Submitted by Eddy Clark, October 5, 1997
Maj. William J. Davidson, a prominent pioneer of Gibson County,, Tenn., was born in North Carolina February 2, 1812, son of William R. and Charity W. (MacConnell) Davidson, who were North Carolinians. Maj. Davidson was brought to Tennessee at an early day, and came to Gibson County with his parents when eighteen years of age. They located where Dyer Station now is, and William J. was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1865, when he engaged in mercantile pursuits, and has followed that and farming alternately up to the present time. He has been more than ordinarily successful in the accumulation of worldly goods, and is a man of fine character. In 1838 he married Dorothy Bobbitt, daughter of James and Mary Bobbitt. To them were born one child - Ann E., deceased. Mrs. Davidson died November 10, 1850, and Maj. Davidson then married Mrs. Martha Ann McDearman November 7, 1852, daughter of Willis Chambers, of Virginia. Our subject has been a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church since 1870. He is also an F. & A. M., and has always voted the Democratic ticket. He has always taken a lively interest in politics, and was strongly urged in 1851-52 to run on the Democratic ticket as a candidate to represent Gibson County in the State Legislature, but as the old Whig party was largely in the ascendancy he declined. In 1869 he ran as a candidate for the constitutional convention that met in 1870 to amend the constitution of the State, but was defeated by Hon. S. Hill. As an evidence of his popularity with his neighbors, he lost only six votes in his own precinct, notwithstanding he was opposed by four very worthy gentlemen. In 1880, at the solicitation of some of his warm personal and political friends, he became a candidate to represent his county in the lower house of the State Legislature, but when the State Democratic Convention met and split on the State debt question, he, believing a large amount of the bonds of the State in aid of railroads was obtained fraudulently, and that the State was neither legally nor morally bound for them, and not wishing to antagonize his warmest friends, he declined the canvass. Since that time he has taken no active part in public politics.
Ephraim C. Davidson is a son of William R. and Charity (McConnell) Davidson, and was born in Bedford County, Tenn., January 18, 1826. He made his home with his parents until attaining manhood, and followed agricultural pursuits from boyhood. He owns 190 acres of land, and, in connection with farming, runs a wood-cording machine. In 1846 he was married to Susan, daughter of Thomas and Mary Hamilton. To them were born eight children - six sons and two daughters: William T., Harriet E., Robert T,, William J., Bell E., Lucian L., Lucius J. and Sidney K. Mr. Davidson is a prosperous farmer, and he and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Davidson belongs to the Democratic party, and is of Irish descent.
Abner L. Davidson is a son of Ephraim Davidson, born in North Carolina, in 1802. He moved to Middle Tennessee when young, and there met and married Lucretia Stovoll, who was born in that part of the State, in 1807. They came to Gibson County shortly after their marriage, and here the father became the owner of 200 acres of land, and followed farming and saw-milling for a living. He was a Whig before the war, and afterward a Democrat, and he and wife were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and were the parents of eleven children, seven of whom are living. Ephraim Davidson died in 1874, and his widow resided with her children until her death, in 1885. Abner L. Davidson is a Gibson County Tennessean, born June 19, 1839. Owing to the undeveloped condition of the schools during his boyhood, his early education was quite meager. He worked for his father until twenty years of age, and in 1861 volunteered in Company E, Thirty-second Tennessee Confederate Infantry, but, after serving about eleven months, was taken sick, and returned home. Howell A. Little, who was born near Fort Smith, Ark., January 15, 1845, became his wife in 1862. Their union was blessed in the birth of ten children, only five of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson and the two oldest children are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and he has been an elder in the same for fifteen years. He is a Democrat, and owns 158 acres of land.
Leonidas G. Danner, M. D., was born in Sumter County, Ala., August 18, 1845, son of Jacob G. and Elizabeth (Boyd) Danner, who were born in South Carolina. Leonidas was reared in his native State, and secured a fair literary education. In 1862 he enlisted in Company E, Fifth Regiment Alabama Confederate Infantry, serving, first as private, and later was detailed as a sharp-shooter, under Gen. Rhodes, ranking as first sergeant. After the surrender he returned home and begun the study of medicine, and attended two courses of lectures at the University of Louisville, Ky., and later entered the Missouri Medical College, of St. Louis, in 1876. From 1868 until 1872 he had practiced in Kemper County, Miss., coming to Milan, Tenn., at the latter date. Here he has since resided, and commands a fairly large and lucrative practice. In 1882 he engaged in the drug business in Milan, in company with S. G. Stewart, his present partner. Aug. 4, 1869, the Doctor married Margaret S. Reeves, of Gibson County, and four children-Lelah, Aylmer B., Florence and Ewell S. - have been born to them. Dr. Danner is a Democrat, and a member of the G. C., and he and wife are Presbyterians.
