Biography - SAMUEL NELSON DALBY
Samuel Nelson Dalby was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, England, April 30, 1817. His father, Robert Dalby, was a surveyor and school teacher. In 1834, father and son came to America on a visit, promising the wife and mother a speedy return. They landed in New York, and, in company with a brother-in-law of the subject of this sketch, came on, in 1835, to Edwards county. Once here they determined on making it their home, and under the shade of a tree, standing out in a prairie, about nine miles north of Albion cast lots as to which of the three should return to meet mother and family on their way hither. The lot fell to Mr. Brooks. It was further agreed that he should purchase a stock of goods with which to commence merchandising in Albion, so all their funds were given to his keeping. With light heart he started on his journey. No positive tidings were ever heard of him, although it is quite certain that in a steamboat disaster between Louisville and Cincinnati, he was lost. Some time after word came that Mrs. Dalby and children had arrived in New York, after enduring great hardships, entailing loss of money, furniture and other household effects. At sea the ship Scotland, on which they were aboard, was shipwrecked and their lives alone were preserved. Samuel and his father were unable to aid them in their extremity. After stating the facts a Mr. Clark, a Quaker, told them they were welcome to what money he had in New York, and a draft was sent to Mrs. Dalby. Too late it reached its destination. Mrs. Dalby, worn out with care and anxiety, had sickened and died. The draft was returned, and again sent on its mission of mercy, made payable to any of the surviving children. A gentleman named Swales, saw the children to Pittsburg, another to Louisville, thence to Mt. Vernon, Ind., and here. The three children are, David, now of Kansas; Sugden, of Liverpool, England, and Sarah Thompson, of Newport, Ky. During all this time Robert was engaged teaching a school, and Samuel, the only child who had learned a trade, was engaged in tailoring. Samuel's grandfather was killed at the age of ninety-seven by a fall on a sidewalk, and what is remarkable, his father was killed in about the same manner, nine miles north of Albion.
Samuel N. married Elizabeth Brisenden, in 1836, by whom he had three children, Mrs. Agnes Weaver, John and Leroy (dead). She died in 1843. He was again married to Sarah C. Skeavington, by whom he has had seven children. Among his relations he is more proud of John Nelson, the celebrated divine from whom he was named, his mother's uncle, than any other.
Mr. Dalby is a merchant tailor. As a citizen he is a model man. In the enjoyment of universal respect, he is passing the evening of life.
Extracted 12 Aug 2017 by Norma Hass from 1883 A Combined History of Edwards, Lawrence, and Wabash Counties, Illinois, page 214-B.
