BIOGRAPHY, Rockbridge County, VA- "D" ********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ********************************************************************** DAVIDSON - Andrew B. Davidson, a native of Botetourt, does not seem to have been of the Kerr's Creek connection or of the family that migrated to Ohio from the lower course of North River. He was born in 1779 and died in 1861, spending all but the earliest years of his life at Lexington. He was graduated from Liberty hall Academy in 1807, and was licensed as a minister the same year. In the same year, also, he was married to Susan Dorman, apparently a sister to Charles P. Dorman. In 1814 he returned to Lexington as a pastor, and was a principal of Ann Smith Academy. All his four sons were alumni of Washington College. General Alexander H. Became a resident of Indiana. Charles B. was an Episcopal clergyman. James D. and Henry G. remained in this county, the former being a lawyer and the latter a physician. Source: A History of Rockbridge County, Virginia by Oren F. Morton, published in 1920. Transcribed and submitted by: "Marilyn B. Headley" , 1997 ************************************************************************************** HENRY G. DAVIDSON, M.D.- deceased- son of Rev. Andrew B. and Susan (Dorman) Davidson, was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, February 1, 1824. He graduated at the University of Virginia, and in 1851 graduated from the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. He practiced medicine in Lexington, establishing an extensive reputation, but in 1869 he abandoned his profession to enter into the prosecution of the insurance business, removing to Richmond and becoming president of the Southern Mutual Insurance Company. After about eight years he returned to Lexington and recommenced the practice of medicine, in connection with insurance, although with greatly impaired health, and he remained an invalid until his death, which occurred February 29, 1884. After the close of the war he filled the office of coroner for three years. His services in the war between the States are recorded in the Rockbridge county roster, on another page. In Hampton, Elizabeth City county, Virginia, June 10, 1858, he was joined in wedlock with Kate B. Jordan. She was born in Richmond, Virginia, January 12, 1837, a daughter of Ricks and Sallie (Banks) Jordan. The children of their union are [ ]rquhart, died August 6, 1883; Sallie Banks; Susan D., died in infancy; Henry J., died September 1866; Walter Jordan; Charles Baker and Greenlee. The living children are at home. Mrs. Davidson is a granddaughter of Major G. W. Banks of Revolutionary fame. Her postoffice address is Lexington, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 413. Transcribed and submitted by Angela M. Ruley, ********************************************************************** JOHN DAVIDSON- farmer and stock raiser of Rockbridge county, owning 430 acres on the forks of North and South rivers, and on the Lexington branch of the Richmond & Alleghany R. R., was born in this county, June 1, 1832. he was a son of William and Susan (Kinnear) Davidson, who were natives of the county, and are now deceased. His mother died in June, 1864, aged about sixty-one years, and his father died in July, 1873, aged eighty years. In the civil war John Davidson was a member of Company F, 1st Virginia Cavalry, and was once wounded. He had two brothers in the service, both of whom were wounded. In Rockbridge county, May 4, 1859, were recorded the marriage vows of John Davidson and Eliza M. Jasper and in the years that have since ensued six children have been born to them, and death has taken two away: William E. was born May 10, 1861; Susan M., August 1, 1862, died February 17, 1864; John Hubert, November 18, 1863; Charles Edward, December 6, 1866; Givens K., May 27, 1871; Gertrude W., April 12, 1877, died October 24, 1880. The wife of Mr. Davidson was born in Rockingham county, Virginia on Christmas Day, 1838, a daughter of William W. and Eliza M. (Holtzman) Jasper, of that county. Her mother died in January, 1839. John Davidson's postoffice address is South River, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 413. Transcribed and submitted by Angela M. Ruley, ********************************************************************** LEWIS C. DAVIDSON- was a son of Andrew B. and Susan B. (Dorman) Davidson, both of whom lived to the age of fourscore and two years. The former died in 1861, and the latter died November 1, 1865. The birth of Lewis C. was in Rockbridge county, September 16, 1827 the date, and his home has always been in this county. He