Obituary

Kansan, March 17, 1898

James Dawson, county surveyor of Harvey county, died this morning at 6:45. He was 78 years of age, and had been suffering from cancer of the eye. He took to his bed just eleven weeks ago, and several times was thought to be improving in condition. His daughter, Mrs. Kelly, and son, Taylor were present at his death. Another daughter, Mrs. Reynolds, returned to her home in Iowa a short time ago, after attending him for some time.

The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2:30, from the family residence, 421 East Ninth street, the services to be conducted by the Rev. Dr. J. C. Miller, and the G.A. R. Post.

James Dawson, second son of John and Elizabeth Dawson, was born January 16, 1820, in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and was therefore 78 years, two months and one day at the time of his death. He was raised on a farm, working on the farm during the summer and going to district school during the winter months. The last few months at school being applied to the study of surveying, the practice of which had been the greater portion of his life's work to the present time. In April 1842 he was married to Elizabeth Beeson, to whom were born eight children, six girls and two boys. Four are dead and four survive: Mrs. Agnes Reynolds, Tiffin, Iowa; Mrs. J. S. Kelly, Newton; Taylor Dawson, Newton, and J. H. Dawson, Orange, Texas.

At the breaking out of the Mexican war he helped raise a company of volunteer infantry for that service. Isaac P. Kendall was elected captain, James Dawson 1st lieutenant and Jas. Hudson 2nd lieutenant, and offered their services to the government which was accepted and arms furnished, and were ordered to hold themselves in readiness to go to the front whenever called for. But the war was fought to a finish before being called out. The company was mustered into the state service and he served 7 years as lieutenant in that capacity.

In October, 1855 he removed to Iowa, settling in Johnson, county. In the fall of 61 was elected County Surveyor of that county. On September 22, 1862, under the president's call for 600,000 volunteers, he enlisted as a private in what was afterwards Co. I, 6th, Iowa cavalry volunteers and went into winter quarters at Davenport, Iowa, and remained there during the winter of 1862-3. In the following spring the regiment was ordered to report at Sioux City, Iowa, to go out on the Northwest frontier to chastise the Sioux and other tribes of Indians that had been committing depredations on the white settlers all along the northwest frontier. When the grass was sufficient and the boats with the provisions could ascend the river the line of march was commenced and continued until a part of the Sioux tribe was discovered in hiding, at a place called White Stone Hill, where and engagement took place in which the 6th regiment lost 30 killed and 32 wounded. Their camp was entirely destroyed and about 300 prisoners were taken, mostly old men, women and children. Returning in fall late, Co. I was ordered to relieve the state troops stationed at the different parts along the Iowa frontier. James Dawson was left in command of a squad at Cherokee. In the spring of 1864 the regiment again took up the line of march for the heart of the Sioux country and after being joined by other forces from Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota and Dakota and part of the 7th Iowa cavalry.

For some time afterwards, Mr. Dawson was engaged in fighting Indians, till October 1865, when the regiment was ordered to Sioux City and was mustered out October 17, and sent to Davenport, where they received their pay and left for home.

Mr. Dawson moved to Harvey county in August, 1873, and took a homestead in Emma township which was his home always with the exception of the time he lived in Newton, holding county office. For the past twelve years he has held the profession of county surveyor. He was a member of Judson Kilpatrick Post, G. A. R., which will officiate at his funeral.