My Genealogy Hound

Richard Dinsdale, county assessor, De Vall’s Bluff, Ark. The locality in which De Vall’s Bluff is situated is indeed fortunate in having among its citizens such a man as Richard Dinsdale is conceded to be, for his connection with the interests of the county in a quiet, but none the less effective way, has proven to be of much benefit and influence, and of no little importance. He was born in Yorkshire, England, May 10, 1835, and was the youngest of eight children, the fruits of the union of John and Isabella (Thwaite) Dinsdale, both natives of Yorkshire, England. The ancestors were farmers for generations back, and on both sides were of English descent. The father died in his native country in 1837, and the mother received her final summons in 1863. Their children were named as follows: Alexander (married at Brownmore, Yorkshire, England, was an extensive stock and dairy farmer and died, leaving one daughter, Isabella, now Mrs. Thomas Willain, of Brownmore, England), Simon (married and settled in Yorkshire, England, was a farmer, and died in 1887 or 1888, leaving one daughter, Rose, who is now Mrs. Hebden and resides in England), George (married and settled at Gale, England, was an inn keeper, and died in 1883), Ann (married Robert Pratt, and died in England in 1880), Fawcett (married, and settled near Melbourne, Australia, in 1851, where he is engaged in farming), Jane (died at the age of six years) and Richard. The latter was reared on a dairy farm in Yorkshire, England, received his education in the schools of that country, and, at the age of twenty-one years, left Liverpool, on a sailing vessel, and, after an ocean voyage of five weeks, landed at Castle Garden, New York City. From there he went direct to La Crosse, Wis., remained there one year, and, in the spring of 1857, in company with nine others, crossed overland to Blue Earth County, Minn., where he entered 120 acres, near Mankato. This he improved, and also speculated in buying and selling land. In October, 1861, he enlisted in an independent battalion of Minnesota Volunteers and was mustered into service at Fort Snelling, Minn., November 1. From there he was sent to Benton Barracks, Mo., and participated in the battle of Fort Donelson, after which he was engaged in guard duty as escort to the telegraph corps through Kentucky and Tennessee. He was discharged at St. Paul, November 30, 1864, remained there a short time, and, in January, 1865, started for De Vall’s Bluff, Ark., where he was engaged in the general grocery business. This he continued until 1873. During this time he was appointed county treasurer by Powell Clayton, and served four years. He subsequently engaged in agricultural pursuits, and is the owner of 400 acres of land, while his wife has 200 acres, making 600 acres in all, with about fifty acres under cultivation. He was married at De Vall’s Bluff, Ark., in 1873, to Mrs. S. A. Brooks, a native of West Tennessee, and the result of this union has been two children: Isabella (died at the age of four years) and Maggie (who died at the age of eight years). Mr. and Mrs. Dinsdale are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Socially, Mr. Dinsdale is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Hamilton-Lodge No. 110, he being Worshipful Master of the lodge. He is also a member of the Chapter, a member of Occidental Council No. 1, Little Rock, and belongs to De Vall’s Bluff Lodge No. 2172, K. of H., which he has represented in the Grand Lodge. He takes an active part in politics, and his vote is cast with the Republican party. He also takes a deep interest in educational matters and has been a member of the school board for years. He has been a member of the town council a number of terms. He was elected county assessor in 1888, which position he fills to the satisfaction of all.