1st Lt. & Adjutant LANSING JEFFERSON DAWDY, Co. F & Regimental Staff, 86th Illinois
Lansing J. Dawdy was born on June 16, 1837 in either Marshall County or Woodford County, Illinois, the son of Howell Dawdy (Dowdy) and Elizabeth (Ralston) Dawdy (Dowdy), both of whom were born in Kentucky. Howell Dowdy and Eliza N. Ralston were most likely married in Glasgow, Barren County, Kentucky on April 6, 1829, but the date of April 7, 1830 has also bee seen. Howell is believed to have been born c. 1810, while Elizabeth was born c. October 12, 1806.
The Dawdys came to Illinois between 1835 and 1837, settling briefly in either the Woodford County or Marshall County, or possible even briefly in both. About 1838, the Dawdys moved to Knox County, Illinois, where they resided in the area that would eventually become Indian Point Township. The family remained there until about 1843, when they moved to a farm in an area of Knox County that would eventually become part of Chestnut Township. It was there in the Chestnut Township area that Lansing's mother, Eliza (or Elizabeth), died c. January 12, 1847 at the age of 40 years and 3 months. Her mortal remains were laid in the Boydstun-Dawdy Cemetery near Abingdon, Knox County, Illinois.
After his wife's death, Howell Dawdy (Dowdy) is believed to have spent most of the remainder of his life in McDonough County, Illinois, with some of his children there. Howell is believed to have died in McDonough County about 1864. It is not known where his mortal remains were laid.
Howell and Eliza were the parents of nine children. They include;
1. Alfred Ralston Dawdy, born c. March 16, 1830/31 in Barren County, Kentucky; At the time of the 1850 census, Alfred is found residing with J. N. and Elizabeth Dawdy, very likely his aunt and uncle, in Knox County, Illinois;
J N Dawdy M 38 Kentucky
Elizabeth Dawdy F 36 Kentucky
Casandre Dawdy F 15 Kentucky
Mary Dawdy F 13 Kentucky
James Dawdy M 12 Kentucky
John Dawdy M 10 Kentucky
Samuel Dawdy M 8 Kentucky
Sarah E Dawdy F 6 Kentucky
Harriet Dawdy F 4 Kentucky
Alfred R Dawdy M 20 Kentucky
Alfred Ralston Dawdy was married to Mary Emily Gunter (1832 - 1915) on June 10, 1852 in Warren County, Illinois.
At the time of the 1870 census, Alfred and his family are found residing in ___________ County, Illinois;
Alfred R Dawdy M 40 Kentucky
Mary Dawdy F 37 Kentucky
Francis Dawdy M 17 Illinois
Margaret Dawdy F 12 Iowa
Phebe Dawdy F 10 Iowa
Martha Dawdy F 3 Illinois
Charles Dawdy M 0 Illinois
John Dawdy M 34 Kentucky
At the time of the 1880 census, Alfred and his family are found in Marshall, Louisa County, Iowa, where he is farming;
Self Alfred R Dawdy M 50 Kentucky
Son Marion Dawdy M 27 Illinois
Other Edward Washburn M 28 New York
Daughter Phoebe Ann Dawdy F 20 Iowa
Wife Mary E Dawdy F 47 Kentucky
Son Charlie L Dawdy M 10 Illinois
Son Freddie F Dawdy M 8 Illinois
In the 1880's or 1890's the Dawdys moved to Kansas. At the time of the 1900 census, Alfred and his family are found in Ward 2 of the City of Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas. This census states that Alfred and Mary were the parents of 7 children, 4 of whom were still living in 1900;
Head Alfred Dawdy M Mar 1830 70 Kentucky
Wife Mary Dawdy F Nov 1832 68 Kentucky
Son Fred Dawdy M Oct 1871 29 Illinois
Alfred Ralston Dawdy died on December 16, 1912 in Neosho County, Kansas. His mortal remains were laid to rest in the Leanna Cemetery, Neosho County, Kansas; See his Find A Grave site for more information about him and his family.
2. James H. Dawdy, born c. 1833/34
3. William R. Dawdy, born c. 1831/32
4. John A. Dawdy, born c. 1835/36 in Kentucky; living with his older brother, Alfred, in ___________ County, Illinois at the time of the 1870 census.
5. Margaret M. Dawdy, born c. 1836/37; Nothing is known or has been found pertaining to Margaret M. Dawdy.
6. Lansing J. Dawdy, born June 16, 1837 in Illinois; See his biography below.
7. Joseph M. Dawdy, born c. 1839/40; At the time of the 1860 census, Joseph Dawdy is found residing with the Meek family in Indian Point Township, Knox County, Illinois;
Daniel Meek M 60 Ky
Permelia Meek F 25 Ky
Wm Meek M 23 Ills
Elisabeth Meek F 14 Ills
Harriett Meek F 12 Ills
Sanford Meek M 10 Ills
Katey Meek F 5 Ills
Daniel Meek M 2 Ills
John Jones M 24 Wales
Joseph Dody M 21 Ills
Wm Pearbody M 22 Ills
Wm Riggs M 21 Ills
At the time of the 1900 census, a Joseph Dawdy is found in Townships 7-12S in Ranges 1-4 Edgemont city, Fall River County, South Dakota. He was born in Illinois in May of 1839 and his parents were both born in Kentucky. Nothing more is known about Joseph Dawdy at this time.
8. Andrew J. Dawdy, born c. 1840/41
9. Henry C. Dawdy, born c. 1843/44
Now to continue with the biography of Lansing J. Dawdy. As stated above, when he was about one year old, Lansing's parents moved the family to Knox County, Illinois. This would be Lansing's residence for most of the rest of his life. He grew up on the family farm and attended school until about the age of 20. Lansing is then believed to have spent a year in Kansas, where his older brother, Alfred, would eventually take up residence, but then returned to Illinois, where Lansing attended Abingdon College for about a year. Lansing J. Dawdy then is believed to have taught school during the school year, 1858-59.
On August 1, 1862, Lansing J. Dawdy volunteered at Maquon, Illinois to serve in a company which was being raised in Maquon, Illinois by a local Carpenter, Contractor and Businessman by the name of James L. Burhalter. At the time he volunteered, Lansing gave his occupation as farmer.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name DAWDY, LANSING J Rank PVT
Company F Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence MAQUON, KNOX CO, IL Age 25 Height 5' 10 Hair SANDY
Eyes BLUE Complexion LIGHT Marital Status SINGLE Occupation FARMER
Nativity WOODFORD CO, IL
Service Record
Joined When AUG 1, 1862 Joined Where MAQUON, IL
Joined By Whom J L BURKHALTER Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks TRANS TO NON COM STAFF AUG 27, 1862
When Burkhalter had about 100 volunteers, he led the Maquon company into Peoria, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. Burkhalter was elected by the men of the Maquon company to be their Captain and on August 27, 1862, Captain Burkhalter and 93 of his volunteers were mustered in as Co. F of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
However, sometime before August 27, 1862, Lansing J. Dawdy was selected to serve as the Sergeant Major of the 86th Illinois and he was soon transferred to the Non Commissioned Staff of the 86th. So on, August 27, 1862, Lansing J. Dawdy was mustered in as the first Sergeant Major of the 86th Illinois.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name DAWDY, LANSING J
Rank SGM Company HQ Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence MAQUON, KNOX CO, IL Age 27 Height N/A Hair N/A
Eyes N/A Complexion N/A Marital Status N/A Occupation N/A
Nativity N/A
Service Record
Joined When AUG 1, 1862 Joined Where MAQUON, IL
Joined By Whom J L BURKHALTER Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks PROMOTED ADJUTANT
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out of the gates of Camp Lyon, Capt. James L. Burkhalter proudly leading Co. F, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, down to the railroade depot. There they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, whom had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. At the depot, the men of the 85th & 86th boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt in Jeffersonville, Indiana, which was located across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Three weeks later, the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade in the army commanded by Union General Buell. They were in pursuit of the last Confederate troops in Kentucky, who were under the command of Confederate General Braxton Bragg. In October of 1862, Buell's army caught up with that of Bragg's army and on Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 85th & 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the coming years. After the Battle of Perryville, the Confederate troops withdrew from Kentucky, while the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee, where they would spend the winter of 1862/63 as well as the spring and summer of 1863.
During the next two years, Sergeant Major Lansing J. Dawdy would serve faithfully as the men of the 86th served in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Georgia. During this time, Sergeant Major Dawdy was witness to and a participant in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chickamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; and Rome, Georgia. On November 16, 1863, the Adjutant of the 86th, Lt. Charles D. Irons, resigned from the service. At that time, an election was held among the officers and Sergeant Major Lansing J. Dawdy was elected to serve as the new Adjutant and was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. He was mustered as such on December 19, 1863, while the 86th was stationed in the Chattanooga, Tennessee area.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name DAWDY, LANSING J
Rank ADJ Company HQ Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence Age 26 Height N/A Hair N/A
Eyes N/A Complexion N/A Marital Status N/A Occupation N/A
Nativity N/A
Service Record
Joined When DEC 19, 1863 Joined Where CHATTANOOGA, TN
Joined By Whom GOV OF ILL Period 3 YRS
Muster In DEC 19, 1863 Muster In Where CHATTANNOGA, TN
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks DISCHARGED APR 25, 1865 FROM WOUNDS
In the spring of 1864, Lt. Lansing J. Dawdy was there with the surviving members of the 86th Illinois when they began the Campaign for Atlanta. As stated above, he was almost certainly present during the Battles of Resaca, Georgia and Rome, Georgia in May of 1864, but, it was on June 27, 1864, that the men of the 86th suffered the most.
On the morning of June 27th, the men of McCook's Brigade found themselves across from Cheatham Hill on Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia. The five Union Regiments of McCook's Brigade were formed in line of battle, one regiment stacked behind the other, the 86th Illinois third in line. It was hoped that this formation would allow the Union Brigade to punch a hole in the Confederate line, each regiment giving some protection to the regiment in back of it. When the signal gun fired, the men of the brigade stepped off and moved down a hill, crossed a small stream and then moved through a wheat field before beginning the climb up Cheatham Hill and the Confederate breastworks toward an angle in the Confederate line that was soon to be called "The Dead Angle." The following assault, which proved to be only partially successful, lasted less than 30 minutes. On the evening of June 27, 1864, Sgt. Levi A. Ross, a member of Co. K of the 86th, wrote the following of the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. "Our forces rushed upon the rebels five lines deep and in fifteen minutes were hurled back, by them, leaving 2500 brave Union Soldiers dead within twenty feet of the Enemy's works. The loss in the 86th was 106 -- in our Brig. over 400."
When the men of the 86th fell back from the Confederate works on Cheatham Hill, one of the missing men was the Adjutant of the 86th, Lt. Lansing J. Dawdy. During the fight near the Confederate breastworks, Lt. Dawdy was shot in the right chest, the ball apparently passing all the way through his body. When the Union assault faltered, the men of McCook's Brigade were forced to withdraw leaving most of their dead and wounded behind. Lt. Dawdy was left behind for dead at this time. It appears that Dawdy lay between the lines for a day or so before his near lifeless body was found. One biography states that, "He laid there a day and a night. Was in the Rebel's domain. Two Rebels found him and one raised his musket to shoot him when they saw he was not dead, and he knew enough to give them the Masonic sign. And the man that was a Mason knocked the gun up and told the other man not to shoot. They carried him to an old darky's cabin and she nursed him back to life. Of course, he was a prisoner. They drew a silk handkerchief through him and cleaned out the wound and he lived."