was justice of the peace in Lexington district, 1858-66 inclusive, and before the civil war was a militia colonel. At the outbreak of that strife he entered the service as captain of the "Rockbridge Rangers." and he led his men through the battles of second Manassass, Seven Pines, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Anne River, Cold Harbor, Gettysburg, Mt. Jackson, Cedar Creek, Yellow Tavern, etc. He had two horses killed under him in the battle of Gettysburg. In Lexington, February 17, 1864, Mary A. Logan became the wife of Lewis C. Davidson, and to them eight children have been given: Llyod, born June 17, 1865; Lewis W., October 30, 1866; Annie G., August 6, 1876; Andrew B., August 31, 1878; Charles H., July 4, 1880- all at home. The wife of Mr. Davidson was born in Winchester, Virginia, September 30, 1839, a daughter of Llyod and Ann G. (Baker) Logan. Her mother died February 25, 1873 at the age of sixty-two. Lewis C. Davidson owns and cultivates 260 acres of land, on the Buffalo road, three miles from Lexington, is an extensive stock-raiser, making a specialty of horses and cattle. His postoffice address is Lexington, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 413. Transcribed and submitted by Angela M. Ruley, ********************************************************************** PERCY G. DAVISON- is a son of George Glentworth Davison, who was born in Seneca county, New York, and came to Rockbridge county, Virginia in 1850, and married Hester Ann Wright, who came here in 1851. Their son Percy G. was born in Portsmouth, Norfolk county, Virginia on Christmas Day, 1852. Since he was two years of age his home has been in Rockbridge county. In Gordonsville, Orange county, Virginia, September 11, 1877, Percy G. Davison was united in marriage with Magdalena C. Palmer, and in the years that have ensued three children have been given them: George Glentworth, born September 9, 1878; Annie, October 6, 1880; Leonard Palmer, August 3, 1883. The birth of Mrs. Davison was in Rockbridge county, the date July 6, 1854, and Leonard S. and Mary J. (Wallace) palmer her parents. Her mother was born in Rockbridge county, and her father born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, died in 1856, aged about forty years. Mrs. Davison is related to the Hoffman family, early settlers and large land-holders of this county, their early settlement commemorated in the name of "Hoffmans run". The estate now known as "Colalto" was once owned by the Hoffman family, afterwards the seat of Governor McDowell. Her maternal ancestors, the Wallaces, were natives of Scotland. Adam Wallace and his brother, great uncles of Mrs. Davison, were killed in the 1812 war. Percy G. Davison lives three miles from Lexington, on the Staunton road, on the "Glengary Farm", containing 230 acres of rich land. He makes a specialty of registered thoroughbred short-horn cattle. Four years ago there was found on this farm an English coin, date 1742, about the size of our silver half-dollar. Percy G. Davison's postoffice address is Lexington, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 413. Transcribed and submitted by Angela M. Ruley, ********************************************************************** JOHN F. DEACON- son of Douglass C. and Margaret A. (Saville) Deacon, was born on Buffalo Creek, Rockbridge county, August 27, 1851. Hannah E. Hill, daughter of Jonas I. and Elizabeth N. (Alphin) Hill, was born in Rockbridge county, December 29, 1853. In this county, February 17, 1876, John F. Deacon and Hannah E. Hill were united in marriage, and in the home established by their union are three sons; Courtney O., born December 1, 1876; Ernest D., born August 1, 1878; Percy A., born June 20, 1883. This home is in Walkers Creek district, where Mr. Deacon owns a farm of 40[1] acres and gives time to its cultivation. His postoffice address is Rockbridge Baths, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 413. Transcribed and submitted by Angela M. Ruley, ********************************************************************** DAVID DICE- son of Jacob and Sarah (Creek) Dice, was born in Rockbridge county, on Walkers creek, February 4, 1838. He married Emma C. Fulton, who was born in Augusta county, Virginia, June 2, 1838, a daughter of Harvey and Ellen (Smiley) Fulton. Their marriage was solemnized near Newport, Augusta county, November 29, 1869, and their children were born: John W., September 7, 1871; Charles Sidney, June 27, 1873; Walter Fulton, March 14, 1877. John W. died on the 3d of May 1872. David Dice owns and farms 203 acres of land on Walkers creek, with his postoffice address at