Dallas County AlArchives Photo person.....N. H. R. Dawson 1893
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Ann Anderson alabammygrammy@aol.com May 20, 2004, 1:49 pm

Source: Brant & Fuller (1893)
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    N. H. R. DAWSON.-This gentleman is the eldest son of Lawrence E. and Mary
Wilkinson (Rhodes) Dawson, and was born in Charleston, S. C., February 14, 1829,
and now resides at Selma, Ala. His father was born in Charleston, December 9,
1799, and was the son of John Dawson, Jr., and Mary Huger. John Dawson, Jr., was
the eldest son of John Dawson and Joanna Broughton Monck. John Dawson was a
native of Westmoreland, England, and was born April 14, 1735, and emigrated to
the colony of South Carolina when quite a young man, and settled in Charleston,
where he became a successful and wealthy merchant. He was a member of the South
Carolina convention of May, 1788, which adopted the Federal constitution of the
United States. His sons-in-law, Col. John Glaze and Capt. William Postell, were
delegates to the same convention. He married October 9, 1760, Joanna Broughton
Monck, the only daughter of Col. Thomas Monck, and granddaughter of Col. Thomas
Broughton, who was governor of the colony of South Carolina from May, 1735, to
his death in 1738. His wife was Anne Johnson, the only daughter of Gen.
Nathaniel Johnson, who was a distinguished soldier and a member of the British
house of commons; governor of the Leeward Islands in 1689, and afterward
governor of South Carolina from 1703 to 1709. He died in 1713, leaving one son,
Robert Johnson, who was the last governor of the colony under the proprietary
government. John Dawson and his wife, Joanna Monck, lived to old age, and died
in Charleston, he on May 7, 1812, and she on October 9, 1819, leaving three sons
and one daughter surviving them. Their descendants are found in South Carolina,
Georgia, Alabama and Arkansas. John Dawson, Jr., was born in Charleston, July 8,
1765, and was a prominent merchant and citizen of his native city. He was
intendant of Charleston for three successive years, from September, 1806, to
September, 1809. His wife, Mary Huger, was a daughter of John Huger and
Charlotte Motte, who were descended from Daniel Huger and Jacob Motte, who were
among the Huguenot immigrants who came to South Carolina from France, after the
revocation of the edict of Nantes, in 1786. John Huger filled many positions of
honor in society, was a member of the council of safety during the Revolution,
and intendent of Charleston in 1792, and a member of the state convention which
adopted the Federal constitution. His brothers, Isaac, Francis and Benjamin,
were prominent in the Revolutionary war. The latter was killed at the siege of
Charleston in May, 1779. Jacob Motte was treasurer of the province for over
thirty years prior to the Revolutionary war, and had two sons, Isaac and
Charles, who were distinguished soldiers in that contest. One of them, Maj.
Charles Motte, was killed at Savannah, October, 1779. Lawrence E. Dawson married
Mary Wilkinson Rhodes, a daughter of Dr. Nathaniel H. Rhodes and Mary Hamilton,
of Beaufort. Her grandfather, John Rhodes, came to South Carolina from England
in 1760, and married Mary Talbird of Beaufort. He was an influential citizen,
and took an active part in the Revolutionary war. Mary Hamilton was a daughter
of Paul Hamilton and Mary Wilkinson. Though very young when the Revolutionary
war commenced, he volunteered as a soldier, and served during the entire
struggle. He was a member of the state convention which adopted the Federal
constitution; was comptroller-general of the state from 1800 to 1804, and was
governor from 1804 to 1808; and was secertary of the United States navy during
the first term of Mr. Madison's administration. It will thus be seen that
Lawrence E. Dawson and his wife were descended from, and connected by
intermarriage with, many families that were distinguished for several
generations in the history of South Carolina from its earliest settlement.
Lawrence E. Dawson was liberally educated and studied law with his kinsman, Col.