Lt. Dawdy was apparently confined initially in the Atlanta area and a biography continued that "during the time made many friends among the enemy. He was about to be taken to the residence of a private family, by consent of the surgeon in charge, and a room and bed was prepared for him in the domicile spoken of, but just as he was on the point of being removed a shell from Sherman's guns came crashing through the house and completely demolished the bed in which he was to lie."
Lt. Dawdy was later apparently moved to Macon, Georgia where he was confined for some time, before being sent on to Savannah, Georgia and then Charleston, South Carolina, before being paroled from there. Lt Dawdy was sent from there to Annapolis, Maryland and two weeks later he was sufficiently recovered to travel. He was then sent to Camp Chase, located near Columbus, Ohio early in January of , 1865, where he was put in charge of the paroled forces there. Lt. Dawdy remained there until March of 1865 when he was transferred to a General Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. Shortly afterward, however, he was sent back to Ohio to the Officer's Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was from there that on May 1, 1865, Lt. Lansing J. Dawdy was honorably discharged from the service for wounds. On May 4, 1866, Lt. Lansing J. Dawdy began collecting an Invalid Pension.
On February 8, 1866, Lansing J. Dawdy was united in marriage in the Village of Maquon, Knox County, Illinois to Miss Alice E. Huber. Alice was born on January 21, 1849 in the area of Knox County, that was to become Haw Creek Township, one of three children born to S_______ A. Huber and Ruth (Barrett) Huber, who were among the pioneers of this county and made their settlement in Haw Creek Township.
Three children were born to Lansing and Alice. They are;
1. Callista L. Dawdy, born c. January/February of 1871 in Illinois; died on July 4, 1888 at the age of 17 years and 5 months; Her mortal remains were laid in Section 1 of the Maquon Cemetery in Maquon, Knox County, Illinois.
2. Lansing J. Dawdy Jr., born c. 1875; died c. January 11, 1878 at the age of 2 and his mortal remains were laid in Section 1 of the Maquon Cemetery in Maquon, Knox County, Illinois.
3. Emma H. Dawdy, born c. 1877/78 in Illinois.
At the time of the 1880 census, the Dawdy family is found in Maquon, Knox County, Illinois, where he is employed as a Clerk in a Dry Goods Store;
Self Lansing J Dawdy M 42 Illinois
Wife Alice E Dawdy F 31 Illinois
Daughter Calista L Dawdy F 9 Illinois
Daughter Emma H Dawdy F 2 Illinois
Maquon area Pensioners as of October of 1883;
MAQUON
Francis G. Blake widow 8.00
Elizabeth Allen widow 10.00
Henry M. Richard wd. r. ft. 4.00
Thomas Hanes dropsy 8.00
Willam A. Lewis dis. eyes 18.00
John Hall var. veins both legs; inj to abd. 17.00
David McWilliams dis. lungs 8.00
Adam Kinser injury r. ankle 14.00
William G. Sargeant wd. l. arm 10.00
Cary T. Thurman chr. diarr. 8.00
Robert Peak loss l. leg 24.00
Lansing J. Dawdy g. s. w. r. breast 12.75
From the 1886 Biographical Album of Knox County, Illinois;
"DAWDY, LANSING J., but a few short years ago the fine productive farms which can now be seen in almost any direction in the county, were wild and uncultivated tracts of prairie land. They have been brought to an advanced condition through the energy and perseverance of men who came here to establish permanent homes and who have labored industriously to that end. Yet, not alone to the agriculturist is the advancement and growth of Knox County attributable. The business men—the merchants and the professional men—were alike necessary to develop the county to the magnificent position it occupies today in comparison with other counties of the State. As one of Knox County's most honored and respected citizens, and a gentleman who has been identified with its past growth and development as a farmer and merchant, we take pleasure in mentioning the name of Lansing J. Dawdy.
The parents of Mr. Dawdy, Howell and Elizabeth (Ralston) Dawdy, were natives of Kentucky. They were married in that State and continued to reside there until they came to Marshall County, IL. From the latter county they removed hither in 1838, locating in Indian Point Township. There the father followed farming for a livelihood for about five years, when, with his family, he removed to Chestnut Township, and there his good wife, mother of our subject, died in 1845. The father afterward broke up house-keeping and concluded to live with his children in McDonough County, IL., until his demise in 1864. He and his wife were the parents of nine children, named: Alfred R., James H., William R., John A., Margaret M., Lansing j., Joseph M., Andrew J., and Henry C.
Lansing J. Dawdy was born while his parents lived in Marshall County, this State, June 16, 1837, and was about one year of age when his parents came to this county. Having lived here continuously since that time, Mr. Dawdy may be said to have been identified with the best interests of Knox County during his life. He spent his early years on a farm, and attended school, alternating the two until 20 years of age. He then spent one season in Kansas, and after returning to this State, entered Abingdon College, and was there engaged in study for about a year.
Lansing J. Dawdy taught the school in 1858 and 1859. He was a fine teacher. At the breaking out of the late Civil War, our subject was engaged in the work of a pedagogue, but abandoned the same, and August 1, 1862, enlisted in the 86th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served his country bravely and well for two years and nine months. He enlisted as a private and was promoted to Adjutant of the Regiment. In the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, June 27, 1864, he was wounded by a shot through the body, and at the same time taken prisoner. He was confined at Atlanta and during the time made many friends among the enemy. He was about to be taken to the residence of a private family, by consent of the surgeon in charge, and a room and bed was prepared for him in the domicile spoken of, but just as he was on the point of being removed a shell from Sherman's guns came crashing through the house and completely demolished the bed in which he was to lie. He was also confined at Macon, Savannah, and Charleston and was paroled at the latter place, and came from there to Annapolis, Md., and two weeks later he was sufficiently recovered to travel. After convalescing he went to Camp Chase, early in January, 1865, near Columbus, Ohio, and took charge of the paroled forces, and continued there until March, when he was transferred to St. Louis, and from there sent to the Officer's Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio, where, on the 1st day of May, 1865, he received an honorable discharge. During the time Mr. D was in the service, he passed through a good many engagements; among the most noteworthy was Perryville, Ky., Mission Ridge, Sheppard's Run, Buzzard's Roost and that of Kenesaw Mountain.
Receiving his discharge from the army, our subject at once returned to his home in this county and again entered upon the peaceful pursuits of life. He engaged as merchant's clerk in a dry-goods store in Maquon village, the firm being D. Housh & Sons, and was in their employ, off and on, for three years. In the fall of 1868, Mr. Dawdy removed to Iowa, where he embarked in the nursery business, and continuing at the same for six years met with signal success. At the end of this time he disposed of his stock, returned to Maquon and there resided until 1878, in the meanwhile speculating in whatever offered him a chance to increase his exchequer.
In 1878, he entered the employ of G.D. Crocker at Maquon, and had charge of the store which he soon afterward bought, and which business he conducts at the present time. He carries a good stock of general merchandise and by fair and honest dealing with his patrons has established a constantly increasing trade. He owns village property at that place and also a farm in Iowa.
Mr. Dawdy was married in Maquon village, Feb. 8, 1866, to Alice E. Huber, daughter of S.A. and Ruth (Barrett) Huber. Her parents were among the pioneers of this county and made their settlement in Haw Creek Township. They are now residents of Maquon, and the children born to them were three in number; Alice E., Catherine, and Belle. Mrs. Dawdy was born in Haw Creek Township, Jan. 21, 1849. She and her husband are the parents of three children: Lansing J., Jr.; Callista L., and Emma H.
Mr. Dawdy has been Township Clerk, Assessor, and also a member of the Village Board. Socially, he is a prominent member of the order of Masonry, and likewise belongs to Post 552, G. A. R.
Religiously, Mrs. Dawdy is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. D. votes with the Democrats."
From the New Georgia Enclyclopedia;
"Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield and the Illinois Monument of Cheatham Hill
Today, visitors can explore this battlefield, thanks in part to the foresight of Lansing J. Dawdy, an Illinois veteran of the battle. In 1899 Dawdy purchased sixty acres of land near the Dead Angle. The property was transferred in 1904 to the Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Association. In 1914, to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the battle, the organization erected a monument dedicated to the Illinois soldiers who fell in the assault on Cheatham Hill. However, unable to restore the battlefield as planned, the association transferred ownership of the property to the federal government in 1916, and the next year Congress authorized the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield site.
"...After the war, survivors of the brigade established the Colonel Dan McCook Brigade Association in memory of their fallen commander. To honor the sacrifice that he and other fellow soldiers had made, the association decided to acquire the land at Cheatham Hill where Colonel McCook had fallen. In December 1899, Lansing J. Dawdy, a veteran of the 86th Illinois who had fought at Cheatham Hill, returned to Cobb County and on December 26 he purchased from Virgil Channell a 60 acre tract which included the Federal and Confederate trenches and the intervening land over which the Federals had fought.
On February 15, 1900, Dawdy conveyed the land to Martin Kingman and John McGinnis who, in turn, transferred the 60 acre tract to the Colonel Dan McCook. Brigade Association on August 13, 1904. According to the deed, Kingman and McGinnis had been acting on behalf of the Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Association, a non-profit organization, chartered under the laws of the State of Illinois, that had been established for the purpose of erecting a monument or monuments on the property in memory of those who had fought and died there.
With this goal, the Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Association began a fundraising campaign. A letter, sent to surviving veterans of the 85th, 86th, and 125th Regiments, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company I, 2nd Illinois Light Artillery, the 22nd Indiana Regiment Volunteer Infantry and the 52nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, asked them to contribute at least one dollar in memory of their fallen comrades. It soon became apparent that the amount of money required for a monument was beyond the Association's means, so it enlisted the aid of the State of Illinois."
At the time of the 1910 census, Lansing and Alice are found in what is called Ward 5 of the City of Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois;
Head Lansing J Dawdy M 70 Illinois
Wife Allice E Dawdy F 60 Illinois
At the time of the 1920 census, Lansing is found residing in the City of Bonifay, Holmes County, Florida;
Head Alex Sessoms M 64 North Carolina
Son William A Sessoms M 40 North Carolina
Daughter-in-law Emma D Sessoms F 41 Illinois
Head Lancine J Dawdy M 83 Illinois
Wife Alice E Dawdy F 70 Illinois
According to his death certificate, Lieutenant Lansing Jefferson Dawdy died on November 26, 1923 at Bonifay, Holmes County, Florida at the age of 86y 5m 10d. He was widowed and his parents are listed as Howard Dawdy and Elizabeth Rolston, both of whom were born in Kentucky. Lansing was residing in Bonifoy, Florida, with his daughter, at the time of his death. He apparently died in the home of his daughter and his remains were returned to Knox County, Illinois, where they were laid to rest in the Maquon Cemetery in Maquon, Knox County, Illinois on November 27, 1923.
by Baxter B. Fite III
(Baxter would love to hear from anyone, especially descendants of the Dawdy family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on Lansing J. Dawdy and the Dawdy family. Baxter would also like to see copies of any other photographs of Lansing that have survived the years, even ones of him as an older gentleman, added to his Find A Grave site for all to see.)
