Starting Sept. 30, 2014, Genealogy.com will be making a big change. GenForum message boards, Family Tree Maker homepages, and the most popular articles will be preserved in a read-only format, while several other features will no longer be available, including member subscriptions and the Shop.
 
Learn more


[ Home Page | First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page ]

Ancestors of Charles Hines Dorsey

Generation No. 3


      4. Plutarch Hines Dorsey, born November 8, 1833 in Jefferson County, Kentucky; died December 6, 1915 in Macoupin County, Illinois. He was the son of 8. Elias Dorsey and 9. Martha R. Booker. He married 5. Hannah Olivia Josephine Williams March 26, 1856 in Macoupin County, Illinois.

      5. Hannah Olivia Josephine Williams, born September 25, 1834 in Washington, D.C.; died July 26, 1902 in Gillespie, Macoupin County, Illinois. She was the daughter of 10. John Williams and 11. Maria Louisa Wells.

Notes for Plutarch Hines Dorsey:

P. H. Dorsey Dead

We are called upon this week to chronicle the death of one of the oldest citizens of the county, in the person of P. H. Dorsey, who passed away at his farm home near this city, Monday evening, December 6th at 10:30 after an illness of scarcely four weeks. Mr. Dorsey was one of the widest known men in the county, having spent the greater part of his life here. Coming to Macoupin County in 1853 he settled on the farm where he died. This farm consists of 420 acres and is situated just south of this city. It is a part of the large body of land that was entered by his father. With the exception of fifteen years, when he resided in Bunker Hill in order to educate his children, he has always resided on this farm.

Mr. Dorsey was a Kentuckian by birth, having been born in Jefferson County, Kentucky, November 8, 1833 and is the son of Elias and Martha (Booker) Dorsey. His father was a native of Maryland and came with his parents to Kentucky during childhood. At an early age Mr. Dorsey's father purchased 1300 acres of land in Madison and Macoupin counties, Illinois. His death took place in 1872 in Bunker Hill, in the 77th year of his age.

While "Uncle Plute", as he was familiarly known among his friends and acquaintances, followed general farming, he was never able to get away from the raising of horses and mules, and to the time of his death was deeply interested in the raising of mules, and was one of the best posted stock men in this county. He was formerly the raiser of fast horses and had owned a number during his life. He never missed attending the Macoupin County Fair and was always one of the most interested spectators. Mr. Dorsey was a very active man up to within four weeks of his death. He was in Gillespie nearly every day and took great interest in keeping up with the news of the day. He was a man who was very outspoken yet he had a kindly heart and was always jovial and had a good humor.

In March 1854, Mr. Dorsey was married to Olivia Williams, who was born September 25, 1834 in Washington, D. C. and died on the farm south of this city July 26, 1902. Eight children were born to this marriage as follows: Mrs. Eugenia Robinson of St. Louis; P. H. Dorsey, Jr.; Harriet Hornsby of Bunker Hill; Maria L., who resided with her father; Oscar L. of this city; Ada who died at the age of two years; Cora, who died at the age of eight years; and Mayo who is residing in Bunker Hill.

His children were all present at the home south of this city when Uncle Plute closed his eyes in his last sleep, and during his short illness he was ministered to by loving and willing hands.

Mr. Dorsey has led an active and useful life and when the age arrived at which most men retire from business, he was still in the harness doing his part in the management of his big farm, assisted by his sons, Oscar and P. H. Dorsey, Jr.

His was a life well spent, a life filled with activity and when his time came, he passed to the great beyond, surrounded by his children.

Mr. Dorsey was a strong democrat in politics, ardently supporting its old time principles. He has served as supervisor of his township, was a Director in the Gillespie National bank at the time of his death and one of the honored citizens. He leaves, besides his family, a host of staunch friends who knew and loved him for his real worth, that of a gentleman of the old school, who believed that in labor we find our most pleasure.

The funeral services will be conducted from the residence, near the city Thursday, December 9th at 11 a.m. and the interment will take place in the Bunker Hill cemetery.