William Drayton Of Charleston, S. C., and was admitted to the bar January 12,
1821. He was also a graduate of the law school of Judge Gould, of Litchfield,
Conn. He resided in Charleston until 1829, when he removed to Beaufort district,
and practiced his profession there until 1834, when he was forced by ill health
to retire from a large and lucrative business. He was several times a member of
the legislature of his native state, and took an active part in the exciting
political contest which resulted in nullification, giving the weight of his
influence and talents, as a state rights man, to what he believed to be true
doctrine of the constitution. He came to Alabama in 1842, and settled at
Carlowville, Dallas county, where he died February 8, 1848. Soon after his
removal to Alabama, he resumed the practice of his profession, but survived only
a few years. He died in the prime of his manhood and usefulness, universally
respected and lamented, having won a leading position at the bar of his adopted
state. Judge O'Neall, in an extended notice of him, in his Bench and Bar of
South Carolina, says: "He was gifted with a fine manly person. He was tall and
well formed, and possessed features exceedingly striking and attractive. His
manners were at once so graceful, and his general appearance so dignified, that
no one could see him without feeling that he was In the presence of a finished
gentleman, in the true sense of the term. When he first appeared before the
supreme court of Alabama, the bench and bar were struck forcibly by his person
and address, and the remark
was general: `There stands a perfect model of a high-toned, elevated, and
accomplished advocate of South Carolina, upon whom seems to have fallen the
mantle of Hale and Mansfield.' The language of Mr. Dawson at the bar was
energetic and lofty; his voice sonorous and manly; his action appropriate and
full of authority. He had the rare gift of combining the eloquence of diction
and a flow of melodious and well considered periods, the ornaments of speech,
with convincing, clear and perspicuous reasoning." He was a consistent and
devout member of the Protestant Episcopal church and died in its communion. His
wife survived him but a few years and died in June, 1851. She was a woman of
rare intellectual gifts, a devoted wife and mother, and a sincere Christian.
They left four children; the subject of this sketch; Mary Huger, who married C.
M. Lide and died at Talladega, Ala., in August, 1887; Lawrence E., who is a
farmer and resides near Camden, Ark., and Col. Reginald H. Dawson, of Camden,
Ala., who is a lawyer by profession, and was solicitor of the eleventh circuit
from 1860 to 1864. He was lieutenant-colonel of the Thirteenth Alabama regiment,
in the Confederate service, and was specially mentioned, in general orders, for
gallantry in the battle of Seven Pines, where he was wounded and had his horse
killed under him. He has been for several terms president of the state board of
inspectors of convicts, and of the penitentiary, and has administered his duties
with marked success and credit. He is in the prime of life and is highly
respected as a man and public officer. The village of Carlowville, Where Mr.
Lawrence E. Dawson resided, was settled by a colony of South Carolinians, and
was noted for the culture, refinement, and generous hospitality of its citizens.
In this community the boyhood of the subject of this sketch was passed,
surrounded by all the social and educational advantages that southern youth then
enjoyed. After pursuing his studies at the local schools, he was matriculated at
St. Joseph's college, Mobile, Ala., and left that excellent institution of
learning well equipped for his future battle in life, which finally placed him
among the leading representatives of the legal profession in Alabama. He at once
commenced the study of law in the office of his father. The town of Cahaba was,
at this period, the capital of the great and wealthy county of Dallas, and was
justly considered one of the centers of wealth, intelligence and refinement in
Alabama. It had at one time been the capital of the state, and many names,
famous in Alabama, were associated with its history; among these may be
mentioned those of such gentlemen as William L. Yancey, Edmund W. Pettus, Joel
Early Mathews, John T. Morgan, George R. Evans, George W. Gayle, Daniel S. Troy,
C. C. Pegues, William Hunter, Charles G. Edwards, and others, who, in their day
and generation, took a conspicuous part in shaping the history of Alabama. It
was here that Col. Dawson, after the death of his father, located, and amid such
surroundings grew up to vigorous manhood. He entered the office of Hon. George
R. Evans, and in 1851 was admitted to practice. From this time he was prominent