Dr. Hugh De Lap, a leading physician of Gibson County, Tenn., is a son of Daniel and Fannie (West) De Lap, who were North Carolinians. Soon after their marriage they came to Tennessee, locating in Madison County, where their son Hugh was born. Here they farmed, and became the owners of 500 acres of land. In 1840 the mother died, and about fifteen years later the father married Anna Long, by whom he had three sons. In 1850 he moved to Mississippi, and there died, in 1867. Dr. Hugh De Lap was born December 18, 1839, and until he was twenty-five years old the greater part of his time was spent in acquiring an education. He entered Center College. at Danville, Ky., in 1857, and, after attending school there three years, completed his course at Georgetown College, in the same State. graduating in 1861. He went out with Bell's brigade, being commissioned druggist, and for four years served in the hospital department. During this time he devoted his spare moments to the study of medicine. Previous to the war he had studied the same, under Dr. John R. Frazier, of Memphis, and after its close he took lectures at Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, Penn., graduating in 1867. He practiced two years in Memphis, then moved to his farm. In 1868 he married Mary H. Moore, who was born in South Carolina, August 25, 1838, and came to Madison County, Tenn., with her parents, when quite young. To them were born six children, four of whom are living. The Doctor, his wife and the two oldest children are Methodists. He is a Democrat, and by his own good management and energy is the owner of 180 acres of good land.
W. H. Dodson, foundry, mill and plow factory. W. H. Dodson was born in Halifax County, Va., June 8, 1815, the second son of Wm. T. and Sallie (Young) Dodson. both Virginians by birth. His father was a farmer and mechanic; was married in Virginia, in 1811, and came with his family to Davidson County, Tenn., in 1823; died in 1832, preceded by his wife several years. Of the nine children five lived to be grown. W. H. Dodson was brought to Tennessee when about eight years of age. He attended school only about six weeks after he attained a youthful age; however, by his own efforts, he acquired a very good practical education. At the age of fifteen he was thrown upon his own resources for obtaining a living, and began work on the river, working on a keel, flat and steam-boat. In 1836 he steered a flat-boat from Nashville to New Orleans, continuing to follow boating for several years, on the Tennessee, Cumberland, Forked Deer, Yellow Bushy, Yazoo, Tallahatchie and Big Black Rivers. By his frugality he saved some money, and began trading in stock and poultry from Nashville to New Orleans. In 1841 he moved from Nashville to West Tennessee, and settled in Eaton, Gibson County, becoming engaged in the family grocery business, boating on Forked Deer River, and trading to New Orleans. In 1846 he associated himself with James A. Harwood, adding dry goods to their present business, and continued this business of general trade with him for three years, at the close of which time he sold out to Mr. Harwood. He then engaged in farming, saw-mill and stock business, continuing in this to the breaking out of the war. After this he returned to Eaton, and again resumed the dry goods business and general store, in company with his son-in-law, I. R. Dance, continuing in this business two years, at the close of which time, Mr. Dance retiring, T. C. Patterson was taken in as partner. The firm Dodson & Patterson remained until 1870. The former then sold out to Patterson & Bros., and moved to Trenton in 1871. In 1872, moving to Humboldt, he then bought a half interest of the plow factory and foundry of William Jarrell, at the same place, the latter gentleman being the inventor of the celebrated Jarrell plow, cotton scraper and planter known throughout the South and West, the same year adding a flouring-mill to the other business. He remained in business with Mr. Jarrell until 1878, at the close of which time Mr. Dodson bought the entire stock, and has continued in the same business, adding, at different times, new and improved machinery. Mr. Wm. Jarrell, having recently returned to Humboldt, has obtained a patent for a cotton cleaner and condenser, in which Mr. Dodson is interested, and is now engaged in the manufacture of the same, at Humboldt, Tenn. Mr. Dodson is a Democrat and Mason. On January 9, 1843, he married Sarah T. Morton, who died August 16, same year. June 17, 1847, he wedded J. A, Blakemore, daughter of W. T. and Jane R. Blakemore, and of ten children born to them five are living: W. W., Ida (Mrs. W. H. Gregory), C. J., A. R. and L. P. Dodson. Both husband and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.
Timothy Dowland is a son of Henry and Susannah (Smith) Dowland, who were born and married in Rowan County, N. C. Their family consisted of ten children, nine of whom lived to be grown. Both parents were active members of the Lutheran Church, and the father was a gunsmith, carpenter and blacksmith, and continued the latter calling until in his seventy-fifth year. He was quite a mechanical genius and very skillful with tools. He was for some time captain of the State militia, and was magistrate for many years. He was a Whig, and came to Gibson County, Tenn., in 1839. Here he died in 1858 and his wife in 1852. Their son, Timothy, was born in Cabarrus County, N. C., May 17, 1812. He attended school only two years, but acquired a good common education and distinguished himself as a mathematician. In 1839 he came to Gibson County and built the first bridge of note across the South Fork of Obion River. By his industry he became the owner of 1,100 acres of land, and in 1846 married Sarah Mitts, who was born January 19, 1819. To them were born ten children; nine are living and eight are married and settled in the neighborhood. Emerson B., the youngest, is unmarried and resides at home. Mr. Dowland has been a stanch Democrat since the death of the Whig party, and he and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.