In the death of Mr. Dorsey our county has lost one of its oldest men, this community an honored citizen, and his family a kind and loving father. Peace be to his ashes.

Gillespie (Illinois) News, December 8, 1915 - S. P. Preston Editor

___________________________________________________________________--

Plutarch H. Dorsey

The name of Dorsey needs no introduction to the citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, as for years it has been representative of one of the most numerous, progressive, wealthy and prominent families of this portion of the State, and Plutarch H. Dorsey is its oldest member. He was born on November 8, 1833 in Jefferson County, Kentucky, and is a son of Elias and Martha (Booker) Dorsey.

Elias Dorsey was born June 7, 1796 near Frederick, Maryland, and in childhood accompanied his parents to Kentucky. During the War of 1812 he served as a private soldier and received a pension for his services. He devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits and, although in straitened circumstances during his early manhood, by the exercise of a natural business capacity acquired a large tract of fine blue grass land within eight miles of the city of Louisville. There he engaged in the favorite occupation of the Kentucky farmer -- the raising of' fine horses for market. His farm consisted of 600 acres of land and prior to the Civil War he owned some 30 slaves. These he subsequently freed. For many years he lived the life of a typical planter. "Eden Farm" being the center of general hospitality and social gaiety, many of the most distinguished members of the polite, business and political world being lavishly entertained there. At an early date Elias Dorsey, with the business instinct which made all his operations successful, purchased 13,000 acres of land lying in Madison and Macoupin counties, Illinois. His death took place in 1872 at Bunker Hill, Macoupin County, Illinois, in the 77th year of his age. He was a consistent supporter of Democratic principles all of his life. He was a man of generous nature, was devoted to his large family and assisted each one of his 13 children by the gift of a farm of 1,000 acres.

In 1815 Elias Dorsey married Martha Booker, who was a daughter of Col. Richard Booker, and a member of a very prominent family of Shelby County, Kentucky. They were the parents of the following 13 children: John W., Richard E., Leavin L., Benjamin L., Basil H., William Montjoy, Mrs. Cordelia Hornsby, Mrs. Ann C. Winchester, Elias L., Mary Matilda and Orlena O. (all deceased) Plutarch H., and Mrs. Martha Shields of Kansas.

Plutarch H. Dorsey's mother died when he was four years old and he remained in Kentucky to enjoy the excellent educational opportunities offered him there. He finished his education with a three years course at Shurtleff College, at Alton, Illinois. He came to Macoupin County in 1853 and settled on his present farm of 420 acres situated in sections 25 and 26 Gillespie township, land which was included in the large tract which his father had entered. He has lived on this farm continuously since 1853, with the exception of 15 years -- from 1871 to 1886 -- when he resided in Bunker Hill in order to give his children the best of educational advantages.

While Mr. Dorsey has raised large crops of wheat and corn, his attention has been more closely given to the raising of fine cattle and stock, particularly to the breading of high grade horses, these being mainly of "Gold Dust" stock; of which he has annually bred 50 head and at the same time from 50 to 100 head of mules. He is also an extensive breeder and shipper of cattle, sheep and hogs, but has given the closest attention to horses. He has bred a number of fine animals which have sold for $5,000, and he has received as much as $1,000 for a yearling thoroughbred. In addition to his farming and grazing lands, Mr. Dorsey has a fine orchard of 120 acres, on the most productive in this section.

In 1891 Mr. Dorsey sold his coal right to the firm of H. S. Dorsey & Company; a rich vein of coal probably underlying a large portion of this farm. The discovery of coal on the Dorsey lands, in 1856, was something of an accident, but after 12 years of prospecting, hard work and expenditure of much money the great deposits of the black diamonds are being brought to the surface, bringing untold wealth to the family and giving activity to the section and employment to hundreds of laborers. A new town in the heart of the coal regions is now being built up which is expected to hold a population of 6,000 people within two years. To this town the name of Benld has been given, which is a contraction of Benjamin L. Dorsey, named in honor of the nephew of our subject, as was the town of Dorsey named in honor of the family upon its establishment 40 years ago.