Lansing J. Dawdy was born on June 16, 1837 in either Marshall County or Woodford County, Illinois, the son of Howell Dawdy (Dowdy) and Elizabeth (Ralston) Dawdy (Dowdy), both of whom were born in Kentucky. Howell Dowdy and Eliza N. Ralston were most likely married in Glasgow, Barren County, Kentucky on April 6, 1829, but the date of April 7, 1830 has also bee seen. Howell is believed to have been born c. 1810, while Elizabeth was born c. October 12, 1806.
The Dawdys came to Illinois between 1835 and 1837, settling briefly in either the Woodford County or Marshall County, or possible even briefly in both. About 1838, the Dawdys moved to Knox County, Illinois, where they resided in the area that would eventually become Indian Point Township. The family remained there until about 1843, when they moved to a farm in an area of Knox County that would eventually become part of Chestnut Township. It was there in the Chestnut Township area that Lansing's mother, Eliza (or Elizabeth), died c. January 12, 1847 at the age of 40 years and 3 months. Her mortal remains were laid in the Boydstun-Dawdy Cemetery near Abingdon, Knox County, Illinois.
After his wife's death, Howell Dawdy (Dowdy) is believed to have spent most of the remainder of his life in McDonough County, Illinois, with some of his children there. Howell is believed to have died in McDonough County about 1864. It is not known where his mortal remains were laid.
Howell and Eliza were the parents of nine children. They include;
1. Alfred Ralston Dawdy, born c. March 16, 1830/31 in Barren County, Kentucky; At the time of the 1850 census, Alfred is found residing with J. N. and Elizabeth Dawdy, very likely his aunt and uncle, in Knox County, Illinois;
J N Dawdy M 38 Kentucky
Elizabeth Dawdy F 36 Kentucky
Casandre Dawdy F 15 Kentucky
Mary Dawdy F 13 Kentucky
James Dawdy M 12 Kentucky
John Dawdy M 10 Kentucky
Samuel Dawdy M 8 Kentucky
Sarah E Dawdy F 6 Kentucky
Harriet Dawdy F 4 Kentucky
Alfred R Dawdy M 20 Kentucky
Alfred Ralston Dawdy was married to Mary Emily Gunter (1832 - 1915) on June 10, 1852 in Warren County, Illinois.
At the time of the 1870 census, Alfred and his family are found residing in ___________ County, Illinois;
Alfred R Dawdy M 40 Kentucky
Mary Dawdy F 37 Kentucky
Francis Dawdy M 17 Illinois
Margaret Dawdy F 12 Iowa
Phebe Dawdy F 10 Iowa
Martha Dawdy F 3 Illinois
Charles Dawdy M 0 Illinois
John Dawdy M 34 Kentucky
At the time of the 1880 census, Alfred and his family are found in Marshall, Louisa County, Iowa, where he is farming;
Self Alfred R Dawdy M 50 Kentucky
Son Marion Dawdy M 27 Illinois
Other Edward Washburn M 28 New York
Daughter Phoebe Ann Dawdy F 20 Iowa
Wife Mary E Dawdy F 47 Kentucky
Son Charlie L Dawdy M 10 Illinois
Son Freddie F Dawdy M 8 Illinois
In the 1880's or 1890's the Dawdys moved to Kansas. At the time of the 1900 census, Alfred and his family are found in Ward 2 of the City of Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas. This census states that Alfred and Mary were the parents of 7 children, 4 of whom were still living in 1900;
Head Alfred Dawdy M Mar 1830 70 Kentucky
Wife Mary Dawdy F Nov 1832 68 Kentucky
Son Fred Dawdy M Oct 1871 29 Illinois
Alfred Ralston Dawdy died on December 16, 1912 in Neosho County, Kansas. His mortal remains were laid to rest in the Leanna Cemetery, Neosho County, Kansas; See his Find A Grave site for more information about him and his family.
2. James H. Dawdy, born c. 1833/34
3. William R. Dawdy, born c. 1831/32
4. John A. Dawdy, born c. 1835/36 in Kentucky; living with his older brother, Alfred, in ___________ County, Illinois at the time of the 1870 census.
5. Margaret M. Dawdy, born c. 1836/37; Nothing is known or has been found pertaining to Margaret M. Dawdy.
6. Lansing J. Dawdy, born June 16, 1837 in Illinois; See his biography below.
7. Joseph M. Dawdy, born c. 1839/40; At the time of the 1860 census, Joseph Dawdy is found residing with the Meek family in Indian Point Township, Knox County, Illinois;
Daniel Meek M 60 Ky
Permelia Meek F 25 Ky
Wm Meek M 23 Ills
Elisabeth Meek F 14 Ills
Harriett Meek F 12 Ills
Sanford Meek M 10 Ills
Katey Meek F 5 Ills
Daniel Meek M 2 Ills
John Jones M 24 Wales
Joseph Dody M 21 Ills
Wm Pearbody M 22 Ills
Wm Riggs M 21 Ills
At the time of the 1900 census, a Joseph Dawdy is found in Townships 7-12S in Ranges 1-4 Edgemont city, Fall River County, South Dakota. He was born in Illinois in May of 1839 and his parents were both born in Kentucky. Nothing more is known about Joseph Dawdy at this time.
8. Andrew J. Dawdy, born c. 1840/41
9. Henry C. Dawdy, born c. 1843/44
Now to continue with the biography of Lansing J. Dawdy. As stated above, when he was about one year old, Lansing's parents moved the family to Knox County, Illinois. This would be Lansing's residence for most of the rest of his life. He grew up on the family farm and attended school until about the age of 20. Lansing is then believed to have spent a year in Kansas, where his older brother, Alfred, would eventually take up residence, but then returned to Illinois, where Lansing attended Abingdon College for about a year. Lansing J. Dawdy then is believed to have taught school during the school year, 1858-59.
On August 1, 1862, Lansing J. Dawdy volunteered at Maquon, Illinois to serve in a company which was being raised in Maquon, Illinois by a local Carpenter, Contractor and Businessman by the name of James L. Burhalter. At the time he volunteered, Lansing gave his occupation as farmer.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name DAWDY, LANSING J Rank PVT
Company F Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence MAQUON, KNOX CO, IL Age 25 Height 5' 10 Hair SANDY
Eyes BLUE Complexion LIGHT Marital Status SINGLE Occupation FARMER
Nativity WOODFORD CO, IL
Service Record
Joined When AUG 1, 1862 Joined Where MAQUON, IL
Joined By Whom J L BURKHALTER Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks TRANS TO NON COM STAFF AUG 27, 1862
When Burkhalter had about 100 volunteers, he led the Maquon company into Peoria, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. Burkhalter was elected by the men of the Maquon company to be their Captain and on August 27, 1862, Captain Burkhalter and 93 of his volunteers were mustered in as Co. F of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
However, sometime before August 27, 1862, Lansing J. Dawdy was selected to serve as the Sergeant Major of the 86th Illinois and he was soon transferred to the Non Commissioned Staff of the 86th. So on, August 27, 1862, Lansing J. Dawdy was mustered in as the first Sergeant Major of the 86th Illinois.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name DAWDY, LANSING J
Rank SGM Company HQ Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence MAQUON, KNOX CO, IL Age 27 Height N/A Hair N/A
Eyes N/A Complexion N/A Marital Status N/A Occupation N/A
Nativity N/A
Service Record
Joined When AUG 1, 1862 Joined Where MAQUON, IL
Joined By Whom J L BURKHALTER Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks PROMOTED ADJUTANT
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out of the gates of Camp Lyon, Capt. James L. Burkhalter proudly leading Co. F, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, down to the railroade depot. There they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, whom had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. At the depot, the men of the 85th & 86th boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt in Jeffersonville, Indiana, which was located across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Three weeks later, the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade in the army commanded by Union General Buell. They were in pursuit of the last Confederate troops in Kentucky, who were under the command of Confederate General Braxton Bragg. In October of 1862, Buell's army caught up with that of Bragg's army and on Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 85th & 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the coming years. After the Battle of Perryville, the Confederate troops withdrew from Kentucky, while the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee, where they would spend the winter of 1862/63 as well as the spring and summer of 1863.
During the next two years, Sergeant Major Lansing J. Dawdy would serve faithfully as the men of the 86th served in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Georgia. During this time, Sergeant Major Dawdy was witness to and a participant in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chickamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; and Rome, Georgia. On November 16, 1863, the Adjutant of the 86th, Lt. Charles D. Irons, resigned from the service. At that time, an election was held among the officers and Sergeant Major Lansing J. Dawdy was elected to serve as the new Adjutant and was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. He was mustered as such on December 19, 1863, while the 86th was stationed in the Chattanooga, Tennessee area.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name DAWDY, LANSING J
Rank ADJ Company HQ Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence Age 26 Height N/A Hair N/A
Eyes N/A Complexion N/A Marital Status N/A Occupation N/A
Nativity N/A
Service Record
Joined When DEC 19, 1863 Joined Where CHATTANOOGA, TN
Joined By Whom GOV OF ILL Period 3 YRS
Muster In DEC 19, 1863 Muster In Where CHATTANNOGA, TN
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks DISCHARGED APR 25, 1865 FROM WOUNDS
In the spring of 1864, Lt. Lansing J. Dawdy was there with the surviving members of the 86th Illinois when they began the Campaign for Atlanta. As stated above, he was almost certainly present during the Battles of Resaca, Georgia and Rome, Georgia in May of 1864, but, it was on June 27, 1864, that the men of the 86th suffered the most.
On the morning of June 27th, the men of McCook's Brigade found themselves across from Cheatham Hill on Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia. The five Union Regiments of McCook's Brigade were formed in line of battle, one regiment stacked behind the other, the 86th Illinois third in line. It was hoped that this formation would allow the Union Brigade to punch a hole in the Confederate line, each regiment giving some protection to the regiment in back of it. When the signal gun fired, the men of the brigade stepped off and moved down a hill, crossed a small stream and then moved through a wheat field before beginning the climb up Cheatham Hill and the Confederate breastworks toward an angle in the Confederate line that was soon to be called "The Dead Angle." The following assault, which proved to be only partially successful, lasted less than 30 minutes. On the evening of June 27, 1864, Sgt. Levi A. Ross, a member of Co. K of the 86th, wrote the following of the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. "Our forces rushed upon the rebels five lines deep and in fifteen minutes were hurled back, by them, leaving 2500 brave Union Soldiers dead within twenty feet of the Enemy's works. The loss in the 86th was 106 -- in our Brig. over 400."
When the men of the 86th fell back from the Confederate works on Cheatham Hill, one of the missing men was the Adjutant of the 86th, Lt. Lansing J. Dawdy. During the fight near the Confederate breastworks, Lt. Dawdy was shot in the right chest, the ball apparently passing all the way through his body. When the Union assault faltered, the men of McCook's Brigade were forced to withdraw leaving most of their dead and wounded behind. Lt. Dawdy was left behind for dead at this time. It appears that Dawdy lay between the lines for a day or so before his near lifeless body was found. One biography states that, "He laid there a day and a night. Was in the Rebel's domain. Two Rebels found him and one raised his musket to shoot him when they saw he was not dead, and he knew enough to give them the Masonic sign. And the man that was a Mason knocked the gun up and told the other man not to shoot. They carried him to an old darky's cabin and she nursed him back to life. Of course, he was a prisoner. They drew a silk handkerchief through him and cleaned out the wound and he lived."
