those of A. P. Woodworth, E. Callahan, A. H. Jones and S. D. Meserve. He has long been one of the foremost men of Robinson, a man with a wide outlook, successful in his business undertakings, and kind in heart and action. He is honored by his large circle of acquaintances and friends, and has done much towards advancing the development of his locality.

Mr. John Powell Dean has a fine record as a soldier. He enlisted in April, 1861, in General Grant's old regiment, the Twenty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and after serving three years, was mustered out in 1864 in Georgia. Besides other engagements in which he participated was the battle of Stone River, where he was wounded in the left hand. He was a brave soldier and could look back with pleasure on the service he rendered his country. He was born June 19, 1838. and died March 16, 1899, while his wife died December 2, 1905, both passing away at the home of Samuel Albert Dean.

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DEE, Harry F .- While the ranks of the Grand Army of the Republic are gradually thinning, a new order is springing up to keep green the memory of the veterans, and that is the one organized by their sons. Next to being an old soldier of the Civil War, it is the highest honor to be a son of one, and among those of Craw- ford County who enjoy this distinction is Harry F. Dee, a farmer and stock-raiser of 'Section 5, Oblong Township, and son of George T. Dee, an extended sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Harry F. Dee was born in Oblong Township. and was reared and educated in that township, where he was. married May 28, 1899, to Miss Clyde Buck, a daughter of J. H. Bnck of Oblong Township. Mrs. Dee was educated in Oblong Township and at Effingham College, and is a charming and cultivated lady.

Mr. and Mrs. Dee are the parents of the fol- lowing children : Sarah Lois, born December 28, 1899; Aby, born October 17, 1902; John, born October 21, 1904, and an infant who died October 24, 1901. Mr. Dee has a portion of the old home- stead which he devotes to general farming and stock-raising, and his success as a farmer and stockman is due to his industry. thrift and thor- ough knowledge of his work. He is a member of the Sons of Veterans, and takes an active part in the work of that organization. In October, 1908, Mr. Dee moved, with his family, to the village of Oblong, which is now his home.

DEE, Orlando .- To be successful in any line of life wins commendation, but when a man achieves it by tilling the soil and making it fertile, he has accomplished much. Crawford County, Ill., has as fine a class of farmers as any locality in the Union, and among them may justly be mentioned Orlando Dee of Section 5, Oblong Township, who was born on his present farm, April 3, 1869, a son of George T. Dee. deceased, who was a farmer and old settler of Oblong Township. George T. Dee was born in Ohio, February 1, 1837, and was reared and educated in his native State. In 1860 he came to Crawford County with his father, Madison Dee, but the following year he enlisted in Company F, Fifth Illinois Cavalry, serving four years and one month. After this long and gallant service, he returned home in the latter part of 1865, and bought the present home of his son Orlando, consisting of S2 acres. all covered with timber. This he cleared and cul- tivated, at one time owned 229 acres and was very prosperous. George T. Dee was married in Oblong Township to Sarah McCrillis, a native of Crawford County. Their children were as fol- lows : Rollie, an unnamed infant. Orlando. Pearl, Retta, and Harry, all born on the homestead. Here the father lived until his death, which oc- curred April 13, 1901, he being then sixty-four years old. He was a member of the G. A. R., and took an active part in its affairs. In politics he was a Republican and his religious home was with the Universalist Church. He was a good man, just, earnest, aiming to live each day to

God and man, and when he died the neighborhood lost one of its most worthy citizens.

After receiving an excellent common school education, Orlando Dee worked with his father on the farm, and was married April 11, 1887, to Jennie Belle Brooks, who was born in Oblong Township. She is the adopted danghter of Elijah Brooks, her parents having died when she was a child. Mr. and Mrs. Dee have one son, Lester, born March 15, 1890.

Mr. Dee's homestead consists of 40 acres, on which he has made all the improvements, and has a very pleasant home and good barns and other buildings. Oil was discovered on his prop- erty in 1906, and he has three productive wells. In politics Mr. Dee is a Republican, is a man of enterprise and industry and is very much inter- ested in local affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Dee are very hospitable, and their home is always open to their friends, as well as to the stranger who seeks entertainment.