Benjamin L. Dorsey, the pioneer prospector for coal on his lands, was born August 31, 1857, in Macoupin County, Illinois, and is a son of Benjamin L. Dorsey and a nephew of Plutarch H. Dorsey. The family has sold 40,000 acres of coal land to the Northwestern Railroad, through the Superior Coal Company of Chicago, and a connecting line, the Macoupin County Railroad, is being pushed to completion. This road will erect a fine brick depot at the new town, while capitalists from the neighboring cities are making contracts for the erection of blocks of stores, the establishment of a bank and the putting into operation all the organizations which American enterprise and progressiveness so quickly accomplish. Where once waved fields of yellow grain, now are seen the derricks and machinery of successful coal mines and another great industry has been added to the business life of Macoupin County. The Dorsey family has greatly profited by this discovery and all its members are men of large capital. They are also men of high character and well represent the best citizenship of this section of the State.

In March, 1854, Plutarch H. Dorsey married Olivia Williams, who was born September 25, 1834 in Washington, D.C. and died on the farm in Macoupin County, July 26, 1902. She was the daughter of John and Maria L. (Wells) Williams, both of whom were born in Washington. Eight children were born to this marriage, as follows: Mrs. Eugenia Robinson of St. Louis, Mo., who has two children -- Edward and Mary; Plutarch H., Jr., who resides with his wife on the farm of our subject in a residence of his own; Mrs. Harriet Hornsby, of Bunker Hill, who has two children -- Lawrence and Marie; Maria L. who resides at home; Oscar L., who with his wife resides on the old homestead; Ada, who died at the age of two years; Cora, who died at the age of eight years; and Wells Mayo, who with his wife resides on a farm in Cahokia township, Macoupin County. Mr. Dorsey's children are among the most highly esteemed residents of their various communities.

Like his father, Mr. Dorsey has been identified with the Democratic party all his life, ardently supporting its old-time principles. He is serving as the present supervisor of his township and is regarded as one of the best officials the township ever had. In him the honorable old family of Dorsey has an honorable representative and Gillespie township a citizen who has materially aided in all movements designed to promote the general welfare.

(This was a biographical record of leading citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois printed in 1904)


More About Plutarch Hines Dorsey:
Burial: December 9, 1915, Bunker Hill Cemetery, Macoupin County, Illinois

More About Hannah Olivia Josephine Williams:
Burial: Bunker Hill Cemetery, Macoupin County, Illinois
     
Children of Plutarch Dorsey and Hannah Williams are:
  i.   Eugenia Wells Dorsey, born September 15, 1858 in Gillespie, Macoupin County, Illinois; died April 13, 1933 in Clayton, St. Louis County, Missouri; married Antoine Saugrain Robinson December 10, 1884 in Bunker Hill, Macoupin County, Illinois; born February 12, 1855 in St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri; died February 21, 1945.
  More About Eugenia Wells Dorsey:
Burial: Calvary Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri

  More About Antoine Saugrain Robinson:
Burial: Calvary Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri

  ii.   Plutarch Henry Dorsey, born June 3, 1861 in Gillespie, Macoupin County, Illinois; died December 30, 1946 in Gillepsie, Macoupin County, Illinois; married Margaret R Burton; born 1868; died 1937.
  More About Plutarch Henry Dorsey:
Burial: Gillespie Cemetery, Macoupin County, Illinois

  More About Margaret R Burton:
Burial: Gillespie Cemetery, Macoupin County, Illinois

  iii.   Harriet Blair Dorsey, born November 5, 1863 in Gillespie, Macoupin County, Illinois; died December 17, 1937 in Bunker Hill, Macoupin County, Illinois; married Robert J. Hornsby; born April 1862 in Kemtucky; died February 7, 1942 in Macoupin, Illinois.
  Notes for Harriet Blair Dorsey:
Married her First Cousin, Robert J Hornsby, also a Grandchild of Elias Dorsey and Martha R Booker.

  More About Harriet Blair Dorsey:
Burial: Bunker Hill Cemetery, Macoupin County, Illinois

  Notes for Robert J. Hornsby:
Married his First Cousin, Harriet Blair Dorsey, Granddaughter of Elias Dorsey and Martha R Booker.