Lt. Dawdy was apparently confined initially in the Atlanta area and a biography continued that "during the time made many friends among the enemy. He was about to be taken to the residence of a private family, by consent of the surgeon in charge, and a room and bed was prepared for him in the domicile spoken of, but just as he was on the point of being removed a shell from Sherman's guns came crashing through the house and completely demolished the bed in which he was to lie."
Lt. Dawdy was later apparently moved to Macon, Georgia where he was confined for some time, before being sent on to Savannah, Georgia and then Charleston, South Carolina, before being paroled from there. Lt Dawdy was sent from there to Annapolis, Maryland and two weeks later he was sufficiently recovered to travel. He was then sent to Camp Chase, located near Columbus, Ohio early in January of , 1865, where he was put in charge of the paroled forces there. Lt. Dawdy remained there until March of 1865 when he was transferred to a General Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. Shortly afterward, however, he was sent back to Ohio to the Officer's Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was from there that on May 1, 1865, Lt. Lansing J. Dawdy was honorably discharged from the service for wounds. On May 4, 1866, Lt. Lansing J. Dawdy began collecting an Invalid Pension.
On February 8, 1866, Lansing J. Dawdy was united in marriage in the Village of Maquon, Knox County, Illinois to Miss Alice E. Huber. Alice was born on January 21, 1849 in the area of Knox County, that was to become Haw Creek Township, one of three children born to S_______ A. Huber and Ruth (Barrett) Huber, who were among the pioneers of this county and made their settlement in Haw Creek Township.
Three children were born to Lansing and Alice. They are;
1. Callista L. Dawdy, born c. January/February of 1871 in Illinois; died on July 4, 1888 at the age of 17 years and 5 months; Her mortal remains were laid in Section 1 of the Maquon Cemetery in Maquon, Knox County, Illinois.
2. Lansing J. Dawdy Jr., born c. 1875; died c. January 11, 1878 at the age of 2 and his mortal remains were laid in Section 1 of the Maquon Cemetery in Maquon, Knox County, Illinois.
3. Emma H. Dawdy, born c. 1877/78 in Illinois.
At the time of the 1880 census, the Dawdy family is found in Maquon, Knox County, Illinois, where he is employed as a Clerk in a Dry Goods Store;
Self Lansing J Dawdy M 42 Illinois
Wife Alice E Dawdy F 31 Illinois
Daughter Calista L Dawdy F 9 Illinois
Daughter Emma H Dawdy F 2 Illinois
Maquon area Pensioners as of October of 1883;
MAQUON
Francis G. Blake widow 8.00
Elizabeth Allen widow 10.00
Henry M. Richard wd. r. ft. 4.00
Thomas Hanes dropsy 8.00
Willam A. Lewis dis. eyes 18.00
John Hall var. veins both legs; inj to abd. 17.00
David McWilliams dis. lungs 8.00
Adam Kinser injury r. ankle 14.00
William G. Sargeant wd. l. arm 10.00
Cary T. Thurman chr. diarr. 8.00
Robert Peak loss l. leg 24.00
Lansing J. Dawdy g. s. w. r. breast 12.75
From the 1886 Biographical Album of Knox County, Illinois;
"DAWDY, LANSING J., but a few short years ago the fine productive farms which can now be seen in almost any direction in the county, were wild and uncultivated tracts of prairie land. They have been brought to an advanced condition through the energy and perseverance of men who came here to establish permanent homes and who have labored industriously to that end. Yet, not alone to the agriculturist is the advancement and growth of Knox County attributable. The business men—the merchants and the professional men—were alike necessary to develop the county to the magnificent position it occupies today in comparison with other counties of the State. As one of Knox County's most honored and respected citizens, and a gentleman who has been identified with its past growth and development as a farmer and merchant, we take pleasure in mentioning the name of Lansing J. Dawdy.
The parents of Mr. Dawdy, Howell and Elizabeth (Ralston) Dawdy, were natives of Kentucky. They were married in that State and continued to reside there until they came to Marshall County, IL. From the latter county they removed hither in 1838, locating in Indian Point Township. There the father followed farming for a livelihood for about five years, when, with his family, he removed to Chestnut Township, and there his good wife, mother of our subject, died in 1845. The father afterward broke up house-keeping and concluded to live with his children in McDonough County, IL., until his demise in 1864. He and his wife were the parents of nine children, named: Alfred R., James H., William R., John A., Margaret M., Lansing j., Joseph M., Andrew J., and Henry C.
Lansing J. Dawdy was born while his parents lived in Marshall County, this State, June 16, 1837, and was about one year of age when his parents came to this county. Having lived here continuously since that time, Mr. Dawdy may be said to have been identified with the best interests of Knox County during his life. He spent his early years on a farm, and attended school, alternating the two until 20 years of age. He then spent one season in Kansas, and after returning to this State, entered Abingdon College, and was there engaged in study for about a year.
Lansing J. Dawdy taught the school in 1858 and 1859. He was a fine teacher. At the breaking out of the late Civil War, our subject was engaged in the work of a pedagogue, but abandoned the same, and August 1, 1862, enlisted in the 86th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served his country bravely and well for two years and nine months. He enlisted as a private and was promoted to Adjutant of the Regiment. In the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, June 27, 1864, he was wounded by a shot through the body, and at the same time taken prisoner. He was confined at Atlanta and during the time made many friends among the enemy. He was about to be taken to the residence of a private family, by consent of the surgeon in charge, and a room and bed was prepared for him in the domicile spoken of, but just as he was on the point of being removed a shell from Sherman's guns came crashing through the house and completely demolished the bed in which he was to lie. He was also confined at Macon, Savannah, and Charleston and was paroled at the latter place, and came from there to Annapolis, Md., and two weeks later he was sufficiently recovered to travel. After convalescing he went to Camp Chase, early in January, 1865, near Columbus, Ohio, and took charge of the paroled forces, and continued there until March, when he was transferred to St. Louis, and from there sent to the Officer's Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio, where, on the 1st day of May, 1865, he received an honorable discharge. During the time Mr. D was in the service, he passed through a good many engagements; among the most noteworthy was Perryville, Ky., Mission Ridge, Sheppard's Run, Buzzard's Roost and that of Kenesaw Mountain.
Receiving his discharge from the army, our subject at once returned to his home in this county and again entered upon the peaceful pursuits of life. He engaged as merchant's clerk in a dry-goods store in Maquon village, the firm being D. Housh & Sons, and was in their employ, off and on, for three years. In the fall of 1868, Mr. Dawdy removed to Iowa, where he embarked in the nursery business, and continuing at the same for six years met with signal success. At the end of this time he disposed of his stock, returned to Maquon and there resided until 1878, in the meanwhile speculating in whatever offered him a chance to increase his exchequer.
In 1878, he entered the employ of G.D. Crocker at Maquon, and had charge of the store which he soon afterward bought, and which business he conducts at the present time. He carries a good stock of general merchandise and by fair and honest dealing with his patrons has established a constantly increasing trade. He owns village property at that place and also a farm in Iowa.
Mr. Dawdy was married in Maquon village, Feb. 8, 1866, to Alice E. Huber, daughter of S.A. and Ruth (Barrett) Huber. Her parents were among the pioneers of this county and made their settlement in Haw Creek Township. They are now residents of Maquon, and the children born to them were three in number; Alice E., Catherine, and Belle. Mrs. Dawdy was born in Haw Creek Township, Jan. 21, 1849. She and her husband are the parents of three children: Lansing J., Jr.; Callista L., and Emma H.
Mr. Dawdy has been Township Clerk, Assessor, and also a member of the Village Board. Socially, he is a prominent member of the order of Masonry, and likewise belongs to Post 552, G. A. R.
Religiously, Mrs. Dawdy is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. D. votes with the Democrats."
From the New Georgia Enclyclopedia;
"Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield and the Illinois Monument of Cheatham Hill
Today, visitors can explore this battlefield, thanks in part to the foresight of Lansing J. Dawdy, an Illinois veteran of the battle. In 1899 Dawdy purchased sixty acres of land near the Dead Angle. The property was transferred in 1904 to the Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Association. In 1914, to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the battle, the organization erected a monument dedicated to the Illinois soldiers who fell in the assault on Cheatham Hill. However, unable to restore the battlefield as planned, the association transferred ownership of the property to the federal government in 1916, and the next year Congress authorized the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield site.
"...After the war, survivors of the brigade established the Colonel Dan McCook Brigade Association in memory of their fallen commander. To honor the sacrifice that he and other fellow soldiers had made, the association decided to acquire the land at Cheatham Hill where Colonel McCook had fallen. In December 1899, Lansing J. Dawdy, a veteran of the 86th Illinois who had fought at Cheatham Hill, returned to Cobb County and on December 26 he purchased from Virgil Channell a 60 acre tract which included the Federal and Confederate trenches and the intervening land over which the Federals had fought.
On February 15, 1900, Dawdy conveyed the land to Martin Kingman and John McGinnis who, in turn, transferred the 60 acre tract to the Colonel Dan McCook. Brigade Association on August 13, 1904. According to the deed, Kingman and McGinnis had been acting on behalf of the Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Association, a non-profit organization, chartered under the laws of the State of Illinois, that had been established for the purpose of erecting a monument or monuments on the property in memory of those who had fought and died there.
With this goal, the Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Association began a fundraising campaign. A letter, sent to surviving veterans of the 85th, 86th, and 125th Regiments, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company I, 2nd Illinois Light Artillery, the 22nd Indiana Regiment Volunteer Infantry and the 52nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, asked them to contribute at least one dollar in memory of their fallen comrades. It soon became apparent that the amount of money required for a monument was beyond the Association's means, so it enlisted the aid of the State of Illinois."
At the time of the 1910 census, Lansing and Alice are found in what is called Ward 5 of the City of Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois;
Head Lansing J Dawdy M 70 Illinois
Wife Allice E Dawdy F 60 Illinois
At the time of the 1920 census, Lansing is found residing in the City of Bonifay, Holmes County, Florida;
Head Alex Sessoms M 64 North Carolina
Son William A Sessoms M 40 North Carolina
Daughter-in-law Emma D Sessoms F 41 Illinois
Head Lancine J Dawdy M 83 Illinois
Wife Alice E Dawdy F 70 Illinois
According to his death certificate, Lieutenant Lansing Jefferson Dawdy died on November 26, 1923 at Bonifay, Holmes County, Florida at the age of 86y 5m 10d. He was widowed and his parents are listed as Howard Dawdy and Elizabeth Rolston, both of whom were born in Kentucky. Lansing was residing in Bonifoy, Florida, with his daughter, at the time of his death. He apparently died in the home of his daughter and his remains were returned to Knox County, Illinois, where they were laid to rest in the Maquon Cemetery in Maquon, Knox County, Illinois on November 27, 1923.
by Baxter B. Fite III
(Baxter would love to hear from anyone, especially descendants of the Dawdy family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on Lansing J. Dawdy and the Dawdy family. Baxter would also like to see copies of any other photographs of Lansing that have survived the years, even ones of him as an older gentleman, added to his Find A Grave site for all to see.)
