ABOUT:
John Jeffries Dorsey &
Lulie Abigill (Duvall) Dorsey
John Jeffries (Jack) DORSEY, the son of Anderson James DORSEY and Mary Polly Harrington DORSEY, was born the 20th day of March, 1848 on a farm in Larue Co. KY. The birthplace of Abraham Lincoln was only eighteen miles from where he was born. He was reared to manhood in his native state, Kentucky, and educated in the public schools there.
On August 14, 1870, he and Lulie Abigill DUVALL eloped and were united in marriage at Gallatin, Tennessee. She was born in Hardin Co., KY on December 1, 1852 and was the daughter of Gabriel DUVALL and Elizabeth Slaughter DUVALL.
In 1884, they came to Wellington, Kansas, making the trip with a team and wagon. They remained there about three years and in July, 1887 moved and located on Government land in Clark County, about five miles north of Ashland. In 1906 he bought a farm one and one-half miles north of Sitka, where he was successfully engaged in farming and stock raising. He had a well improved farm and was one of the prosperous agriculturist of the county. They lived on this farm until 1920 at which time he retired and they moved to Ashland. Mr. Dorsey was a Democrat, and after coming to Clark Co. figured conspicuously in the local councils of his party. In 1895 he was elected Register Of Deeds of Clark Co. and re-elected to succeed himself in 1897, and capably held that office for four years. John J. Dorsey served as County Treasurer for Clark County during the years of 1922 to 1926.
In 1902, Mr. Dorsey served as the manager of the Exchange Hotel in Ashland. He was a member of the Ashland Masonic Lodge and the Odd Fellow Lodge. In 1904 me patented the following land, NE4SW4 & NW4SE4 of S13, T31, R21, NW4NE4 & SW4SE4 of S23, T31, R21. In 1906 he bought a farm 1.5 miles north of Sitka and engaged in farming and stock raising. He later sold the farm to John Swayze.
On August 14, 1920, the Dorseys celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in their home with about one hundred fifty friends and neighbors. In September 1920 they moved to Ashland.
While a boy in Kentucky, Mr. Dorsey was united with the Baptist Church. When Mrs. Dorsey was twelve years of age she united with the Baptist Church. In coming to Ashland they both came to the Presbyterian Church uniting with this church on April 2, 1889. To this church she has been faithful through the succeeding years and since her moving back to town she seldom missed the services of the church except on account of illness. Her religion was to her as real as her breathing. Her religious privileges she considered as such. In faith she faithfully lived and in faith she died without fear. Knowing that she had this faith her loved ones "weep not as those who have no hope" trusting in "Him who does all things well" and being "persuaded that He is able to keep that which His children commit to His care." She died in Ashland, February 5, 1923, at the age of 70 years, 2 months and 5 days, and Mr. Dorsey died June 20, 1925, in Ashland. They were both buried in Highland Cemetery at Ashland, Clark Co. KS.
The following obituary was published in The Ashland Clipper, Thursday, June 25, 1925.
John J. Dorsey was born in Larue county, Kentucky, on the 20th day of March, 1848, and departed this life at Ashland, Clark county, Kansas, on the 20th day of June, 1925, aged 77 years and 3 months. At Gallatin, Tenn., on the 14th day of August, 1870 he was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Duvall, who departed this life February 5th, 1922. To this union were born five children, Robert A., Gabriel D., Thomas M., Aldora N., and Amy H., now Mrs. C. R. Dugan, all of whom are living in and in close proximity to Ashland, and all of whom were at the funeral service except Robert A. Dorsey who was at Oklahoma City with his wife who is critically ill.
The family came to Wellington, Kansas, in 1885, and moved to the Bluff Creek neighborhood in Clark county, in July, 1887. They moved to Ashland in 1895. Mr. Dorsey was a farmer all his life with the exception of the years 1896 to 1900, when he was Register of Deeds, and the later years when he retired from active life.
While a mere boy in Kentucky Mr. Dorsey began the Christian life and united with the Baptist church. He has been a consistent Christian through these years. On April 2nd, 1899 with Mrs. Dorsey, he united with the Ashland Presbyterian church. His was a deep and sincere piety. In late years, on account of ill health he has not been able to attend worship in the church, but maintained the means of grace in private devotions. Whether able to attend church or not he looked to Jesus Christ as the author and furnisher of his faith, and his Saviour. In this faith he lived and died.
Mr. Dorsey was a member of both the Masonic and Odd Fellow lodges. He was a pioneer and did his part in carrying out the responsibilities of home and state. Such as he builded the commonwealth which we of the next generations enjoy., He bestowed upon his family and community a name without blemish, which is a priceless heritage. He was a good father and provided for his own family. While the loved ones deeply mourn the loss of a devoted and wise father and brother, they rejoice in the record of that life and the many years he was granted to be with them. In addition to those already mentioned he leaves to mourn his decease four sisters and two brothers. They are Mrs. Maggie Patterson, Mrs. Ella Reesour and James Dorsey of Kentucky; Walt Dorsey of Colorado; Mrs. Julia Bogue of Alabama; and Mrs. Wildora Bland of Argonia, Kansas. The latter was present at the funeral.
Funeral services were held in the Presbyterian church. Music was furnished by a quartet composed of E. R. Wallingford, T. Clarke Key, R.R. McFadden and B. E. Grimes. Miss Margaret Grimes played the pipe organ. The ushering was done by J. M. Linn and H. L. Kennedy. The sermon was preached by Rev. Thomas R. Mordy from the test in Isaiah 46:4 - "Even to your old age I am He; and even to hoary hairs I will carry you."
The flower committee was composed of the following: Mrs. Geo. M. Grimes, Mrs. B. L. Stephens, Mrs. W. L. Ainsworth, Mrs. S. E. Grimes and Mrs. C. A. Wallingford. The pall bearers were Charles Hoover, Eyuman Phebus, G. A. Hughs, W. A. Lonker, Era Rhodes and M. T. Wilson.