DEES, Stanley .- Successful as a farmer and stock-raiser, although still a young man, prom- inent in township affairs and happy in his family. Stanley Dees is a good example of the farmer of to-day as he is found in Crawford County. Ill. He resides on his fine farm, on Section 21, Ob- long Township, where he was born January 26, 1878, a son of Daniel G. Dees (now deceased), who was a farmer of Oblong, born in Calloway Connty, Ky., January 16, 1839. The father of Daniel G. Dees died when the son was about seven years old, his mother having died when he was about three weeks old. After the death of his father Daniel G. went from Kentucky to Adams Connty, Ill., with his brother. From there he went to Hancock County, in 1860, and about 1862 moved to Crawford County and secured land in Oblong Township, which he cleared and placed under cultivation. Later he bought 160 acres. to which he moved and which he cultivated. His marriage occurred in Oblong Township. to Amilda Hill, who bore him three children. two of whom are deceased, the one living being Ella. The first Mrs. Dees died in Oblong Township in 1874, and on December 28, 1876, he married Viola Caldwell, born in Licking County, Ohio. She was three years of age when she came to Crawford County, and there she was reared to young womanhood. Mrs. Dees was a danghter of Hugh Caldwell, a farmer and school teacher of Crawford County. Three children were born of this marriage, of whom Stanley Dees was the eldest. Of the other two. a son died in infancy. and Clyde R. is a farmer of Oblong Township. All were born on the homestead. Daniel G. Dees was a life-long Democrat. At one time he was a member of the Knights of Honor. His death occurred October 18, 1903, when he was sixty- four years.old.

Stanley Dees was educated in his neighborhood school and spent one year in Austin College at Effingham. Ill. On February 27, 1900, he mar- ried Lillie Dennis, a daughter of Samuel Dennis,

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who was one of the old settlers of Oblong Town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. Dees have these children : Charles Leonard, Dorothy Lois and Henry Clare, all born on the homestead. In addition to the homestead of 100 acres, Mr. Dees owns a half- interest in 400 acres in Fayette Couuty, and is a very successful young farmer and stock-man. In 1906 oil was discovered on his Crawford County land, and he now has twenty-four wells, all producing, and this has greatly enhanced the value of his property. He is a Democrat and a member of the Knights of Pythias.

DENNIS, John William .- When oil was discov- ered in Crawford County, Ill., there was a won- derful rise in the value of land iu that vicinity. Experiments were made, wells were drilled, and the whole face of the county was changed. Many who had been engaged in general farming and stock-raising, found it more profitable to lease their land to oil producing companies; others conducted their own oil business, while still others continued their oil operatious, but at the same time farmed.

Among those fortunate enough to develop oil on his property is John William Dennis of Rob- inson, Ill., who moved here in 1908, from his oil farm in the vicinity of Hardinsville, Ill. This valuable property of 160 acres contains 36 oil wells. Mr. Dennis also owns 150 acres of farm land in Robinson Township, 60 acres in Oblong Township, which have four wells, 166 acres in Greene County, Ind., and 80 acres in Richland County, Ill.

Mr. Deunis was born January 3, 1857, in Craw- ford County, Ill., a son of George aud Catherine (Bowman) Dennis, both natives of Perry County, Ohio, the former born in December, 1830, and the latter April 3, 1833. The parents first resided for a time in their native couuty, after which they removed to Oblong Township, Crawford County, Ill., and still later to Martin Township, where the father died. The mother is now living in Elnora, Ind. The father spent his life as a farmer.

John William Dennis was married at New Hebron, Ill., in 1882, to Amanda Prier, born in Crawford County, Ill .. March 18, 1860. The chil- dren born of this marriage are: Cary Everett, Berlie LeRoy, Harry Raymon, Alta Amelia, Earl Greyson, Gladys Dale, Arthur Harold and Will- iam Edward. Mr. Dennis is a Democrat in poli- tics. The family are members of the United Brethren Church, and are active in the same. During the winter of 1907 and 1908 the Dennis family made a trip through California, and upon their return, in April located in Robinson.

DICK, Alva Truman .- The farmiug interests of any community form a very important factor in the industrial activity and its influence upon outside territory. Illinois as a State is noted for its agricultural standing, and this prominence has been brought about through the industrious efforts of the men who own the broad acres of the many farms. Crawford County has a num-

ber of excellent farmers, and among them is Alva Dick, who owns 115 acres in Honey Creek Town- ship.

The birth of Mr. Dick occurred in Howard County, Ind., March 21. 1870. He is a son of Morgan Maurice Dick, who was born August 8, 1834, in Virginia. In 1872 he came to Honey Creek Township, Crawford County, from Howard County, Ind., and bought a 120-acre farm. Later he added 140 acres to it, and there lived until his death, Jauuary 6, 1908. The maiden name of his wife was Hannah Minerva Buchanan, who was born in Ohio, September 13, 1835, and died January 24, 1895, in Honey Creek Township. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan M. Dick were the parents of the following children : Laura Alice, who died at six years of age; Arthur C., Viola V., Oliver O., Ida May, Minnie Myrtle, who died at twenty- six years of age, Alva T., and Mary Josephine.