1st Lt. & Adjutant LANSING JEFFERSON DAWDY, Co. F & Regimental Staff, 86th Illinois
Lansing J. Dawdy was born on June 16, 1837 in either Marshall County or Woodford County, Illinois, the son of Howell Dawdy (Dowdy) and Elizabeth (Ralston) Dawdy (Dowdy), both of whom were born in Kentucky. Howell Dowdy and Eliza N. Ralston were most likely married in Glasgow, Barren County, Kentucky on April 6, 1829, but the date of April 7, 1830 has also bee seen. Howell is believed to have been born c. 1810, while Elizabeth was born c. October 12, 1806.
The Dawdys came to Illinois between 1835 and 1837, settling briefly in either the Woodford County or Marshall County, or possible even briefly in both. About 1838, the Dawdys moved to Knox County, Illinois, where they resided in the area that would eventually become Indian Point Township. The family remained there until about 1843, when they moved to a farm in an area of Knox County that would eventually become part of Chestnut Township. It was there in the Chestnut Township area that Lansing's mother, Eliza (or Elizabeth), died c. January 12, 1847 at the age of 40 years and 3 months. Her mortal remains were laid in the Boydstun-Dawdy Cemetery near Abingdon, Knox County, Illinois.
After his wife's death, Howell Dawdy (Dowdy) is believed to have spent most of the remainder of his life in McDonough County, Illinois, with some of his children there. Howell is believed to have died in McDonough County about 1864. It is not known where his mortal remains were laid.
Howell and Eliza were the parents of nine children. They include;
1. Alfred Ralston Dawdy, born c. March 16, 1830/31 in Barren County, Kentucky; At the time of the 1850 census, Alfred is found residing with J. N. and Elizabeth Dawdy, very likely his aunt and uncle, in Knox County, Illinois;
J N Dawdy M 38 Kentucky
Elizabeth Dawdy F 36 Kentucky
Casandre Dawdy F 15 Kentucky
Mary Dawdy F 13 Kentucky
James Dawdy M 12 Kentucky
John Dawdy M 10 Kentucky
Samuel Dawdy M 8 Kentucky
Sarah E Dawdy F 6 Kentucky
Harriet Dawdy F 4 Kentucky
Alfred R Dawdy M 20 Kentucky
Alfred Ralston Dawdy was married to Mary Emily Gunter (1832 - 1915) on June 10, 1852 in Warren County, Illinois.
At the time of the 1870 census, Alfred and his family are found residing in ___________ County, Illinois;
Alfred R Dawdy M 40 Kentucky
Mary Dawdy F 37 Kentucky
Francis Dawdy M 17 Illinois
Margaret Dawdy F 12 Iowa
Phebe Dawdy F 10 Iowa
Martha Dawdy F 3 Illinois
Charles Dawdy M 0 Illinois
John Dawdy M 34 Kentucky
At the time of the 1880 census, Alfred and his family are found in Marshall, Louisa County, Iowa, where he is farming;
Self Alfred R Dawdy M 50 Kentucky
Son Marion Dawdy M 27 Illinois
Other Edward Washburn M 28 New York
Daughter Phoebe Ann Dawdy F 20 Iowa
Wife Mary E Dawdy F 47 Kentucky
Son Charlie L Dawdy M 10 Illinois
Son Freddie F Dawdy M 8 Illinois
In the 1880's or 1890's the Dawdys moved to Kansas. At the time of the 1900 census, Alfred and his family are found in Ward 2 of the City of Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas. This census states that Alfred and Mary were the parents of 7 children, 4 of whom were still living in 1900;
Head Alfred Dawdy M Mar 1830 70 Kentucky
Wife Mary Dawdy F Nov 1832 68 Kentucky
Son Fred Dawdy M Oct 1871 29 Illinois
Alfred Ralston Dawdy died on December 16, 1912 in Neosho County, Kansas. His mortal remains were laid to rest in the Leanna Cemetery, Neosho County, Kansas; See his Find A Grave site for more information about him and his family.
2. James H. Dawdy, born c. 1833/34
3. William R. Dawdy, born c. 1831/32
4. John A. Dawdy, born c. 1835/36 in Kentucky; living with his older brother, Alfred, in ___________ County, Illinois at the time of the 1870 census.
5. Margaret M. Dawdy, born c. 1836/37; Nothing is known or has been found pertaining to Margaret M. Dawdy.
6. Lansing J. Dawdy, born June 16, 1837 in Illinois; See his biography below.
7. Joseph M. Dawdy, born c. 1839/40; At the time of the 1860 census, Joseph Dawdy is found residing with the Meek family in Indian Point Township, Knox County, Illinois;
Daniel Meek M 60 Ky
Permelia Meek F 25 Ky
Wm Meek M 23 Ills
Elisabeth Meek F 14 Ills
Harriett Meek F 12 Ills
Sanford Meek M 10 Ills
Katey Meek F 5 Ills
Daniel Meek M 2 Ills
John Jones M 24 Wales
Joseph Dody M 21 Ills
Wm Pearbody M 22 Ills
Wm Riggs M 21 Ills
At the time of the 1900 census, a Joseph Dawdy is found in Townships 7-12S in Ranges 1-4 Edgemont city, Fall River County, South Dakota. He was born in Illinois in May of 1839 and his parents were both born in Kentucky. Nothing more is known about Joseph Dawdy at this time.
8. Andrew J. Dawdy, born c. 1840/41
9. Henry C. Dawdy, born c. 1843/44
Now to continue with the biography of Lansing J. Dawdy. As stated above, when he was about one year old, Lansing's parents moved the family to Knox County, Illinois. This would be Lansing's residence for most of the rest of his life. He grew up on the family farm and attended school until about the age of 20. Lansing is then believed to have spent a year in Kansas, where his older brother, Alfred, would eventually take up residence, but then returned to Illinois, where Lansing attended Abingdon College for about a year. Lansing J. Dawdy then is believed to have taught school during the school year, 1858-59.
On August 1, 1862, Lansing J. Dawdy volunteered at Maquon, Illinois to serve in a company which was being raised in Maquon, Illinois by a local Carpenter, Contractor and Businessman by the name of James L. Burhalter. At the time he volunteered, Lansing gave his occupation as farmer.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name DAWDY, LANSING J Rank PVT
Company F Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence MAQUON, KNOX CO, IL Age 25 Height 5' 10 Hair SANDY
Eyes BLUE Complexion LIGHT Marital Status SINGLE Occupation FARMER
Nativity WOODFORD CO, IL
Service Record
Joined When AUG 1, 1862 Joined Where MAQUON, IL
Joined By Whom J L BURKHALTER Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks TRANS TO NON COM STAFF AUG 27, 1862
When Burkhalter had about 100 volunteers, he led the Maquon company into Peoria, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. Burkhalter was elected by the men of the Maquon company to be their Captain and on August 27, 1862, Captain Burkhalter and 93 of his volunteers were mustered in as Co. F of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
However, sometime before August 27, 1862, Lansing J. Dawdy was selected to serve as the Sergeant Major of the 86th Illinois and he was soon transferred to the Non Commissioned Staff of the 86th. So on, August 27, 1862, Lansing J. Dawdy was mustered in as the first Sergeant Major of the 86th Illinois.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name DAWDY, LANSING J
Rank SGM Company HQ Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence MAQUON, KNOX CO, IL Age 27 Height N/A Hair N/A
Eyes N/A Complexion N/A Marital Status N/A Occupation N/A
Nativity N/A
Service Record
Joined When AUG 1, 1862 Joined Where MAQUON, IL
Joined By Whom J L BURKHALTER Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks PROMOTED ADJUTANT
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out of the gates of Camp Lyon, Capt. James L. Burkhalter proudly leading Co. F, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, down to the railroade depot. There they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, whom had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. At the depot, the men of the 85th & 86th boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt in Jeffersonville, Indiana, which was located across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Three weeks later, the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade in the army commanded by Union General Buell. They were in pursuit of the last Confederate troops in Kentucky, who were under the command of Confederate General Braxton Bragg. In October of 1862, Buell's army caught up with that of Bragg's army and on Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 85th & 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the coming years. After the Battle of Perryville, the Confederate troops withdrew from Kentucky, while the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee, where they would spend the winter of 1862/63 as well as the spring and summer of 1863.
During the next two years, Sergeant Major Lansing J. Dawdy would serve faithfully as the men of the 86th served in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Georgia. During this time, Sergeant Major Dawdy was witness to and a participant in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chickamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; and Rome, Georgia. On November 16, 1863, the Adjutant of the 86th, Lt. Charles D. Irons, resigned from the service. At that time, an election was held among the officers and Sergeant Major Lansing J. Dawdy was elected to serve as the new Adjutant and was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. He was mustered as such on December 19, 1863, while the 86th was stationed in the Chattanooga, Tennessee area.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name DAWDY, LANSING J
Rank ADJ Company HQ Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence Age 26 Height N/A Hair N/A
Eyes N/A Complexion N/A Marital Status N/A Occupation N/A
Nativity N/A
Service Record
Joined When DEC 19, 1863 Joined Where CHATTANOOGA, TN
Joined By Whom GOV OF ILL Period 3 YRS
Muster In DEC 19, 1863 Muster In Where CHATTANNOGA, TN
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks DISCHARGED APR 25, 1865 FROM WOUNDS
In the spring of 1864, Lt. Lansing J. Dawdy was there with the surviving members of the 86th Illinois when they began the Campaign for Atlanta. As stated above, he was almost certainly present during the Battles of Resaca, Georgia and Rome, Georgia in May of 1864, but, it was on June 27, 1864, that the men of the 86th suffered the most.
On the morning of June 27th, the men of McCook's Brigade found themselves across from Cheatham Hill on Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia. The five Union Regiments of McCook's Brigade were formed in line of battle, one regiment stacked behind the other, the 86th Illinois third in line. It was hoped that this formation would allow the Union Brigade to punch a hole in the Confederate line, each regiment giving some protection to the regiment in back of it. When the signal gun fired, the men of the brigade stepped off and moved down a hill, crossed a small stream and then moved through a wheat field before beginning the climb up Cheatham Hill and the Confederate breastworks toward an angle in the Confederate line that was soon to be called "The Dead Angle." The following assault, which proved to be only partially successful, lasted less than 30 minutes. On the evening of June 27, 1864, Sgt. Levi A. Ross, a member of Co. K of the 86th, wrote the following of the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. "Our forces rushed upon the rebels five lines deep and in fifteen minutes were hurled back, by them, leaving 2500 brave Union Soldiers dead within twenty feet of the Enemy's works. The loss in the 86th was 106 -- in our Brig. over 400."
When the men of the 86th fell back from the Confederate works on Cheatham Hill, one of the missing men was the Adjutant of the 86th, Lt. Lansing J. Dawdy. During the fight near the Confederate breastworks, Lt. Dawdy was shot in the right chest, the ball apparently passing all the way through his body. When the Union assault faltered, the men of McCook's Brigade were forced to withdraw leaving most of their dead and wounded behind. Lt. Dawdy was left behind for dead at this time. It appears that Dawdy lay between the lines for a day or so before his near lifeless body was found. One biography states that, "He laid there a day and a night. Was in the Rebel's domain. Two Rebels found him and one raised his musket to shoot him when they saw he was not dead, and he knew enough to give them the Masonic sign. And the man that was a Mason knocked the gun up and told the other man not to shoot. They carried him to an old darky's cabin and she nursed him back to life. Of course, he was a prisoner. They drew a silk handkerchief through him and cleaned out the wound and he lived."