Brownsburg, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 413. Transcribed and submitted by Angela M. Ruley, ********************************************************************** GEORGE W. DICE- son of Jacob and Sarah V. (Creek) Dice, was born in Rockbridge county, June 16, 1845. He entered the service of the Confederacy, Company H, 14th Virginia Cavalry, under McCausland, and performed the soldier's part in the drama of the internecine war before he reached the age of twenty years. At Staunton, county seat of Augusta county, Virginia, January 10, 1878, he was united in marriage with Rebecca Roberson, and in the years that have ensued three children have been given to their keeping: Mary Agnes, born October 13, 1879; William Anderson, December 8, 1881; Brisco Clarence, November 22, 1883. Anderson and Mary (Lucas) Roberson are the parents of Rebecca, wife of Mr. Dice, and she was born in Rockbridge county, July 17, 1851. George W. Dice has a farm of 216 acres of good land on "Dutch Hollow", and his postoffice is Brownsburg, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 413. Transcribed and submitted by Angela M. Ruley, ********************************************************************** CALVIN MORGAN DOLD- was born in Lexington, Rockbridge county, September 12, 1843, son of Samuel Miller Dold, who was born on Har creek, Nelson county, Virginia, August 27, 1798, and came to Rockbridge county in 1820. The mother of Calvin M., whose maiden name was Elizabeth McFadden, was born near Steeles Tavern, now Midway, Augusta county, Virginia, April 21, 1799, and came to Rockbridge county in 1818. In Harrisonburg, Rockingham county, Virginia, April 11, 1866, Calvin M. Dold was united in marriage with Emma G., daughter of Henry and Maria M. E. (Ettinger) Ott. She was born in Harrisonburg, November 3, 1844, and her mother was born in that city, her father in Hagerstown, Maryland. Her father died in April, 1867. the children of Mr. and Mrs. Dold are four living, one deceased: Henry Ott, born January 24, 1867; William McDowell, born January 20, 1869; died October 17, 1871; Calvin Graham, born March 31, 1870; Samuel Miller, October 12, 1872; Newman Lurty, October 26, 1874. C. M. Dold was elected mayor of Lexington and served six years; was out two years, and then re-elected and served four years more- making ten years in all. March 3, 1862, he entered the Confederate service, enlisting as a private in the First Rockbridge Artillery. January, 1864, he was made clerk of ordnance department, with the rank and pay of a sergeant. Was wounded in left arm at Kernstown, March 23, 1862; wounded at first Winchester, May 25, 1862, in right thigh; wounded in right leg at Cold harbor, June 1864; wounded in right side at High Bridge, near Appomattox, April 6, 1865; surrendered with Army of Northern Virginia. He is a prominent member of Mountain City Lodge, A.F. and A.M., having taken the thirty-second degree in that order; is a member of Stephenson Commandery at Staunton; has served six years as Grand Master of the Lexington Lodge, District Deputy two years and High Priest of the Royal Arch Chapter three years. He is also a member of Rockbridge Lodge, Independent Order Odd Fellows, No. 58, at Lexington. Both himself and his wife are members of the First Presbyterian Church, she having become a member in 1862 and in 1864. The following notice of his father's death was published in the Lexington Gazette and copied by the Central Presbyterian, of Richmond, Virginia, and the New York Observer, of New York City: DEATH OF MR. SAMUEL M. DOLD.-- This well-known citizen of our town died at his home here on Friday last, February 9 [1883], in the eighty-fourth year of his age, having been born August 22, 1798. Mr. Dold was probably our most successful business man, having accumulated by his untiring industry, wise management and prudent living, a very large estate. He came to Lexington in 1818, and one year afterwards connected himself with the Presbyterian Church, which had just been organized here the year previous. Of Mr. Dold's methodical business habits, of his courtesy and gentlemanly deportment towards all classes in the community, it is needless for us to speak. He was such a prominent figure in our local history as to need no eulogy at our hands. At a meeting of the directors of the Bank of Lexington, the following paper was adopted: "Resolved, That we have heard with profound grief of the death of Mr. Samuel Miller Dold, one of our most venerable and worthy citizens, and for many years, and until quite recently, an active and useful member of our board. His ripe experience, his excellent judgment, his correct business qualifications and his accurate knowledge of the community constituted him a most valuable director of this bank, and his uniform kindness and courtesy of manner enlisted for him the kindest feeling of every member of the board. We hereby tender to his family our warmest sympathy in their bereavement." In transmitting the above minute to the family of Mr. Dold, I beg leave to assure them of my personal regard and veneration for him. I am, with great respect, you obedient servant, A. L. NELSON, president of Bank of Lexington. The mother of Calvin M. died March 28, 1871. He is extensively engaged in business in Lexington as broker, fire insurance agent and merchant. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 413-414. Transcribed and submitted by Angela M. Ruley, ********************************************************************** JOHN DOREN- son of Patrick and Catherine (Thompson) Doren, is a native of Ireland, born in County Donegal, June 24, 1833. March 5, 1852, in Mecklenburg county, North Carolina. He married Joanna, daughter of James Nolan, who was born in Mecklenburg county, February 13, 1829. In 1862 they made their home with one daughter in Rockbridge county, and two children have since been born to them: Mary Elizabeth was born August 20, 1855, and lives in Rockbridge county; Josie, born September 11, 1863, and James, born October 19, 1865, live at home. John Doren enlisted in May, 1861, in the 1st Rockbridge Artillery, and served with honor till the close of the war. He was three times wounded- in the right arm, in the forehead, and the third time in the breast, the ball coming out between the shoulders. His occupation is farming, his postoffice address is Timber Ridge, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 413. Transcribed and submitted by Angela M. Ruley, ********************************************************************** DORMAN - The Dormans have been very few in number, yet influential. Charles P. Dorman, a lawyer and editor, was in the Virginia Assembly thirteen years and was an adjutant in the war of 1812. His son James B., born 1825 died 1893, graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1843 and became an attorney. The war with Mexico aroused his spirit of adventure, and he served as sergeant-major in the Texas Rangers of colonel Wood. he was present at the capture of Monterey. Returning to Lexington, he was sent in 1861 to the State Convention as a Union man. After war came on he went into the confederate army as a major in the 9th Virginia Infantry. Major Dorman was a fluent speaker and a man of unusual ability. He had strong literary tastes and was a master of the English language, whether written or spoken. He was married in 1871 to Mrs. Mary L. White Newman. During the last ten years of his life he was Clerk of the Supreme Court of Appeals and lived in Staunton. Source: A History of Rockbridge County, Virginia by Oren F. Morton, published in 1920. Transcribed and submitted by: "Marilyn B. Headley" , 1997 ************************************************************************************** DUNLAP - Alexander Dunlap, the first settler on the Calfpasture and first owner of the site of Goshen, died in 1744, leaving four children, John, Robert, Alexander, and Elizabeth. In 1776 John Dunlap visited Ohio on a prospection tour, and acquired 7,000 acres in Ross county, the smaller of the two tracts including the old Shawnee town of Chillicothe. He also secured 1436 acres in Kentucky, but was furthermore the largest landholder in Rockbridge. He was married to Ann Clark, who was related to General George Rogers Clark, the ³Hannibal of the West², and his brother, Colonel William Clark of the famous Lewis and Clark expedition. Both these celebrities made visits to the Dunlaps. The family home was a large three-story brick mansion, built soon after the revolution and on the site of the Victoria furnace near Goshen. The house was torn down many years ago. The only member of this Dunlap family to stay in Rockbridge was James. Robert, second son of the pioneer, fought at Point Pleasant and was an ensign in the battle of Guilford, where he was killed. It is said he refused to obey an order to retreat. He owned Aspen Grove and one other plantation in Rockbridge. His widow married James Coursey. Of the seven children of Robert Dunlap, Alexander settled in Monroe and Robert and John in Augusta. Anne and Margaret went with their husbands to Kentucky and Missouri, respectively. Only William and Agnes remained in this county, but the children of William went to Missouri. Robert, Jr. organized the first temperance society in the Valley of Virginia. William, Jr. a son of William, was one of the first men to explore Kansas. A grandson of William, Jr. is Boutwell Dunlap, of San Francisco, a lawyer and historian and formerly consul for Argentina. He is the author of a valuable contribution to American history: ³Augusta County in the History of the United States.