  More About Robert J. Hornsby:
Burial: February 9, 1942, Bunker Hill Cemetery, Macoupin County, Illinois

  iv.   Maria Louisa Dorsey, born February 3, 1866 in Gillespie, Macoupin County, Illinois; died March 19, 1952 in Carlinville, Macoupin Couny, Illinois.
  v.   Cora Cordilia Dorsey, born January 10, 1867 in Gillepsie, Macoupin County, Illinois; died February 9, 1878 in Gillepsie, Macoupin County, Illinois.
  vi.   Oscar Lyle Dorsey, born April 24, 1871 in Gillespie, Macoupin County, Illinois; died June 19, 1951 in Carlinville, Macoupin Couny, Illinois; married (1) Sadie Viola (Ola) Floyd; born 1872 in Gillepsie, Macoupin County, Illinois; died August 24, 1941 in Charleston, West Virginia; married (2) Oella Wilson Caudrey.
  vii.   Ada Olivia Dorsey, born October 7, 1873 in Bunker Hill, Macoupin County, Illinois; died July 1874 in Bunker Hill, Macoupin County, Illinois.
  More About Ada Olivia Dorsey:
Burial: Bunker Hill Cemetery, Macoupin County, Illinois

  2 viii.   Wells Mayo Dorsey, born January 10, 1878 in Bunker Hill, Macoupin County, Illinois; died January 13, 1947 in Gillespie, Macoupin County, Illinois; married Wilhelmina Lister November 1, 1899 in Bunker Hill, Macoupin County, Illinois.


      6. Charles Lister, born September 13, 1841 in Trissia, Kingdom of Prussia; died March 15, 1913 in Gillespie, Macoupin County, Illinois. He was the son of 12. Charles George Lister. He married 7. Anna Elizabeth Frey August 13, 1868.

      7. Anna Elizabeth Frey, born April 22, 1836 in Oggersheim, Bavaria, Germany; died October 15, 1900 in Gillespie, Macoupin County, Illinois. She was the daughter of 14. Jacob Wilhelm Frey and 15. A Marie Hausam.

Notes for Charles Lister:
Charles Lister died at the home of F. S. Boosinger at 12:15 A. M. March 15th, 1913.

The deceased was born in Trissia Kingdom of Prussia, Germany September 13th, 1841. Coming to the United States of America about 1856 at the age of 15 years, at or near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; then on to Cincinnati where he worked at the shoemaker trade, going from there to St. Louis, Mo.

He enlisted under Captain Clevers Co., 5th Regiment, Missouri Cavalry on the 7th day of September 1861 to serve three years. He was discharged on the 27th day of June 1862 on account of a gun shot wound received at the Battle of Pea Ridge, from which he lost the left eye. He reenlisted as a private of Captain Justus Durrell's Company, 4th Regiment Ohio Cavalry and was enrolled on the 1st day of August 1864 to serve three years or the duration of the War. He was discharged on the 15th day of July at Tennessee. Coming then to Gillespie, Illinois and opened a shoe shop.

On August 13, 1868 he was united in marriage to Anna Elizabeth Frey, Ostermeyer, Brown. To this union two children were born, Mrs. Carrie Bushell of Sullivan, Indiana and Mrs. Minnie Dorsey of Bunker Hill, Illinois. He became a member of the Masonic order Lodge No. 214 in Gillespie, Lodge in 1879. He was member of the L O O F and James Robinson Post GAR; also German Lutheran Church. He took an active part in all progressive affairs of the then village of Gillespie. He held many offices of trust in the village and township as he watched the village of 500 grow to a city of 3,500 with pride. He was always at the bedside of neighbor and comrade when needed. Strictly honest in all business, Democratic in politics, he made annual visits to his daughters and stepchildren but made his home with his stepdaughter in Gillespie to be near his friends and associates made during his active life. On March 7, 1913 after the short rites of his Church delivered by Rev. Kreckler, the Masonic order assisted by the Post took charge of and grave the last rites of the order at the Gillespie, Cemetery.