in all the public affairs of the town and county in which he resided, and
pursued his profession with energy and success. In 1852 he was married to Miss
Anne E. Mathews, a lady of rare mental and personal traits of character. She was
a daughter of Joel Early Mathews, a gentleman of broad philanthropy,
comprehensive intellect, and a firm believer in the possibilities of southern
development, demonstrated by his large investments in home enterprises, one of
which, the Mathews cotton mill, of Selma, which he founded, and which is named
in his honor, stands as a lasting monument to his intelligent foresight and
public spirit. By the marriage of Col. Dawson with his first wife, one child was
the issue, Elizabeth Mathews, now the wife of Dr. John P. Furniss, of Selma, who
stands in the front rank of his profession. Mrs. Dawson died in October, 1854,
loved and lamented by all who knew her. Her sun set while it was yet day. In
June, 1857, Col. Dawson was married to Miss Mary E. Tarver, daughter of Benjamin
J. Tarver, of Dallas county. This estimable lady died in May, 1860, leaving one
child, Mary Tarver, who married Jefferson D. Jordan, now a citizen of
Chattanooga, Tenn. Immediately after his second marriage, Col. Dawson moved to
Selma, where he continued the practice of his profession, in partnership with
Messrs. E. W. Pettus and C. C. Pegues of Cahaba. In May, 1862, Col. Dawson was
united in marriage to Miss Elodie Breck Todd, a daughter of Robert S. Todd and
Elizabeth S. Humphreys, of Lexington, Ky., and a half-sister of Mrs. Abraham
Lincoln. She was a granddaughter of Rev. John Brown and Margaret Preston, of
Staunton, Va. This lady, a lovely type of southern womanhood, had her whole
heart enlisted in the southern cause. Two of her brothers were gallant officers
in the Confederate service, and laid down their lives for the cause of the
south. Capt. Samuel Todd was killed at the battle of Shiloh, where Albert Sidney
Johnston fell, and Capt. Alexander Todd at the, battle of Baton Rouge, while
serving on the staff of his brother-in-law, Gen. Ben. Hardin Helm, of Kentucky.
To the efforts of Mrs. Dawson was largely due the erection of the Confederate
monument, in Live Oak cemetery, in the city of Selma, in memory of the gallant
Alabamians who gave their lives for their country. She was president of the
Ladies' Memorial association, of Selma, and untiring in her efforts to secure
the means necessary to erect the monument. During her last illness, she
requested that she should be buried in sight of this tribute to southern valor.
She died in November, 1877, and today her beautiful monument stands close by the
one she aided to build, and the two are closely associated together. Her
personal charms were only equaled by the lovely graces which adorned her
character, which won the affection and admiration of all who knew her. In 1855,
know-nothing-ism was rampant in Alabama, and swept Dallas county like the waves
of such political vagaries from time to time are apt to do. Mr. Dawson was one
of the democratic candidates for the legislature, and made a splendid race,
coming within a few votes of election. In 1860, he was a delegate to the
Charleston convention, which ended in the breach between the Breckinridge and
Douglas wings of the democratic party, and withdrew from the convention with the
Alabama delegation. He was also a delegate, in June, 1860, to the Baltimore
convention, which nominated Breckinridge and Lane, and took an active part in
the campaign which followed. Upon the secession of Alabama, Col. Dawson was
chosen captain of the "Cadets" and left for Virginia. This fine company formed
part of the Fourth Alabama infantry, which gained for itself such renown during
the war. Subsequently, during the years 1863-1864, and until the close of the
war, he commanded a battalion of cavalry. During this period he was elected to
the legislature, and returned to his command at the close of his legislative
services. After the war, Col. Dawson resumed the practice of his profession, in
the city of Selma, with his partner, Gen. Edmund W. Pettus, and no law firm in
Alabama ever gained a higher reputation. Under the new regime, Col. Dawson took
an active part in southern politics, and, through the dark days of
reconstruction, was ever in the front, battling for the cause of local
self-government and the success of his party. In 1872, he was an elector on the
presidential ticket, and made an able canvass. For ten years he was a member of
the state democratic executive committee. From 1884 to 1886, he was chairman of
that committee, and rendered important service in the canvass of 1884, which
resulted in an overwhelming victory for Cleveland and Hendricks. In 1880, Col.