² Among the progeny in the female line, in this family of the Dunlaps, are the Reverend O. E. Brown, of Vanderbilt University, church historian, and the Reverend W. M. Morrison, the missionary to Africa, whose exposure of the atrocities on the Congo roused the government of the United States and Europe to take action against the king of the Belgians. Alexander Dunlap, Jr., went in early life to Kentucky, and later to Brown county, Ohio, where he built one of the very first houses of worship in that state of the Disciples communion. The four Dunlaps, Samuel, David, Robert, and John, who purchased land in the Borden Tract are believed to have been related to Alexander of the Calfpasture. They seem to have moved to the Carolinas. John Dunlap came from Campbelltown, Scotland, in 1775, and settled at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Robert, one of his seven children, was born just before the family came to America, and located near Middlebrook in Augusta. Madison Dunlap, his son, came to Kerr's Creek about 1830. John Dunlap was grandfather to Major-General John D. Stevenson, of the United States army. He was great grandfather to Brigadier-General Robert N. Getty, of the same army, and to John R. Sterrett, the Greek scholar and archaeologist. Few families in the South can surpass the Dunlaps of Rockbridge in exhibiting so many members who have been large landowners, or have been conspicuous in public, professional, or military life. The Dunlaps dispute with one other Rockbridge connection the honor of furnishing the most ministers to the Southern Presbyterian Church. Source: A History of Rockbridge County, Virginia by Oren F. Morton, published in 1920. Transcribed and submitted by: "Marilyn B. Headley" , 1997 ************************************************************************************** JOHN T. DUNLOP- was born in Frederick county, Maryland, February 25, 1842, settled in Rockbridge county in 1865, and is one of the largest wheat raisers and cattle dealers in the county, having a beautiful estate on North river, opposite Green Forest. He was a son of Colonel Henry and Catherine L. A. (Thomas) Dunlop, both born in Maryland, and now deceased, and is a nephew of ex-Governor Francis Thomas, of Maryland. John T. Dunlop enlisted as private in Company G, 7th Virginia Cavalry, Confederate army, and was wounded in an attack on a block-house in Hardy (now Mineral) county, West Virginia, April 27, 1863. After that he served in several engagements as volunteer, though disabled, acting as guide, scout and courier. In 1865, at Green Forest, Rev. James D. Thomas joined in wedlock John T. Dunlop and Mary G. Glasgow. The bride was born at Green Forest, a daughter of Robert and Catherine T. (Anderson) Glasgow, the former a native of Rockbridge county and the latter from near Amsterdam, Botetourt county,, both now deceased. She is a descendant of John McNutt, an early governor of Novia Scotia before the Revolution, and is buried in Lexington cemetery. (Howe's History of Virginia says he is buried at Falling Spring, which is incorrect.) Mr. Dunlop had one brother killed in the civil war, near Luka, Mississippi, lieutenant in Forrest's Cavalry. A cousin, Colonel Francis Thomas, a graduate of West Point, and a veteran of the Mexican war, a member of General Joseph E. Johnson's staff, was killed at first Manassas. Another cousin, James Thomas, who served one year in the "Stonewall Brigade," 2d Virginia Infantry, was killed in the service. At the time of his death he was a member of Company G, 7th Virginia Cavalry. Two second cousins, Orton Williams, graduate of West Point, was a colonel in the United States army till the beginning of the war, and held the same rank in the Confederate army. Gibson Peter was a lieutenant in a cavalry company. He was a son of Major George Peter , of Montgomery county, Maryland. These six relatives came from Maryland to serve in the defense of Virginia, but none returned home except Mr. Dunlop. His wife's brother, Robert A. Glasgow, died in the Confederate service in 1862, lieutenant and ensign in the 4th Virginia Infantry, "Stonewall" Brigade. John T. Dunlop's postoffice address is Green Forest, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 413. Transcribed and submitted by Angela M. Ruley, **********************************************************************