My Genealogy Hound

ISAAC F. DAWSON, farmer; P. O. Le Roy; one of the early settlers of McLean Co.; his ancestors were among the early pioneers of McLean Co., and are prominently mentioned in another part of this work; he was born in what is now Padua Township, McLean Co., Sept. 18, 1838; he lived with his father and followed farming until 23 years of age, when, upon June 17, 1861, he enlisted in the 20th I. V. I., and went forward to battle for the Union; he was engaged in the campaigns through Missouri and Arkansas, the battles of Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Britton’s Lane, Fort Gibson, Jackson, Miss., Champion Hills, and upon the 19th of May, 1863, took a position in the rear of Vicksburg, and upon the 22d inst. took part in the gallant charge made upon the rebel breastworks, in which the Union army were repulsed with great loss; here he remained until the surrender of Vicksburg, July 4, 1863, and the following winter remained at Black River; in the spring of 1864, he joined the army of Sherman, and was engaged in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain after his term of enlistment had expired; he then returned to Nashville, where he received his discharge in July, 1864, having served in the Union army upward of three years; never was wounded nor taken prisoner, but had his clothing shot through several times; was never reprimanded nor put in the guard-house, nor was ever off duty. Upon receiving his discharge, he returned to McLean Co., where he has since followed farming; he removed upon his present place in 1865. His marriage with Nancy Buck was celebrated Dec 25 1864; she was born in McLean Co., Ill., Feb. 19, 1843; they have two children by this union, viz.: Maud E., born Jan. 13, 1872; and Claud E., born Feb. 23, 1876. Mrs. Dawson is the youngest daughter of Hiram Buck, one of the early pioneers, whose biography will be found among the biographies of Empire Township, in this work.