Lt. Dawdy was apparently confined initially in the Atlanta area and a biography continued that "during the time made many friends among the enemy. He was about to be taken to the residence of a private family, by consent of the surgeon in charge, and a room and bed was prepared for him in the domicile spoken of, but just as he was on the point of being removed a shell from Sherman's guns came crashing through the house and completely demolished the bed in which he was to lie."
Lt. Dawdy was later apparently moved to Macon, Georgia where he was confined for some time, before being sent on to Savannah, Georgia and then Charleston, South Carolina, before being paroled from there. Lt Dawdy was sent from there to Annapolis, Maryland and two weeks later he was sufficiently recovered to travel. He was then sent to Camp Chase, located near Columbus, Ohio early in January of , 1865, where he was put in charge of the paroled forces there. Lt. Dawdy remained there until March of 1865 when he was transferred to a General Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. Shortly afterward, however, he was sent back to Ohio to the Officer's Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was from there that on May 1, 1865, Lt. Lansing J. Dawdy was honorably discharged from the service for wounds. On May 4, 1866, Lt. Lansing J. Dawdy began collecting an Invalid Pension.
On February 8, 1866, Lansing J. Dawdy was united in marriage in the Village of Maquon, Knox County, Illinois to Miss Alice E. Huber. Alice was born on January 21, 1849 in the area of Knox County, that was to become Haw Creek Township, one of three children born to S_______ A. Huber and Ruth (Barrett) Huber, who were among the pioneers of this county and made their settlement in Haw Creek Township.
Three children were born to Lansing and Alice. They are;
1. Callista L. Dawdy, born c. January/February of 1871 in Illinois; died on July 4, 1888 at the age of 17 years and 5 months; Her mortal remains were laid in Section 1 of the Maquon Cemetery in Maquon, Knox County, Illinois.
2. Lansing J. Dawdy Jr., born c. 1875; died c. January 11, 1878 at the age of 2 and his mortal remains were laid in Section 1 of the Maquon Cemetery in Maquon, Knox County, Illinois.
3. Emma H. Dawdy, born c. 1877/78 in Illinois.
At the time of the 1880 census, the Dawdy family is found in Maquon, Knox County, Illinois, where he is employed as a Clerk in a Dry Goods Store;
Self Lansing J Dawdy M 42 Illinois
Wife Alice E Dawdy F 31 Illinois
Daughter Calista L Dawdy F 9 Illinois
Daughter Emma H Dawdy F 2 Illinois
Maquon area Pensioners as of October of 1883;
MAQUON
Francis G. Blake widow 8.00
Elizabeth Allen widow 10.00
Henry M. Richard wd. r. ft. 4.00
Thomas Hanes dropsy 8.00
Willam A. Lewis dis. eyes 18.00
John Hall var. veins both legs; inj to abd. 17.00
David McWilliams dis. lungs 8.00
Adam Kinser injury r. ankle 14.00
William G. Sargeant wd. l. arm 10.00
Cary T. Thurman chr. diarr. 8.00
Robert Peak loss l. leg 24.00
Lansing J. Dawdy g. s. w. r. breast 12.75
From the 1886 Biographical Album of Knox County, Illinois;
"DAWDY, LANSING J., but a few short years ago the fine productive farms which can now be seen in almost any direction in the county, were wild and uncultivated tracts of prairie land. They have been brought to an advanced condition through the energy and perseverance of men who came here to establish permanent homes and who have labored industriously to that end. Yet, not alone to the agriculturist is the advancement and growth of Knox County attributable. The business men—the merchants and the professional men—were alike necessary to develop the county to the magnificent position it occupies today in comparison with other counties of the State. As one of Knox County's most honored and respected citizens, and a gentleman who has been identified with its past growth and development as a farmer and merchant, we take pleasure in mentioning the name of Lansing J. Dawdy.
The parents of Mr. Dawdy, Howell and Elizabeth (Ralston) Dawdy, were natives of Kentucky. They were married in that State and continued to reside there until they came to Marshall County, IL. From the latter county they removed hither in 1838, locating in Indian Point Township. There the father followed farming for a livelihood for about five years, when, with his family, he removed to Chestnut Township, and there his good wife, mother of our subject, died in 1845. The father afterward broke up house-keeping and concluded to live with his children in McDonough County, IL., until his demise in 1864. He and his wife were the parents of nine children, named: Alfred R., James H., William R., John A., Margaret M., Lansing j., Joseph M., Andrew J., and Henry C.
Lansing J. Dawdy was born while his parents lived in Marshall County, this State, June 16, 1837, and was about one year of age when his parents came to this county. Having lived here continuously since that time, Mr. Dawdy may be said to have been identified with the best interests of Knox County during his life. He spent his early years on a farm, and attended school, alternating the two until 20 years of age. He then spent one season in Kansas, and after returning to this State, entered Abingdon College, and was there engaged in study for about a year.
Lansing J. Dawdy taught the school in 1858 and 1859. He was a fine teacher. At the breaking out of the late Civil War, our subject was engaged in the work of a pedagogue, but abandoned the same, and August 1, 1862, enlisted in the 86th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served his country bravely and well for two years and nine months. He enlisted as a private and was promoted to Adjutant of the Regiment. In the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, June 27, 1864, he was wounded by a shot through the body, and at the same time taken prisoner. He was confined at Atlanta and during the time made many friends among the enemy. He was about to be taken to the residence of a private family, by consent of the surgeon in charge, and a room and bed was prepared for him in the domicile spoken of, but just as he was on the point of being removed a shell from Sherman's guns came crashing through the house and completely demolished the bed in which he was to lie. He was also confined at Macon, Savannah, and Charleston and was paroled at the latter place, and came from there to Annapolis, Md., and two weeks later he was sufficiently recovered to travel. After convalescing he went to Camp Chase, early in January, 1865, near Columbus, Ohio, and took charge of the paroled forces, and continued there until March, when he was transferred to St. Louis, and from there sent to the Officer's Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio, where, on the 1st day of May, 1865, he received an honorable discharge. During the time Mr. D was in the service, he passed through a good many engagements; among the most noteworthy was Perryville, Ky., Mission Ridge, Sheppard's Run, Buzzard's Roost and that of Kenesaw Mountain.
Receiving his discharge from the army, our subject at once returned to his home in this county and again entered upon the peaceful pursuits of life. He engaged as merchant's clerk in a dry-goods store in Maquon village, the firm being D. Housh & Sons, and was in their employ, off and on, for three years. In the fall of 1868, Mr. Dawdy removed to Iowa, where he embarked in the nursery business, and continuing at the same for six years met with signal success. At the end of this time he disposed of his stock, returned to Maquon and there resided until 1878, in the meanwhile speculating in whatever offered him a chance to increase his exchequer.
In 1878, he entered the employ of G.D. Crocker at Maquon, and had charge of the store which he soon afterward bought, and which business he conducts at the present time. He carries a good stock of general merchandise and by fair and honest dealing with his patrons has established a constantly increasing trade. He owns village property at that place and also a farm in Iowa.
Mr. Dawdy was married in Maquon village, Feb. 8, 1866, to Alice E. Huber, daughter of S.A. and Ruth (Barrett) Huber. Her parents were among the pioneers of this county and made their settlement in Haw Creek Township. They are now residents of Maquon, and the children born to them were three in number; Alice E., Catherine, and Belle. Mrs. Dawdy was born in Haw Creek Township, Jan. 21, 1849. She and her husband are the parents of three children: Lansing J., Jr.; Callista L., and Emma H.
Mr. Dawdy has been Township Clerk, Assessor, and also a member of the Village Board. Socially, he is a prominent member of the order of Masonry, and likewise belongs to Post 552, G. A. R.
Religiously, Mrs. Dawdy is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. D. votes with the Democrats."
From the New Georgia Enclyclopedia;
"Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield and the Illinois Monument of Cheatham Hill
Today, visitors can explore this battlefield, thanks in part to the foresight of Lansing J. Dawdy, an Illinois veteran of the battle. In 1899 Dawdy purchased sixty acres of land near the Dead Angle. The property was transferred in 1904 to the Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Association. In 1914, to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the battle, the organization erected a monument dedicated to the Illinois soldiers who fell in the assault on Cheatham Hill. However, unable to restore the battlefield as planned, the association transferred ownership of the property to the federal government in 1916, and the next year Congress authorized the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield site.
"...After the war, survivors of the brigade established the Colonel Dan McCook Brigade Association in memory of their fallen commander. To honor the sacrifice that he and other fellow soldiers had made, the association decided to acquire the land at Cheatham Hill where Colonel McCook had fallen. In December 1899, Lansing J. Dawdy, a veteran of the 86th Illinois who had fought at Cheatham Hill, returned to Cobb County and on December 26 he purchased from Virgil Channell a 60 acre tract which included the Federal and Confederate trenches and the intervening land over which the Federals had fought.
On February 15, 1900, Dawdy conveyed the land to Martin Kingman and John McGinnis who, in turn, transferred the 60 acre tract to the Colonel Dan McCook. Brigade Association on August 13, 1904. According to the deed, Kingman and McGinnis had been acting on behalf of the Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Association, a non-profit organization, chartered under the laws of the State of Illinois, that had been established for the purpose of erecting a monument or monuments on the property in memory of those who had fought and died there.
With this goal, the Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Association began a fundraising campaign. A letter, sent to surviving veterans of the 85th, 86th, and 125th Regiments, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company I, 2nd Illinois Light Artillery, the 22nd Indiana Regiment Volunteer Infantry and the 52nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, asked them to contribute at least one dollar in memory of their fallen comrades. It soon became apparent that the amount of money required for a monument was beyond the Association's means, so it enlisted the aid of the State of Illinois."
At the time of the 1910 census, Lansing and Alice are found in what is called Ward 5 of the City of Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois;
Head Lansing J Dawdy M 70 Illinois
Wife Allice E Dawdy F 60 Illinois
At the time of the 1920 census, Lansing is found residing in the City of Bonifay, Holmes County, Florida;
Head Alex Sessoms M 64 North Carolina
Son William A Sessoms M 40 North Carolina
Daughter-in-law Emma D Sessoms F 41 Illinois
Head Lancine J Dawdy M 83 Illinois
Wife Alice E Dawdy F 70 Illinois
According to his death certificate, Lieutenant Lansing Jefferson Dawdy died on November 26, 1923 at Bonifay, Holmes County, Florida at the age of 86y 5m 10d. He was widowed and his parents are listed as Howard Dawdy and Elizabeth Rolston, both of whom were born in Kentucky. Lansing was residing in Bonifoy, Florida, with his daughter, at the time of his death. He apparently died in the home of his daughter and his remains were returned to Knox County, Illinois, where they were laid to rest in the Maquon Cemetery in Maquon, Knox County, Illinois on November 27, 1923.
by Baxter B. Fite III
(Baxter would love to hear from anyone, especially descendants of the Dawdy family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on Lansing J. Dawdy and the Dawdy family. Baxter would also like to see copies of any other photographs of Lansing that have survived the years, even ones of him as an older gentleman, added to his Find A Grave site for all to see.)
Lansing J. Dawdy was born on June 16, 1837 in either Marshall County or Woodford County, Illinois, the son of Howell Dawdy (Dowdy) and Elizabeth (Ralston) Dawdy (Dowdy), both of whom were born in Kentucky. Howell Dowdy and Eliza N. Ralston were most likely married in Glasgow, Barren County, Kentucky on April 6, 1829, but the date of April 7, 1830 has also bee seen. Howell is believed to have been born c. 1810, while Elizabeth was born c. October 12, 1806.
