DIX, J. A. – Settled in 1858 on a farm in the SW 1/4 of Section 8, El Paso Twp. This farm is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Parr.
DIXON, Elisha and Mary – Elisha was a Mackinaw River miller in 1835. He patented the NE 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of Section 10, Kansas Twp. on December 24, 1835 and the SE 1/4 of the same on February 22, 1834. This patent is second only to Orman Robinson's in our entire five Twp. area. Robinson's was dated February 4, 1834.
DIXON, Joseph and Isabella – Patented land soon after Thomas Dixon did. They entered SE 1/4 of the SW 1/4 in Section 3, Kansas Twp., February 29, 1836.
DIXON, Manville – Early resident in South Palestine Twp. He is buried in the Centennial Cemetery.
DIXON, Smith and Dorliska Greer – Smith was born July 29, 1838 near Kappa and died May 10, 1912 at the same farm on which he was born. He was a son of pioneer Thomas Dixon, and Permelia Radcliff. Smith and Dorliska's children were: Elmer, William, Fred, Frank and Robert (who died young) with daughters Liona (Metzger) and Adaline (Woosley). Ward and Kenneth Dixon are grandsons. Smith lived on his father's farm in Section 31, El Paso Twp. all his life. The residence and buildings were south of the present day Kring buildings.
DIXON, Thomas and Permelia Radcliff – Thomas was born in Maryland on March 17, 1803. He died in Missouri, January 1, 1885. His wife, Permelia, was born October 6, 1811 and died October 28, 1863. Thomas was the son of John and Drussell Harvey Dixon; as a year old boy his folks moved from Maryland to near Winchester, Virginia. He was a relative of Jeremiah Dixon who surveyed the MASON-DIXON line. In 1826 (family records) he and his 16 year old bride came to Dry Grove in McLean County. (Other sources say 1829.) He hauled corn to Springfield, the nearest mill, for "cracking." He moved into Kansas Twp. near a ford on the Mackinaw in 1829 (?) which bears his name. Thomas built the first water powered "corn cracker" in the area, and enjoyed a good business, customers waiting their meal while they fished. He served as Major Stillman's teamster in the Black Hawk War, but was not present the day of "Stillman's Defeat." He did bury the dead, however, and then marched to Ottawa. His earliest land patent is for the NE 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of Section 3, Kansas Twp. and is dated June 25, 1835, with other Kansas Twp. patents in 1836. He then patented the W 1/2 of the NW 1/4 of Section 31 in El Paso Twp. on April 16, 1841, having moved onto this farm in 1833. This farm is known today as the Harold Kring farm. His house was south of the Kring house. Children of Thomas and Permelia were: Anna (Ross), Helpa (Mrs. Snavely), Smith and Allen Dixon. Smith Dixon was the grandfather of Ward Dixon; Evaline (McNaught); Ann (Ross); Caroline (Greer); and Charles (infancy). The Thomas Dixons were operating the mill in the "winter of the deep snows," 1830-31. Chicago was founded the year Dixon moved from the mill, and had 550 inhabitants. Thomas died at his son's, Allan Dixon, Judge in Joplin Missouri, but was returned to Centennial Chapel for burial in the old cemetery at that Chapel.
DOBSON, Charles – Panola Twp.'s first constable in 1855.
DONNER, Christian and Catharine Roge – Christian migrated from Germany to Illinois in 1823 and finally settled on the SW corner of Section 3 in Panola Twp. in 1856, after buying land there on November 22, 1854 from George W. Danforth. He also homesteaded I. C. R. R. land. He was the father of Peter Donner, former El Paso Mayor, who was born January 3, 1853 west of Metamora, where Christian had settled in 1849. General Clay M. Donner is a grandson.
DONOHOE, David – Settled in Secor from Ireland in 1857 and became section boss on the new railroad.
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