So endeth the chapter of the man who had twice taken up arms and offered his life to his adopted Country and lived the almost forgotten rule: Do good to so that we may enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. We commend to those who see that justice is done and pray we may have as clear a record, so we may be able to join him where there is no parting.

He leaves to mourn his loss:

Mrs. Carrie Lister BushellSullivan, Ind.
Mrs. Minnie Lister DorseyBunker Hill, Ill.
Mrs. May Ostermeyer HillCalhoun, Mo.
Mr. Charles OstermeyerCalhoun, Mo.
Mrs. Lulu Brown BoosingerGillespie, Ill.
Mr. George ListerCarnegie, Pa
Mr. Frank Lister Carnegie, Pa
Mr. Ernest Lister Carnegie, Pa
Rosa, Lena, Nettie Address not known

_________________________________________________________________
Gillespie (Illinois) News, March 1913

___________________________________________________________________________________
CIVIL WAR HISTORY

Enlisted as Private, Company "E", Benton Hussars Cavalry Battalion, Missouri Volunteers, September 11, 1861 to serve three years. Muster-in with unit on September 30, 1861.

Assigned to Company "D", 5th Regiment, Missouri Cavalry, February 14, 1862.

Discharged June 27, 1862 at St. Louis Missouri after he lost his left eye because of gunshot wound received near Sugar Creek at the Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas on March 7, 1862.

Re enlisted as Private Company "E", 4th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, August 1, 1864 under Captain Justus P. Durrell to serve three years.

Discharged July 15, 1865 at Nashville, Tennessee.
____________________________________________________________________________________

REGIMENT HISTORIES

Benton Hussars Cavalry Battalion, Missouri Volunteers

Organized at St. Louis, Mo., September 18-December 23, 1861. Served unattached, Army of the West, to January, 1862. 2nd Division, Army Southwest Missouri, Dept. Missouri, to February, 1862, participating in skirmish at Hunter's Farm, near Belmont, Mo., September 26, 1861. At Bird's Point, Mo., October. Operations about Ironton-Fredericktown October 12-25. Engagement at Fredericktown October 21. Expedition from Bird's Point against Thompson's forces November 2-12. Duty in Southeast Missouri until January, 1862, and in District of Southwest Missouri to February, 1862. Assigned to 5th Missouri Cavalry February 14, 1862.

5th Missouri Regiment Cavalry

Organized by consolidation of Benton Hussars and 3 Companies of Hollan Horse February 14, 1862. Served unattached, 2nd Division, Army of Southwest Missouri, Dept. of Missouri, to October, 1862. Army of South- east Missouri, Dept. of Missouri, to November, 1862. SERVICE.--Curtis' Campaign in Missouri and Arkansas against Price February-March, 1862. Battles of Pea Ridge, Ark., March 6-8. Duty in District of South- west Missouri until October. Expedition to Blue Mountains June 19. Near Knight's Cove June 19. Expedition from Clarendon to Lawrenceville and St. Charles September 11-13. Ordered to Pilot Knob October. Consolidated with 4th Missouri Cavalry November 15, 1862. Regiment lost during service 1 Officer and 4 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 36 Enlisted men by disease. Total 42.

4th Regiment Ohio Cavalry (from August 1, 1864)

History
Organized August 5, 1861. ....... in the spring of 1864 joined the 17th Corps in the Atlanta campaign. The Regiment raided in all directions about Atlanta, went with Stoneman south, and afterwards joined Kilpatrick. After the fall of Atlanta it proceeded to Nashville for re-equipment, taking part in the battle under Thomas. It joined Wilson's raid to Selma, where the men dismounted and made a desperate charge over the works, carrying everything before them. In April it marched to Montgomery and then to Macon. Here it remained on guard duty until May 23, 1865, when it moved to Nashville and was mustered out the latter part of July, 1865.