The Dawdys came to Illinois between 1835 and 1837, settling briefly in either the Woodford County or Marshall County, or possible even briefly in both. About 1838, the Dawdys moved to Knox County, Illinois, where they resided in the area that would eventually become Indian Point Township. The family remained there until about 1843, when they moved to a farm in an area of Knox County that would eventually become part of Chestnut Township. It was there in the Chestnut Township area that Lansing's mother, Eliza (or Elizabeth), died c. January 12, 1847 at the age of 40 years and 3 months. Her mortal remains were laid in the Boydstun-Dawdy Cemetery near Abingdon, Knox County, Illinois.
After his wife's death, Howell Dawdy (Dowdy) is believed to have spent most of the remainder of his life in McDonough County, Illinois, with some of his children there. Howell is believed to have died in McDonough County about 1864. It is not known where his mortal remains were laid.
Howell and Eliza were the parents of nine children. They include;
1. Alfred Ralston Dawdy, born c. March 16, 1830/31 in Barren County, Kentucky; At the time of the 1850 census, Alfred is found residing with J. N. and Elizabeth Dawdy, very likely his aunt and uncle, in Knox County, Illinois;
J N Dawdy M 38 Kentucky
Elizabeth Dawdy F 36 Kentucky
Casandre Dawdy F 15 Kentucky
Mary Dawdy F 13 Kentucky
James Dawdy M 12 Kentucky
John Dawdy M 10 Kentucky
Samuel Dawdy M 8 Kentucky
Sarah E Dawdy F 6 Kentucky
Harriet Dawdy F 4 Kentucky
Alfred R Dawdy M 20 Kentucky
Alfred Ralston Dawdy was married to Mary Emily Gunter (1832 - 1915) on June 10, 1852 in Warren County, Illinois.
At the time of the 1870 census, Alfred and his family are found residing in ___________ County, Illinois;
Alfred R Dawdy M 40 Kentucky
Mary Dawdy F 37 Kentucky
Francis Dawdy M 17 Illinois
Margaret Dawdy F 12 Iowa
Phebe Dawdy F 10 Iowa
Martha Dawdy F 3 Illinois
Charles Dawdy M 0 Illinois
John Dawdy M 34 Kentucky
At the time of the 1880 census, Alfred and his family are found in Marshall, Louisa County, Iowa, where he is farming;
Self Alfred R Dawdy M 50 Kentucky
Son Marion Dawdy M 27 Illinois
Other Edward Washburn M 28 New York
Daughter Phoebe Ann Dawdy F 20 Iowa
Wife Mary E Dawdy F 47 Kentucky
Son Charlie L Dawdy M 10 Illinois
Son Freddie F Dawdy M 8 Illinois
In the 1880's or 1890's the Dawdys moved to Kansas. At the time of the 1900 census, Alfred and his family are found in Ward 2 of the City of Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas. This census states that Alfred and Mary were the parents of 7 children, 4 of whom were still living in 1900;
Head Alfred Dawdy M Mar 1830 70 Kentucky
Wife Mary Dawdy F Nov 1832 68 Kentucky
Son Fred Dawdy M Oct 1871 29 Illinois
Alfred Ralston Dawdy died on December 16, 1912 in Neosho County, Kansas. His mortal remains were laid to rest in the Leanna Cemetery, Neosho County, Kansas; See his Find A Grave site for more information about him and his family.
2. James H. Dawdy, born c. 1833/34
3. William R. Dawdy, born c. 1831/32
4. John A. Dawdy, born c. 1835/36 in Kentucky; living with his older brother, Alfred, in ___________ County, Illinois at the time of the 1870 census.
5. Margaret M. Dawdy, born c. 1836/37; Nothing is known or has been found pertaining to Margaret M. Dawdy.
6. Lansing J. Dawdy, born June 16, 1837 in Illinois; See his biography below.
7. Joseph M. Dawdy, born c. 1839/40; At the time of the 1860 census, Joseph Dawdy is found residing with the Meek family in Indian Point Township, Knox County, Illinois;
Daniel Meek M 60 Ky
Permelia Meek F 25 Ky
Wm Meek M 23 Ills
Elisabeth Meek F 14 Ills
Harriett Meek F 12 Ills
Sanford Meek M 10 Ills
Katey Meek F 5 Ills
Daniel Meek M 2 Ills
John Jones M 24 Wales
Joseph Dody M 21 Ills
Wm Pearbody M 22 Ills
Wm Riggs M 21 Ills
At the time of the 1900 census, a Joseph Dawdy is found in Townships 7-12S in Ranges 1-4 Edgemont city, Fall River County, South Dakota. He was born in Illinois in May of 1839 and his parents were both born in Kentucky. Nothing more is known about Joseph Dawdy at this time.
8. Andrew J. Dawdy, born c. 1840/41
9. Henry C. Dawdy, born c. 1843/44
Now to continue with the biography of Lansing J. Dawdy. As stated above, when he was about one year old, Lansing's parents moved the family to Knox County, Illinois. This would be Lansing's residence for most of the rest of his life. He grew up on the family farm and attended school until about the age of 20. Lansing is then believed to have spent a year in Kansas, where his older brother, Alfred, would eventually take up residence, but then returned to Illinois, where Lansing attended Abingdon College for about a year. Lansing J. Dawdy then is believed to have taught school during the school year, 1858-59.
On August 1, 1862, Lansing J. Dawdy volunteered at Maquon, Illinois to serve in a company which was being raised in Maquon, Illinois by a local Carpenter, Contractor and Businessman by the name of James L. Burhalter. At the time he volunteered, Lansing gave his occupation as farmer.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name DAWDY, LANSING J Rank PVT
Company F Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence MAQUON, KNOX CO, IL Age 25 Height 5' 10 Hair SANDY
Eyes BLUE Complexion LIGHT Marital Status SINGLE Occupation FARMER
Nativity WOODFORD CO, IL
Service Record
Joined When AUG 1, 1862 Joined Where MAQUON, IL
Joined By Whom J L BURKHALTER Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks TRANS TO NON COM STAFF AUG 27, 1862
When Burkhalter had about 100 volunteers, he led the Maquon company into Peoria, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. Burkhalter was elected by the men of the Maquon company to be their Captain and on August 27, 1862, Captain Burkhalter and 93 of his volunteers were mustered in as Co. F of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
However, sometime before August 27, 1862, Lansing J. Dawdy was selected to serve as the Sergeant Major of the 86th Illinois and he was soon transferred to the Non Commissioned Staff of the 86th. So on, August 27, 1862, Lansing J. Dawdy was mustered in as the first Sergeant Major of the 86th Illinois.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name DAWDY, LANSING J
Rank SGM Company HQ Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence MAQUON, KNOX CO, IL Age 27 Height N/A Hair N/A
Eyes N/A Complexion N/A Marital Status N/A Occupation N/A
Nativity N/A
Service Record
Joined When AUG 1, 1862 Joined Where MAQUON, IL
Joined By Whom J L BURKHALTER Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks PROMOTED ADJUTANT
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out of the gates of Camp Lyon, Capt. James L. Burkhalter proudly leading Co. F, through the streets of Peoria, with much fanfare, down to the railroade depot. There they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, whom had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. At the depot, the men of the 85th & 86th boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt in Jeffersonville, Indiana, which was located across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Three weeks later, the men of the 85th & 86th were in the field in Kentucky as part of Col. Daniel McCook's Brigade in the army commanded by Union General Buell. They were in pursuit of the last Confederate troops in Kentucky, who were under the command of Confederate General Braxton Bragg. In October of 1862, Buell's army caught up with that of Bragg's army and on Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, the 85th & 86th Illinois suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the coming years. After the Battle of Perryville, the Confederate troops withdrew from Kentucky, while the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee, where they would spend the winter of 1862/63 as well as the spring and summer of 1863.
During the next two years, Sergeant Major Lansing J. Dawdy would serve faithfully as the men of the 86th served in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Georgia. During this time, Sergeant Major Dawdy was witness to and a participant in numerous battles and skirmishes, some of the bloodiest fighting in the Western Theatre of the war, including the Battles of Chickamauga, Georgia; Resaca, Georgia; and Rome, Georgia. On November 16, 1863, the Adjutant of the 86th, Lt. Charles D. Irons, resigned from the service. At that time, an election was held among the officers and Sergeant Major Lansing J. Dawdy was elected to serve as the new Adjutant and was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. He was mustered as such on December 19, 1863, while the 86th was stationed in the Chattanooga, Tennessee area.
ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name DAWDY, LANSING J
Rank ADJ Company HQ Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence Age 26 Height N/A Hair N/A
Eyes N/A Complexion N/A Marital Status N/A Occupation N/A
Nativity N/A
Service Record
Joined When DEC 19, 1863 Joined Where CHATTANOOGA, TN
Joined By Whom GOV OF ILL Period 3 YRS
Muster In DEC 19, 1863 Muster In Where CHATTANNOGA, TN
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out N/A
Muster Out Where N/A Muster Out By Whom N/A
Remarks DISCHARGED APR 25, 1865 FROM WOUNDS
In the spring of 1864, Lt. Lansing J. Dawdy was there with the surviving members of the 86th Illinois when they began the Campaign for Atlanta. As stated above, he was almost certainly present during the Battles of Resaca, Georgia and Rome, Georgia in May of 1864, but, it was on June 27, 1864, that the men of the 86th suffered the most.
On the morning of June 27th, the men of McCook's Brigade found themselves across from Cheatham Hill on Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia. The five Union Regiments of McCook's Brigade were formed in line of battle, one regiment stacked behind the other, the 86th Illinois third in line. It was hoped that this formation would allow the Union Brigade to punch a hole in the Confederate line, each regiment giving some protection to the regiment in back of it. When the signal gun fired, the men of the brigade stepped off and moved down a hill, crossed a small stream and then moved through a wheat field before beginning the climb up Cheatham Hill and the Confederate breastworks toward an angle in the Confederate line that was soon to be called "The Dead Angle." The following assault, which proved to be only partially successful, lasted less than 30 minutes. On the evening of June 27, 1864, Sgt. Levi A. Ross, a member of Co. K of the 86th, wrote the following of the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. "Our forces rushed upon the rebels five lines deep and in fifteen minutes were hurled back, by them, leaving 2500 brave Union Soldiers dead within twenty feet of the Enemy's works. The loss in the 86th was 106 -- in our Brig. over 400."
When the men of the 86th fell back from the Confederate works on Cheatham Hill, one of the missing men was the Adjutant of the 86th, Lt. Lansing J. Dawdy. During the fight near the Confederate breastworks, Lt. Dawdy was shot in the right chest, the ball apparently passing all the way through his body. When the Union assault faltered, the men of McCook's Brigade were forced to withdraw leaving most of their dead and wounded behind. Lt. Dawdy was left behind for dead at this time. It appears that Dawdy lay between the lines for a day or so before his near lifeless body was found. One biography states that, "He laid there a day and a night. Was in the Rebel's domain. Two Rebels found him and one raised his musket to shoot him when they saw he was not dead, and he knew enough to give them the Masonic sign. And the man that was a Mason knocked the gun up and told the other man not to shoot. They carried him to an old darky's cabin and she nursed him back to life. Of course, he was a prisoner. They drew a silk handkerchief through him and cleaned out the wound and he lived."
