"A HISTORY OF THE DAVIESS-McLEAN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION IN KENTUCKY, 1844-1943" by Wendell H. Rone. Probably published in 1944 by Messenger Job Printing Co., Inc., Owensboro, Kentucky, pp. 311-313. Used by permission. [Daviess] WILLIAM HARRISON DAWSON: This brother beloved was a brother of J. M. Dawson, and the second child born to Catherine and Gipson Dawson. He was born near Thruston, Daviess County, Kentucky, on November 30, 1841. His early life was spent on the farm, his education being received in the common schools and in a select school in Owensboro. In later years he studied the Greek language for two years and also learned Latin and Hebrew. In his early struggles for an education, while at the plow handle, he carried books in a sack strapped about his neck studying them whenever he rested the team. At night he would recite to his mother what he learned during the days' toil. At the end of his life he possessed one of the finest libraries in the county, besides having given away hundredes [sic] of books to the Habit Library Asscciation [sic] and some of his books may be seen there today. On November 12, 1865, he was married to Miss Martha Howard. To this union six children were born two children dying in infancy. Up to the time he was married he was not a professing Christian. He, with great pleasure, attributed his decision for Christ to the influence of a good Christian wife. He united with the Macedonia Church in April, 1866 under the preaching of his elder brother, J. M. Dawson, who was pastor of the church at that time. Two months later, in June, 1866, he was licensed to preach. On March 22, 1867, he was set apart to the work of the Gospel ministry by this Church through a presbytery composed of Elders J. M. Dawson, D. S. Colgan, and J. C. Maple, and deacons from the sister churches. For a while after his ordination Brother Dawson did supply work, but in March, 1869, he became pastor at Hawesville, Kentucky, two Sundays per month. He was noted for his long pastorates. He became pastor at Yelvington in the year 1875 and remained until his death. This pastorate of almost thirty-three years is the longest on record in the history of the Daviess County Association. Brother Dawson held meetings at school houses and in other destitute places adjoining his pastorates and became very useful as an evangelist. At one time he baptized 85 into the fellowship of the church at Macedonia, 90 having been converted in this meeting. At many other meetings which he held the accessions were numbered by the score and at times by the hundred. During his lifetime he constituted three churches - Dawson at Philpot, Yellow Creek, and Dawson Memorial. He served all three of these churches as pastor. His other pastorates were at Hawesville, Stephensport, Lewisport, Yelvington, South Hampton, Bethabara, Macedonia, Sugar Grove, Maceo, Stanley, Sorgho, Panther Creek (Daviess County), and at Rockport, Indiana. Elder Dawson kept a journal, almost daily, during his entire life. Elder T. N. Compton, who preached his funeral at Yellow Creek Church on May 30, 1908, said, "It is the most complete diary I have ever seen. In his ministerial life, in fact, in all his life, he was the best organized and most methodical man I have ever known." About fourteen months before his death he was stricken with partial paralysis. The attacks occurred with increasing violence until he passed away quietly on Sunday, March 29, 1908, surrounded by his family. Memorial services were also held at the First Baptist Church in Owensboro and at the Yelvington Church. He was laid to rest in the cemetery which he helped to secure and lay off across from Yellow Creek Church. His diary shows that he traveled 175,000 miles in his ministerial work, made 43,000 pastoral calls, preached 8,000 sermons, preached more than 1,100 funerals, baptized 1,500 people, and married over 800 couples. The records show that he preached the Annual Sermon before the Daviess County Association in 1876 and again in 1900. At the time of his death he was perhaps the best known and most loved preacher in the entire county. During his pastorate at Hawesville he held a four days' debate with George G. Taylor, a Campbellite; at South Hampton he had a six day discussion with J. M. Lawson, Presiding Elder of the Owensboro District, a Methodist; and in Yelvington he held a six day discussion with B. F. Orr, another Methodist. In the year 1875 he delivered a two day address on Sanctification at Macedonia Church. Over 1,500 people were estimated to have been present at this last mentioned discussion. Even though he was uncompromising in his convictions, he was broad in his sympathies and a sincere and helpful friend to the people of all denominations, many of whom spoke of him in the highest respect. After his death the major portion of his diary was published together with the portion of a debate on Baptism. The book was dedicated to the churches in whose services he spent his life. Many interesting events are recorded in this book. The author has seen several copies of this book and possesses one himself. Many of the people he baptized and later on married still reside in this territory and are useful members of the churches. His monumental work still lives. Dawson Howard Colgan Maple Compton Taylor Lawson Orr = IN http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/daviess/dawson.wh.txt