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The family was first represented in this country by Jacob DINKLE, who was born in Germany, and came with his brother Lewis to America, settling in the Shenandoah Valley, Va. He married a Miss MCGILL,
who was of Irish descent, and by her reared a family of ten children:
James M., John, Daniel, Samuel, Robert, William, Jacob, Eliza, Susan, Mary and Jeanette, who died in childhood. Their father owned over 600 acres of the best land in the Shenandoah Valley, and was quite an extensive slave-holder. His son Samuel was born on the old homestead in 1811, and was married to Elizabeth E., a daughter of Allen and Nancy (TURLEY) DEVIER, who were old settlers of Virginia, and of Scotch-Irish descent. Mr. and Mrs. Dinkle became the parents of ten children: Martha J., Eliza, Allen D., Lucy C., Josephine, Mary E., Jeanette F., Ewing, Edward R., and Giles S. The father resided on his fine farm in Virginia until his death, which occurred in 1884. Allen D. Dinkle, his son, was born on the old home farm in Randolph County, W. Va., in 1842, and received a common-school education. He was eighteen years old when the war broke out, and promptly enlisted in the Confederate army, Company O, Fifth Regiment Virginia Volunteer Infantry, and after serving one year was transferred to Company I, Seventh Regiment, Virginia Volunteer Cavalry, and served throughout the war. He
was at Manassas, seven days' fight at Richmond, Chancellorsville, Gettysburgh, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Weldon Railroad, Five Forks, and was in many skirmishes. After the war he returned home and engaged in farming, remaining about seven years, and helped his father to pay debts which were contracted during the war. In 1874 he was married to Signora, a daughter of William BERRY, and by her became the father of three children: Leona V., Willie F. and Nettie. Immediately after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Dinkle came to Missouri, locating in Saline County, where Mr. Dinkle farmed for his uncle, James M. DINKLE. In 1881 he moved to Benton County, and in 1884 came to Lawrence County, where he has a fine farm of 160 acres. He is a Democrat, and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.
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