From Dyer's Compendium
...... 2nd Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Army of the Cumberland, to October, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, Cavalry Corps, Military Division Mississippi, to August, 1865. SERVICE.-- ...... Kilpatrick's Raid around Atlanta August 18-22, 1864. Red Oak and Flint River August 19. Jonesborough August 19. Lovejoy Station August 20. Operations at Chattahoochie River Bridge August 26-September 2. Sandtown September 1. Ordered to Nashville, Tenn., September 21, thence to Louisville November 8, and duty there until January, 1865. Moved to Gravelly Springs, Ala., January 12, and duty there until March. Wilson's Raid to Macon, Ga., March 22-April 24. Selma April 2. Montgomery April 12. Macon April 20. Duty at Macon until May 23, and at Nashville, Tenn., until July. Mustered out July 15, 1865.


More About Charles Lister:
Burial: Gillespie Cemetery, Macoupin County, Illinois

  Notes for Anna Elizabeth Frey:
OBITUARY.

Mrs. Anna Elizabeth, wife of Chas. Lister, died at her home in Gillespie, Monday Oct. 15, 1900, at 4 p. m.

The deceased was born is Oggersheim, Bavaria, April 22, 1836. Came to America with her parents in 1847, located in St Louis. Having been there but three months her parents died and she made her home with the family Chas. Weiss, of Alton, Ill., until united in marriage to John Ostermeyer, two children were born to this union and still survive her; namely Chas. Ostermeyer and Mrs. Mary Hill, of Calhoun, Mo. Her husband died in 1858, after which she again united in marriage to Edward G. Brown, two children were also born to this union, one living Mrs. F. S. Boosinger who is still in this community.

Mr. Brown died in 1867 after which she with her children moved to Gillespie, and on Aug. 13, 1868 was united in marriage to Chas. Lister, to this union two children were born: namely Mrs. Carrie Bushell, of Sullivan, Ind., and Mrs. Mayo Dorsey, of this place.

Mrs. Lister was a member of the German Lutheran Church. Her illness brought about much suffering; upon the appropriated hour of dissolution when the cold winds of death had been sighing about her, and his chill dews had already glistened her cheeks; by the benefit of a pure and blameless life and unshaken confidence in the Great Ruler of the Universe, she found ready prepared to go from her sufferings here on earth to the place of eternal happiness, to be placed on his right to be pronounced a true and worthy servant.

The funeral services were held on from family residence, Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 17 at 2 p. m. Rev. Krekeler of the German Church officiating.

Her son, Mr. Ostermeyer, of Calhoun, Mo., was unable to be present on account of sickness, the balance of her children were at her side when death came.

Friends from a distance were; Mrs. Louisa Stemer, of Alton, Mrs. Weber and John Frey and family of Litchfield, Mrs. Gaur and Mrs. Fred Opie of Staunton, A. Frey and wife of Carlinville, Mrs. Chas. Hoffman and Mrs. Robinson of Dorchester.

Gillespie (Illinois) News, October, 1900
_______________________________

Immigration Information:

Port of Departure: Le Havre, France
Ship Name: John Holland
Port of Arrival: New Orleans, Louisiana
Date: June 20, 1847


More About Anna Elizabeth Frey:
Burial: October 17, 1900, Gillespie Cemetery, Macoupin County, Illinois
     
Children of Charles Lister and Anna Frey are:
  i.   Kathryn (Carrie) Lister, born May 11, 1869; died April 1960; married David A. Bushell 1887; born July 1864; died 1939.
  More About Kathryn (Carrie) Lister:
Burial: May 2, 1960, Center Ridge Cemetery, Sullivan, Indiana, Lot #134

  More About David A. Bushell:
Burial: Center Ridge Cemetery, Sullivan, Indiana, Lot #134

  3 ii.   Wilhelmina Lister, born December 20, 1873 in Gillespie, Macoupin County, Illinois; died July 15, 1953 in Carlinville, Macoupin Couny, Illinois; married Wells Mayo Dorsey November 1, 1899 in Bunker Hill, Macoupin County, Illinois.


[ Home Page | First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page ]

Search for Family - Learn About Genealogy - Helpful Web Sites - Message Boards - Guest Book - Home
© Copyright 1996-99, The Learning Company, Inc., and its subsidiaries. All rights reserved.
© Copyright 1995-97 by Matthew L. Helm. All Rights Reserved.