Pike Atlases

ALEXANDER DORSEY


Was born in Rutherford county, Tennessee, November 29, 1824. His father, Charles Dorsey, was a native of Raleigh, North Carolina, and was born March, 6th, 1795. He was a son of William Dorsey, who served for seven years in the revolutionary war, participating in several of the battles of the Southern Campaign. He was born in Baltimore, in the year 1757, and at an early age moved to Carolina. Three brothers settled at an early day in Baltimore, and from them sprang the Dorsey family in America. They are of Scotch and English descent. Mr. Dorsey moved from North Carolina to Middle Tennessee, and settled near where the late battle of Murfreesboro was fought. He died at his residence in 1807. His vocation was that of a farmer.

Charles Dorsey frequently made trips to Alabama and other states, as teamster, which vocation he followed several years. On the 16th of October, 1823, he was married to Miss Elenor, daughter of Mathias and Anna Broils, of Rutherford county, Tennessee.

Mrs. Dorsey was born June 25th, 1805, in Tennessee. Her parents were natives of North Carolina. On the 31st of December, 1828, he landed with his family in Pike county, Illinois, and wintered in a board camp. The spring followed he cleared a piece of land, on which a portion of Detroit now stands. In the spring of 1831 he settled on section 24, on the middle fork of McKee's creek, in Perry township, where he became quite extensively engaged in farming and stock raising. He became owner of some very fine land. He had a family of eleven children, seven of whom are yet living, all married. Mr. Dorsey died at his residence, October 3d, 1856. His wife survived him until March 12th, 1858.

Mr. and Mrs. Dorsey were both members of the Christian church. The subject of this sketch received his education in Pike county. In the winter of 1845-46 he made a visit to his old home in Ruthfort county, Tenn., where he became acquainted with, and married, Miss Jane, daughter of Capt. Mathias Fox. She was born Nov. 29, 1829, in Ruthford county. Her father was a planter. After his marriage, Mr. Dorsey brought his wife to Illinois, engaging in farming in Perry township and is so engaged at the present time. He makes a specialty of raising the best breeds of hogs and sheep, such as Poland-China, Berkshire, Chester-white, and Essex hogs, and Spanish marine and Cotswold sheep. His farm is under a good state of cultivation. A view of his residence will appear elsewhere in this work. His family numbers six children — four boys and two girls.

Mr. and Mrs. Dorsey are both members of the Christian church.
Politically he was a whig, but since the organization of the republican party, he has ranked among its members. During the most trying times of the late war, the subject of this sketch, stood firm for the cause of the Union. At present he is residing on his farm, enjoying good health.