Clarkson Dorsett Biographical Review

CLARKSON DORSETT, of section 21, Huntsville, has had his residence in Illinois since 1835. He was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, April 28, 1823, being a son of Ezra and Mary (Beckerdite) Dorsett. In 1835 the family came to Illinois and first settled in Adams county, and Mr. Dorsett, Sr., entered land in Huntsville township, section 6. There Clarkson grew to manhood, and after marriage settled where he now resides. At first he purchased forty acres of land, which was unimproved, and here he has since resided. He now owns ninety-seven and one-half acres of land, and has a good set of farm buildings. He was married August 23, 1844, to Sarah Sprigg, born in Meade county, Kentucky, October 11, 1824, being a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Dorsey) Sprigg, natives of Kentucky. The family came to Illinois in 1835 and settled in Huntsville. Mr. Sprigg died in Kentucky while on a visit. His wife survived him and died in Schuyler county. Mr. and Mrs. Dorsett have had ten children: Eliza Ann, born August 28, 1845, married Thomas B. Graham, of Huntsville township; Linza D., deceased December 25, 1848; Nathan G., born December 12, 1849, resides in Ford county, Kansas; Francis A., born December 10, 1851, resides in Huntsville township; Elizabeth Jane, born July 9, 1861, married Lewis Alexander Prather, resides in Littleton township; William M., born March 11, 1865, at home; Mary M., born May 7, 1867, at home; and Cynthia E., born August 10, 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Dorsett are earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Dorsett has been a member since he was fourteen years old. He has been a Class-leader for many years in the church at Shiloh, of which society he was the organizer and liberal supporter. Mr. Dorsett is a Republican and has been School Director. He and his wife are highly esteemed by all who know them. Mrs. Dorsett had five sisters and three brothers: Mary Pendleton, Eliza Chappel, Nancy Clark, Sarah Jane Dorsett, Matilda (Ezra) Dorsett, Melvina Veatch, Thomas C., and Samuel, deceased.