Alva T. Dick received a good district school edu- cation, and at the same time working on the farm, and has always been a farmer. On May 5, 1894, he married, at Lawrenceville, Ill., Laura E. Tedford, a daughter of Scott aud Mary Ann (Duncan) Tedford. Mrs. Tedford was a daugli- ter of James Duncan and sister of A. W. Duncan, a druggist of Flat Rock. Mr. and Mrs. Dick have had children as follows: Harriet Louise, born October.20, 1895; Wilma Minerva, born June 23, 1900 ; Arthur Turner and Oliver Truman (twins), born August 29, 1904. Iu political faith Mr. Dick is a Democrat, and has served very acceptably as Township Collector. Fraternally he is a member of the order of Modern Woodmen, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mrs. Dick is a member of the Methodist Church, with which she has been counected for the past ten years. The pleasant home of the family is a substantial residence, and the premises show that a good manager is in charge. On his 115 acres Mr. Dick carries on general farming and devotes special attention to stock-raising. He is a breeder of standard bred trotting horses and, at the pres- ent time, has twenty-two head. the majority of them being registered or eligible to registration.

DICKINSON, William L .- Crawford County is the home of many men who are native sons, but their parents have come to Illinois from other States, filled with the determination to wrest a home and fortune from the new land. They bravely endured all the hardships incident to pioneer life, entered land, cleared it off with axe and plowed with a hand plow drawn by oxen. At first there would be but a few acres under cultivation, but as time progressed, more and more of the acreage would be brought under sub- mission to the plow, and at last a comfortable homestead would result. All this was accom- plished only through unceasing labor and many economic sacrifices. many of which were pitiable. but in the end industry conquered and Illinois, as it is to-day, is the outcome of many just such struggles. It is difficult to realize to-day the immensity of dangers which confronted the pio- neers of the '30s.

J. J. Lindsay

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There were practically no roads in Crawford County in those days, churches and schoolhouses were very scarce, and wild game was still very plentiful. This last proved something of a bless- ing to many, for if it had not been for the fact that deer. prairie chicken and all kinds of birds could he trapped or shot, many of the pioneers would have gone hungry before there was time for crops to ripen. However, through it all these excellent people never lost faith in their religion or themselves, but worked and saved, and in their old age enjoyed comfort and plenty.

William L. Dickinson, of Section 10, Montgom- ery Township, Crawford County, a prosperous farmer, was born in Montgomery Township, January 30, 1862, a son of George W. and Rachel (Conrad) Dickinson, and great-grandson of George Dickenson, who was born in England. The latter at the age of thirteen years ran away from home and, boarding a British man-on-war, came to America where he fonght under General Wash- ington.

George W. Dickinson, the son of George and father of William L .. was born February 7, 1829, in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and nntil he came of age, worked for his board, education and clothes, but upon attaining his majority, began to labor to secure a competency and became a pros- perous man in every respect, owing everything to his own efforts. ( If William L. Dickinson is a "great-grandson of George Dickenson," who came from England, as stated in the preceding para- graph, there would seem to have been one repre- sentative of the family-viz. :- the grandfather of William L .- between the first George and George W. not mentioned in this connection.) When he first came to Crawford County in 1854, George W. worked for Governor A. C. French, then a resident of Palestine, for about two years. He then rented a farm and operated it until he pnr- chased 160 acres in Licking Township, which was principally prairie land. On it he built a log house and lived alone until his marriage, Jan- uary 28. 1857, to Rachel Conrad, daughter of Abraham and Rebecca (Willard) Conrad. His children were as follows: John W., who mar- ried Jemima Martin, daughter of Bethel Martin, a farmer, and they have one child-Dessie Olive ; George J., who married Annie Fife, a danghter of William Fife, a farmer, they have these chil- dren-Maud, Lizzie, Mabel, Emma, Rebecca, George, William and Mary ; Rebecca E., married Frank Seaney and they have one child-Myrtle ; William L .; Jasper N .. married Dorothy Ford, and they have two children-Beulah and Myrtle; and Charles A., who married Dessie D. Lackey, and they have three children-Jasper M., Frank E. and Macie. George W. Dickinson died August 13. 1908. His widow, who was born August 8, 1838, survives, and makes her home with her son, William L. Dickinson.

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Illinois, Crawford County historical and biographical, Part 142

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1058

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1058