Biography - NATHANIEL DALBY

Among the prominent farmers of Macoupin County, Illinois, who have achieved success through the cultivation of the talents endowed upon them by the hand of Nature, is the gentleman whose name heads this personal sketch. He resides on his farm of 100 acres which is situated in section 34, Brushy Mound township. He was born in Yorkshire, England, about 1842, and is a son of Mathias and Rebecca (Lightfoot) Dalby.

Mathias Dalby was born in England, where he remained during his entire life, spending many years in the pursuits of general farming. His wife, Rebecca Lightfoot, was also a native of England, and she also spent her entire life in that country.

Nathaniel Dalby received his education in England, and although he did not have the educational advantages of the American boy, he has become very prominent in the educational circles of his county. He was raised upon a farm in his native country and in 1881 came to America on the steamship "Averrill," landing in New York City, where he remained about two days and then came to Bunker Hill, Macoupin County, Illinois, where he secured work on the farm of William Gill, whom he had known in his native country, and who had persuaded him to come to this country. After working upon the farm of Mr. Gill for some time, he rented a farm from Mr. Reynolds, and remained on that farm for 17 years. In 1901 he purchased his present farm, where he is meeting with success in the carrying on of general farming and stock raising operations. In political belief our subject is a stanch Republican, and as his reason says that no man living in the part of England from which he came could believe otherwise. He is also much interested in the educational affairs of his county; he feels his own lack of educational training, and consequently has given his children a good common schooling.

In 1876 our subject was married to Frances Harrison, also a native of England; she is a daughter of John and Jane (Chapman) Harrison, who were both natives of England. Five children were born to them, namely: Albert, Harry, Matthew, Rebecca (deceased), and William. Our subject and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Dalby have been hard working people, and what they have to-day has come as the result of unceasing toil.

Extracted 2018 May 06 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 165-166.