1925 Biography - Charles Damron
Charles Damron, an old resident of this county, was born in Kentucky, his father was Wilson Damron, who was a native of Virginia. Wilson was a contemporary of Daniel Boone. He later removed to that section of the northwest territory that made Illinois. He was in the employ of a fur company, and at one time made explorations in the Yellowstone River country. He spent his last days near Springfield, Mo. The maiden name of his wife was McLane. Charles the (1) came with his parents to this state, and while living in Saline County, 1818, voted for the adoption of the first constitution. After his marriage to Mary Carson, he removed to Weakly County, Tenn, where he resided until 1852, when he again came to Illinois and settled in Tunnel Hill Township on the farm now owned by John Bonar, where he lived till his death, 1878. He was known for his good deeds. The children were J. M. C. (2), Saml. (2), Norval (2), James (2), Mary (2), Mexico (2), Jane (2), Drucilla (2), Almus (2). Dr. J. M. C. (2) received his early education in select schools of Tennessee. He began teaching in Williamson County this state at the age of 21, having taught in one school five successive terms. In the meantime reading medicine as it was called. It was not necessary at that time to have a diploma before one began the practice of medicine in this state. Dr. Damron attended Rush Medical College, Chicago, 1854-55, and began his medical career in Saline County, 1855, removing the same year to Vienna. He returned to Rush Medical, and graduated with the class of 1860. He was well known and a well liked physician, and traveled over the rough roads of this county, many years, also engaging at different times in the drug business. He was a mason, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a Democrat in politics. He died in 1911. Dr. Damron (2) was born in Tennessee, 1824, married Elizabeth Buckner, 1850 and they had one son, Leonidas (3) who is now, if living a farmer in Missouri. Dr. Damron (2) married second Adeline Standard 1855, and their children were John Franklin (3), who died about 1915, leaving no children, Emma (3), married Dennis Wilson of Cape Girardeau, Mo. and had several children, but the name of only one, Owna (3), is known. Mollie (3) married T. G. Johnson of this county, who died quite young leaving Essie (4), Eva (4) and Damron (4). The children with their mother moved to St. Louis, Mo. Jennie (3) was a resident of New York City in 1908. Lucy (3) married Clinton Shearer of New Burnside, and removed to Oklahoma where she died 1920, leaving a daughter, Mrs. E. S. Rardin (4) of Oklahoma City, Okla., who has Clinton (5) and Paul (5). Agusta (3) married Fred Tate of Hardin County, and had Lucille (4). Mr. Tate served in the Spanish War and died soon after its close. Agusta (2) was a resident of Washington, D. C. in 1909. Charles Norval (2) was born about 1840. He began his career as a teacher, later studying law which profession he followed with success in this section for many years. He was at one time Circuit Attorney of this district, and traveled the circuit with the Judge, taking care of all the state cases. He later served as States Attorney of this county and also as Judge. He was a Lieutenant in Company K., 120th Illinois Volunteer of the Civil War. He married Mary, daughter of Martin Harvick, first settler. The family moved to San Bernardino, Calif, about 1881. The children were Cass (3) who died in California leaving two daughters. Flora (3) married Charles Dunscomb of Bethany, Ill. They now reside in Berkeley, Calif., where Mr. Dunscomb is owner and publisher of the "Berkeley Gazette." Mrs. Damron is still living and a resident of San Bernardino. Judge Damron died about 1815. Mexico (2) married John Graves and had William (3) and Mexico (3). William (3) married Arista Rose, has Charles (4) and resides in Ft. Collins, Colo. Mexico (3) married Thomas Helms and had Audrey (4) who married Joseph (see Clymore).
James W. (2) was a farmer of Grantsburg Township. He was elected assessor and treasurer for the county serving one term. He removed with his family to Puxico, Mo., about 1900. He was a Presbyterian, a mason and a member of the Peoples Party. He married Sidney Rose and had Catherine (3), who married James Fleming and died leaving Clyde (4) who is a resident of Detroit, Mich. Charles P. (3) married Myrtle Swain and their children are Louise (4), Helen (4), and Catherine (4). This family resides at Fredericktown, Mo. Charles is a lawyer and has represented his district in the State Legislature. One son, Herschel and two daughters, Libby and Maude of J. W. and Sidney's family, died after they were grown. Alumus (3) is a successful business man of Puxico, Mo. He married there and has two children. Samuel Damron (2) was a farmer and physician of Tunnel Hill Township. He married Amanda (see Chapman) and died when quite a young man. Drucilla (2) married George Worley. Mary (2) married Tamberlain Chapman. Jane (2) married Henry Anderson and had Drucilla (3) who married Thomas (see Chapman); Frank (3) married Melissa Chapman, Norve (3) and John (3).
Almus G. (2) grew up and was educated in this county. He began as a teacher, later selected law as his profession, in which he made a decided success. He was a man of ability and energy and served the county as States Attorney. His health failed and he removed with his family to San Bernardino, Calif., where he died in 1884. He married Edith, daughter of A. J. Kuykendall. They had Mamie, who married and was a former resident of New York City. Wirt is a prominent attorney of Harrisburg, and has served that city as judge.
Extracted 06 Feb 2017 by Norma Hass from 1925 A History of Johnson County, Illinois, by Mrs. P. T. Chapman, pages 367-369..