Dawson, without opposition, was elected to the state legislature, and was chosen
speaker of the house of representatives. He filled this position with ability
and dignity, attaching to himself friends all over the state by his uniform
courtesy and impartiality. Col. Dawson was supported by a large following, in
the democratic state convention of 1882, as a candidate for governor, but the
choice of the convention finally centered on that gallant patriot and soldier,
Gen. E. A. O'Neal. But it was in 1886 that the most interesting contest for the
gubernatorial nomination, in the history of Alabama up to that time, took place,
in which Col. Dawson figured honorably and conspicuously. There were four
candidates: Dawson of Dallas, Henry D. Clayton, and John M. McKluat of Barbour,
and Thomas Seay of Hale, all distinguished citizens of the state. Dawson led in
the convention from the start, with Seay the hindmost man, and each of the other
candidates with a large following. Ballot after ballot was taken, and it looked
for a while as if there would be a deadlock; but the break at last came in this
memorable race, ending on the second day, in the nomination of Mr. Seay. It was
an exciting contest, but was conducted in admirable spirit, Col. Dawson coming
out of it with great credit and without the slightest loss of popularity. As
indicative of the spirit with which he accepted defeat, and in keeping with the
character of the man, the following letter was addressed to each of his
supporters in the convention:

   Dear Sir: - The result of the convention was a disappointment; but I accept
its decision as the verdict of the highest party tribunal, and will work
earnestly and zealously, as I have always done, for the success of the nominees.
I would be ungrateful, did I not feel proud of the unflagging support given me
by my friends in this protracted and heated struggle. Their fidelity and loyalty
have robbed my defeat of any sting, and I am deeply grateful to them all. To
you, personally, I beg to return my thanks, and to assure you of my sincere
gratitude and esteem.

                     Yours truly,
                      N. H. R. DAWSON.

   The Bar association of Alabama is distinguished for ability in the south,
numbering among its members many who have become eminent in the legal
profession. Col. Dawson was chosen its president in 1884-85, and discharged his
duties to the entire satisfaction of his professional brethren. Col. Dawson has
ever been a warm supporter of the common school system of Alabama, and an
especial friend of the State university. In 1876, he was appointed, by Gov.
George H. Houston, one of the trustees of this institution, which position he
still holds. He has aided in bringing it to its present standard of excellence
among American colleges. In August, 1886, President Cleveland appointed Col.
Dawson, without his solicitation, to the office of United Slates commissioner of
education. On assuming charge of this bureau, he immediately set to work to make
it of that practical use to educational interests for which the office was
created. The affairs of the bureau were ably administered, and drew forth strong
and favorable comments from the leading educators of the country. One of the
most useful pieces of work, during his administration, was the history of
education in all the states of the Union. These monographs were prepared
separately for each state, and were illustrated with engravings of their leading
colleges and educational buildings, with accurate sketches of their history.
They are not filled with the dry details of the ordinary official document, but
form a series of interesting volumes and are an invaluable contribution to the
educational history and literature of the country. The state of North Carolina,
in appreciation of this excellent work, as it related to that commonwealth,
presented the commissioner with a complete set of the colonial records of that
state, by resolution of the general assembly. Columbia college, that old and
honored institution of learning, in New York, in token of his efficient services
to the cause of education, at the celebration of its centennial anniversary, on
the 13th of April, 1887, conferred upon him the honorary degree of doctor of
letters. After the inauguration of President Harrison, Col. Dawson, in March,
1889, tendered his resignation as commissioner of education, which was accepted
in August of that year. Since that time he has actively pursued the practice of
his profession, looking after his large property interests, remaining out of
active participation in politics, until the general election in August, 1892,
when he was elected to the house of representatives, and has taken his seat in
the general assembly for the third time as one of the members from Dallas
county. Col. Dawson is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church, and for a
number of years has been one of the wardens of St. Paul's church, Selma, and has
several times represented the diocese in the general conventions. He is still in
the prime of a vigorous manhood, of tall, commanding figure, well built and
erect, and is a typical southerner in appearance. He is an able lawyer, an
earnst and eloquent speaker, of engaging manners, and fine conversational
powers, and dispenses, in his beautiful home, the elegant hospitalities of a
refined and educated gentleman. He is very popular with young men, for the
kindness and consideration he has always shown them. He is literary in his
tastes, has a large and well selected library, and devotes much of his leisure
to reading and study. Col. Dawson is also a public-spirited citizen and a man of
sterling integrity, taking a deep interest in all public concerns. His
popularity remains unabated among his fellow-citizens, who know and appreciate
his worth. Few men have been more blessed with the favors of fortune, and few of
his contemporaries have made better use of them. His friends hope that long
years of health are in stove for him, and that his future is still to be crowned
with the happiness and usefulness which have attended his past career.

Additional Comments:
from "Memorial Record of Alabama", Vol. I, p. 858-865
Published by
Brant & Fuller (1893)
Madison, WI

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