Person K. Dorsett is a native of Granville County, N. C., born June 5, 1824. He is a son of Elisha and Mary (Self) Dorsett, natives of North Carolina, where they grew to manhood and womanhood and were married. The father was a Whig in politics and was a farmer through life. He died while in his prime, and his widow and children came to Gibson County, Tenn. The mother died in 1846. Person K. is one of their four children, three of whom are living, and owing to his father's early death and the need of his services at home his early education was somewhat limited. At the age of twenty-one he began doing for himself and worked by the month for about three years, when he purchased some land of his own. This he increased from time to time and is now the owner of 253 acres of land, which he has earned by the sweat of his brow. Previous to the war he was a Whig, but has not since taken an active part. in politics. In 1847 he married Jane Lowery, who died in 1857, leaving five sons. She was a member of the Methodist Church. In 1858 he wedded Dorinda J. Mathes, by whom he had seven children. Husband and wife are members of the Methodist Church, and he is steward in the same. The Dorsett family are highly respected and are intimately connected with the history of Gibson County.
James M. Draper is a Tennessean, born in 1840, one of eight children of Philip and Elizabeth (Pate) Draper, natives of this State, where they have always resided. Philip Draper was with Jackson in the Florida war, and was very prosperous in life. He and wife now reside at Dyer Station, Tenn. In 1861 James M. enlisted in the Confederate Service, Twelfth Tennessee Regiment, and served three years and two months. At the battle of Peach Tree Creek he was so severely wounded that he was unfitted for further service and returned home. He had received a wound previous to this. He was a resident of Texas about five years and was. engaged in farming and stock trading. He returned to Tennessee, and in 1877 located permanently on the home farm, which contains 109 acres of fairly improved land. In 1875 he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Turner, a daughter of James and Julia (West) Turner. She was born in Tennessee in 1859, and is the mother of four children, three daughters and one son. Mr. and Mrs. Draper are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and in politics he is a Democrat. The Draper family were originally from Ireland.
Dr. James H. Drane was born October 15, 1843, in Logan County, Ky., and is a son of John M. and Louisa P. (Boisseau) Drane, who were natives of Maryland and Kentucky. respectively. He was reared to manhood upon a farm. When quite small his parents moved to Dyer County, Tenn., and he received considerable of his education at the Newbern Institute. In 1862 he enlisted in the Twelfth Tennessee Regiment, and from that time until the close of the war served his country with fidelity. He then began the study of medicine with Dr. Richardson, of Dyersburg, and in 1867 attended a medical college. He located for the practice of his profession, at Dyer Station, which has since been his home and where he has secured a lucrative practice. Dr. Drane is of Irish descent, a Democrat in politics, and is a candidate at the present writing (July, 1886), for the State Senate. In 1873 Eliza R., daughter of James and Eliza R. Bobbitt, became his wife, and by him is the mother of three children: Mollie, Annie L. and John M.
W. N. L. Dunlap was born on the 5th of October, l843, one of seven children of Ebenezer and Mary L. (Harbour) Dunlap, who were born in North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. The father was born in 1803, and his boyhood days were spent on a farm. He came to Middle Tennessee when three years old, and in 1828 came to West Tennessee, and finally located in Gibson County, near Humboldt, where he became the owner of a good home. He was a Whig and a Union man, yet sympathized with the South during the war. He died in 1876 and his wife in 1882. They were prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Our subject received the advantages of the common schools, and at the age of eighteen enlisted in the Confederate Service in Company G, Forty-seventh Regiment, Tennessee Infantry, but after its reorganization it was known as the Twelfth Regiment. He was wounded at Murfreesboro, and unfitted for service for about one year. He was at Missionary Ridge, the Georgia Campaign, and was wounded at Franklin. He was taken in charge by his brother, John B., and brought home to be cared for. This ended his war record, After his recovery he engaged in farming and is now a successful fruit grower. From 1869 to 1874 he sold lightning rods through Alabama and Mississippi, but the most of his time has been spent on a farm, owning the old homestead. He is a Democrat, and has served as justice of the peace of District No. 3 since 1881. November 7, 1872, he married Sue Hess, daughter of Maj. J. A. W. Hess. They have five children: Warner B., Mary G., Anna K., Thomas W. S. and Florence L. Mr. and Mrs. Dunlap are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
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