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Below is a family biography included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published by Biographical Publishing Co. in 1894.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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DANIEL DAWSON, a prominent and highly respected citizen of Percy, who for several years has been prominent in business circles in this place, where he is engaged in general merchandising, was born in New Castle-upon-Tyne, England, on the 21st of May, 1824, and is the third child of Edward and Ann (Rodam) Dawson, who were also natives of England, and there spent their entire lives.

The subject of this sketch attended the public schools of his native land until fourteen years of age, when he entered the mines, where he was employed until twenty years of age. During that time he regularly attended night school, for he wished to acquire a good education and make himself a well informed man. He lived in England when there was nothing but wooden railroads in that country, and he saw what was called the “Puffing Billy,” the first engine that drew a car-load of coal in Great Britain. He also heard the funeral sermon of George IV., and saw Lady Byron’s maid who caused the separation of Lord and Lady Byron.

In 1852 Mr. Dawson bade adieu to his old home and friends and sailed for America, landing in New York on the 22d of September. He first located in Cannelton, Ind., where he remained for a few months, and then removed to Hawesville, Ky., where he worked for a year and a-half. His next place of residence was in Maryland, where he was employed for eight months, after which he went to Arkansas, spending two years in that state. Returning to the north, he located at Saline Mines, near Shawneetown, Ill., in 1856, and began work in the mines, where he continued his labors until 1872, when he went to Du Quoin, Perry County. Four years later we find him in Campbell Hill, Ill., where he made his home from 1877 until 1892. That year witnessed his arrival in Percy, where he has since resided. He here established a general merchandise store, which he yet conducts, doing a good business in that line. He is now well advanced in years, but is still quite active, and ably manages his business interests.

Mr. Dawson has one son, who is engaged in railroading in the employ of the Cotton Belt Railroad Company. Our subject is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in his political views he was in early life a stanch Abolitionist. When the Republican party was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery, he joined its ranks, and has since been one of its stanch supporters. He warmly advocates its principles and does all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of the party. During the administrations of Presidents Garfield and Arthur he filled the position of Postmaster of Campbell Hill, and has also served as Justice of the Peace. He came to America in the hope of bettering his financial condition, and his hope has certainly been realized. Although his life has been one of labor, he has secured a comfortable home and has acquired a competence.

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This family biography is one of 679 biographies included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published in 1894.  View the complete description here: The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois

View additional Jackson County, Illinois family biographies here: Jackson County, Illinois Biographies

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