Biography of William DAWLEY, Champaign County, Illinois Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Copyright 1999 Celia Snyder From: "History of Champaign County, Illinois with Illustrations," 1878 WM. DAWLEY Is a native of Ohio, and was born in Greene county, in that state, April 26th, 1828. He is a son of Devorix and Huldah DAWLEY, and is the third of a family of seven children. When Wm. was but nine years old his mother died, and the children were scattered in nearly every direction. William went to Ross county, Ohio, and lived about four years with a man by the name of Mills. He then went to Muskingum county, the same state, and remained until he was seventeen. At this time he walked all the way back to Ross county, and worked upon a farm until he was about 24. In 1851, Mr. DAWLEY came to Pratt county, this state, and January 6th, 1853, was united in marriage to Miss Susan, daughter of John GAY of that county. After they were married, they rented a farm and began house-keeping in Pratt county. In 1866, Mr. Dawley bought and moved upon a farm near where he at present resides, and which he afterwards exchanged for the much larger one where he lives. Mrs. Dawley is the mother of nine children, three of whom died in infancy. Of those living, Diantha was born October 24th, 1857; John was born December 17th, 1860; Mary C. was born January 6th, 1865; Wm. C. was born November lst, 1867; Ida May was born October 16th, 1869; Clara was born December 3d, 1871. Few men have been thrown upon their own resources at so tender age, and succeeded as well as the subject of this brief sketch. Beginning when but nine years old, without a penny in the world, he has placed himself in good circumstances. Even at the time of his marriage he was without means; but he went to work with a will, and his labors have been rewarded. He is in possession of a fine farm, consisting of about three hundred acres of very choice land, in section 3, town 19, range 7. ------------------------------------------------------------------ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organiza- tions or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contri- butor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ----------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Celia Snyder