Lt. Dawdy was apparently confined initially in the Atlanta area and a biography continued that "during the time made many friends among the enemy. He was about to be taken to the residence of a private family, by consent of the surgeon in charge, and a room and bed was prepared for him in the domicile spoken of, but just as he was on the point of being removed a shell from Sherman's guns came crashing through the house and completely demolished the bed in which he was to lie."
Lt. Dawdy was later apparently moved to Macon, Georgia where he was confined for some time, before being sent on to Savannah, Georgia and then Charleston, South Carolina, before being paroled from there. Lt Dawdy was sent from there to Annapolis, Maryland and two weeks later he was sufficiently recovered to travel. He was then sent to Camp Chase, located near Columbus, Ohio early in January of , 1865, where he was put in charge of the paroled forces there. Lt. Dawdy remained there until March of 1865 when he was transferred to a General Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. Shortly afterward, however, he was sent back to Ohio to the Officer's Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was from there that on May 1, 1865, Lt. Lansing J. Dawdy was honorably discharged from the service for wounds. On May 4, 1866, Lt. Lansing J. Dawdy began collecting an Invalid Pension.
On February 8, 1866, Lansing J. Dawdy was united in marriage in the Village of Maquon, Knox County, Illinois to Miss Alice E. Huber. Alice was born on January 21, 1849 in the area of Knox County, that was to become Haw Creek Township, one of three children born to S_______ A. Huber and Ruth (Barrett) Huber, who were among the pioneers of this county and made their settlement in Haw Creek Township.
Three children were born to Lansing and Alice. They are;
1. Callista L. Dawdy, born c. January/February of 1871 in Illinois; died on July 4, 1888 at the age of 17 years and 5 months; Her mortal remains were laid in Section 1 of the Maquon Cemetery in Maquon, Knox County, Illinois.
2. Lansing J. Dawdy Jr., born c. 1875; died c. January 11, 1878 at the age of 2 and his mortal remains were laid in Section 1 of the Maquon Cemetery in Maquon, Knox County, Illinois.
3. Emma H. Dawdy, born c. 1877/78 in Illinois.
At the time of the 1880 census, the Dawdy family is found in Maquon, Knox County, Illinois, where he is employed as a Clerk in a Dry Goods Store;
Self Lansing J Dawdy M 42 Illinois
Wife Alice E Dawdy F 31 Illinois
Daughter Calista L Dawdy F 9 Illinois
Daughter Emma H Dawdy F 2 Illinois
Maquon area Pensioners as of October of 1883;
MAQUON
Francis G. Blake widow 8.00
Elizabeth Allen widow 10.00
Henry M. Richard wd. r. ft. 4.00
Thomas Hanes dropsy 8.00
Willam A. Lewis dis. eyes 18.00
John Hall var. veins both legs; inj to abd. 17.00
David McWilliams dis. lungs 8.00
Adam Kinser injury r. ankle 14.00
William G. Sargeant wd. l. arm 10.00
Cary T. Thurman chr. diarr. 8.00
Robert Peak loss l. leg 24.00
Lansing J. Dawdy g. s. w. r. breast 12.75
From the 1886 Biographical Album of Knox County, Illinois;
"DAWDY, LANSING J., but a few short years ago the fine productive farms which can now be seen in almost any direction in the county, were wild and uncultivated tracts of prairie land. They have been brought to an advanced condition through the energy and perseverance of men who came here to establish permanent homes and who have labored industriously to that end. Yet, not alone to the agriculturist is the advancement and growth of Knox County attributable. The business men—the merchants and the professional men—were alike necessary to develop the county to the magnificent position it occupies today in comparison with other counties of the State. As one of Knox County's most honored and respected citizens, and a gentleman who has been identified with its past growth and development as a farmer and merchant, we take pleasure in mentioning the name of Lansing J. Dawdy.
The parents of Mr. Dawdy, Howell and Elizabeth (Ralston) Dawdy, were natives of Kentucky. They were married in that State and continued to reside there until they came to Marshall County, IL. From the latter county they removed hither in 1838, locating in Indian Point Township. There the father followed farming for a livelihood for about five years, when, with his family, he removed to Chestnut Township, and there his good wife, mother of our subject, died in 1845. The father afterward broke up house-keeping and concluded to live with his children in McDonough County, IL., until his demise in 1864. He and his wife were the parents of nine children, named: Alfred R., James H., William R., John A., Margaret M., Lansing j., Joseph M., Andrew J., and Henry C.
Lansing J. Dawdy was born while his parents lived in Marshall County, this State, June 16, 1837, and was about one year of age when his parents came to this county. Having lived here continuously since that time, Mr. Dawdy may be said to have been identified with the best interests of Knox County during his life. He spent his early years on a farm, and attended school, alternating the two until 20 years of age. He then spent one season in Kansas, and after returning to this State, entered Abingdon College, and was there engaged in study for about a year.
Lansing J. Dawdy taught the school in 1858 and 1859. He was a fine teacher. At the breaking out of the late Civil War, our subject was engaged in the work of a pedagogue, but abandoned the same, and August 1, 1862, enlisted in the 86th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served his country bravely and well for two years and nine months. He enlisted as a private and was promoted to Adjutant of the Regiment. In the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, June 27, 1864, he was wounded by a shot through the body, and at the same time taken prisoner. He was confined at Atlanta and during the time made many friends among the enemy. He was about to be taken to the residence of a private family, by consent of the surgeon in charge, and a room and bed was prepared for him in the domicile spoken of, but just as he was on the point of being removed a shell from Sherman's guns came crashing through the house and completely demolished the bed in which he was to lie. He was also confined at Macon, Savannah, and Charleston and was paroled at the latter place, and came from there to Annapolis, Md., and two weeks later he was sufficiently recovered to travel. After convalescing he went to Camp Chase, early in January, 1865, near Columbus, Ohio, and took charge of the paroled forces, and continued there until March, when he was transferred to St. Louis, and from there sent to the Officer's Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio, where, on the 1st day of May, 1865, he received an honorable discharge. During the time Mr. D was in the service, he passed through a good many engagements; among the most noteworthy was Perryville, Ky., Mission Ridge, Sheppard's Run, Buzzard's Roost and that of Kenesaw Mountain.
Receiving his discharge from the army, our subject at once returned to his home in this county and again entered upon the peaceful pursuits of life. He engaged as merchant's clerk in a dry-goods store in Maquon village, the firm being D. Housh & Sons, and was in their employ, off and on, for three years. In the fall of 1868, Mr. Dawdy removed to Iowa, where he embarked in the nursery business, and continuing at the same for six years met with signal success. At the end of this time he disposed of his stock, returned to Maquon and there resided until 1878, in the meanwhile speculating in whatever offered him a chance to increase his exchequer.
In 1878, he entered the employ of G.D. Crocker at Maquon, and had charge of the store which he soon afterward bought, and which business he conducts at the present time. He carries a good stock of general merchandise and by fair and honest dealing with his patrons has established a constantly increasing trade. He owns village property at that place and also a farm in Iowa.
Mr. Dawdy was married in Maquon village, Feb. 8, 1866, to Alice E. Huber, daughter of S.A. and Ruth (Barrett) Huber. Her parents were among the pioneers of this county and made their settlement in Haw Creek Township. They are now residents of Maquon, and the children born to them were three in number; Alice E., Catherine, and Belle. Mrs. Dawdy was born in Haw Creek Township, Jan. 21, 1849. She and her husband are the parents of three children: Lansing J., Jr.; Callista L., and Emma H.
Mr. Dawdy has been Township Clerk, Assessor, and also a member of the Village Board. Socially, he is a prominent member of the order of Masonry, and likewise belongs to Post 552, G. A. R.
Religiously, Mrs. Dawdy is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. D. votes with the Democrats."
From the New Georgia Enclyclopedia;
"Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield and the Illinois Monument of Cheatham Hill
Today, visitors can explore this battlefield, thanks in part to the foresight of Lansing J. Dawdy, an Illinois veteran of the battle. In 1899 Dawdy purchased sixty acres of land near the Dead Angle. The property was transferred in 1904 to the Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Association. In 1914, to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the battle, the organization erected a monument dedicated to the Illinois soldiers who fell in the assault on Cheatham Hill. However, unable to restore the battlefield as planned, the association transferred ownership of the property to the federal government in 1916, and the next year Congress authorized the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield site.
"...After the war, survivors of the brigade established the Colonel Dan McCook Brigade Association in memory of their fallen commander. To honor the sacrifice that he and other fellow soldiers had made, the association decided to acquire the land at Cheatham Hill where Colonel McCook had fallen. In December 1899, Lansing J. Dawdy, a veteran of the 86th Illinois who had fought at Cheatham Hill, returned to Cobb County and on December 26 he purchased from Virgil Channell a 60 acre tract which included the Federal and Confederate trenches and the intervening land over which the Federals had fought.
On February 15, 1900, Dawdy conveyed the land to Martin Kingman and John McGinnis who, in turn, transferred the 60 acre tract to the Colonel Dan McCook. Brigade Association on August 13, 1904. According to the deed, Kingman and McGinnis had been acting on behalf of the Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Association, a non-profit organization, chartered under the laws of the State of Illinois, that had been established for the purpose of erecting a monument or monuments on the property in memory of those who had fought and died there.
With this goal, the Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Association began a fundraising campaign. A letter, sent to surviving veterans of the 85th, 86th, and 125th Regiments, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company I, 2nd Illinois Light Artillery, the 22nd Indiana Regiment Volunteer Infantry and the 52nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, asked them to contribute at least one dollar in memory of their fallen comrades. It soon became apparent that the amount of money required for a monument was beyond the Association's means, so it enlisted the aid of the State of Illinois."
At the time of the 1910 census, Lansing and Alice are found in what is called Ward 5 of the City of Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois;
Head Lansing J Dawdy M 70 Illinois
Wife Allice E Dawdy F 60 Illinois
At the time of the 1920 census, Lansing is found residing in the City of Bonifay, Holmes County, Florida;
Head Alex Sessoms M 64 North Carolina
Son William A Sessoms M 40 North Carolina
Daughter-in-law Emma D Sessoms F 41 Illinois
Head Lancine J Dawdy M 83 Illinois
Wife Alice E Dawdy F 70 Illinois
According to his death certificate, Lieutenant Lansing Jefferson Dawdy died on November 26, 1923 at Bonifay, Holmes County, Florida at the age of 86y 5m 10d. He was widowed and his parents are listed as Howard Dawdy and Elizabeth Rolston, both of whom were born in Kentucky. Lansing was residing in Bonifoy, Florida, with his daughter, at the time of his death. He apparently died in the home of his daughter and his remains were returned to Knox County, Illinois, where they were laid to rest in the Maquon Cemetery in Maquon, Knox County, Illinois on November 27, 1923.
by Baxter B. Fite III
(Baxter would love to hear from anyone, especially descendants of the Dawdy family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on Lansing J. Dawdy and the Dawdy family. Baxter would also like to see copies of any other photographs of Lansing that have survived the years, even ones of him as an older gentleman, added to his Find A Grave site for all to see.)
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1st Lt. Adjt. 86 Ill. Inf
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