William M. Dove
Born: Dec. 9, 1838, Casey Co., KY
Died: April 19, 1918, Wayne Co., IL
Buried: Salem / Mateer Cemetery, Wayne Co., IL
Married: 1) Martha Rainwater, Feb. 18, 1856 Pulaski Co., KY 2) Nancy Jane Hunt, Aug. 15, 1869, Brown Co., IN and 3) Alice Mariah (Goss) Jones Sep. 23, 1891, Fairfield, IL
Occupation: farm laborer in Kentucky, sawyer in Minnesota, farmer in Illinois
Records:
1840 KY, Pulaski Co. probably living in the household of Nancy Dove
- 1 male under 5 - probably William he would have been 2 years old
- 2 males 20-29 could be John and David
- 1 female 20-29 could be Jane (Beasley) Dove
- 1 female 40-49 probably Nancy
1850 KY, Pulaski Co. living in his grandfather Isham Beasley's home. The family was listed twice in the census. In the first entry William's age was 10 and he is listed as 13 in the second entry.
1861 KY - Served in the Company D of the 3rd Kentucky Volunteer Infantry which was organized at Camp Dick Robinson, near Danville, KY under Colonel Thomas E. Bramlette and mustered into U.S. service on October 8, 1861 by General George H. Thomas. The company moved as follows:
- Sep. 18 to Lexington, KY
- Oct. to Camp Dick Robinson for muster
- Oct. 23 to Round Stone Creek, Rockcastle Co., KY
- nd to Crab Orchard, KY
- Nov. 1st to Somerset, KY
- Nov. 13 to A.R. West's in Wayne Co., KY
- nd returned to Camp Wolford, near Somerset, KY
- Nov. 19 to Columbia, KY
- Jan. 1, 1862 William Dove deserted
- Jan. 7, 1862 to Rennick Creek, Cumberland Co, KY
William went back to Pulaski County and moved his family with the Rainwaters to Brown Co., Indiana to be out of harm's way during the war. Once the family was settled William went to Minnesota and on Feb. 9, 1865 he enlisted in Company K of the 1st Regiment of the Minnesota Heavy Artillery.
His enlistment statement:
I, William Dove, born in Casey Co. in the state of Kentucky, aged twenty-seven years, and by occupation a sawyer, do hereby acknowledge to have volunteered this ninth day of February, 1865, to serve as a soldier in the army of the United States of America, for the period of one year, unless sooner discharged by proper authority; Do also agree to accept such bounty, pay, rations, and clothing, as are, or may be, solemnly swear, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the United States of America, and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or opposers whomsoever; and that I will observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the Rules and Articles of War.
Sworn & subscribed to at Morristown this 9th day of February, 1865, before David Billes, J.P. signed by William Dove.
The recruiting officer, John Parker signed an affidavit stating in part that "he was entirely sober when enlisted . . . This soldier has blue eyes, fair hair, light complexion, is five feet six inches high."
William Dove was mustered into Company D of the 1st Minnesota Heavy Artillery at St. Paul, MN on Feb. 21, 1865. He was paid a bounty of $33.33 and was due the remainder in the amount of $66.67. The next day he reported to Ft. Snelling, MN which is now part of St. Paul. The 1st Minnesota Heavy Artillery was assigned to guard Chattanooga, TN. William's record shows the following:
- Feb. 25 - 28, 1865 present
- Feb. 25 - April 30 - absent, on guard duty at Stewart's Landing by order Lt. Col. L.L. Baxter since Apri l12, 1865
- April & May 1865 - absent detailed as guard at Stuarts Landing by order of Col. Baxter April 2, 1865
- June 1865 - absent on detached service at Jenning's Landing per S.O. No. 85 by order Lt. Col. Baxter since April 2, 1865
- May & June 1865 - absent - on guard duty at Jenning's Landing by Special Order No. 85 Lt. Col. Baxter since April 12, 1865
- July & Aug. 1865 - present
- Sept. 27, 1865 - mustered out, last paid on April 30, 1865, due payment of $17.29
Bounty paid $33.33, due $33.33
Excerpts from Lt. James Egan's history of the First Regiment of Heavy Artillery:
This regiment commenced its organization in the summer of 1864, and as fast as each company was organized was ordered to Chattanooga, Tenn. Sherman had begun his march to the sea, Hood was preparing to march northerly, and Chattanooga thus became a strategic point. General Thomas was in Nashville, overlooking the entire situation, and maintaining a large force of artillery at Lookout Mountain and Chattanooga.
The regiment was composed of twelve companies, each company containing one hundred and forty men, officered by one captain, four lieutenants, and the usual non-commissioned officers. Great care was used by the governor in selecting such officers, old veteran soldiers being usually selected, sergeants from the veteran First Minnesota and corporals from the Third, Fourth and Fifth being made captains and lieutenants.
The command is ordered to Chattanooga to take charge of the heavy guns and forts of that place. Under the brow of Missionary Ridge, at the base of Lookout Mountain, and with the battlefields of Chickamauga and Atlanta beyond, what inspiring memories to lofty thoughts and patriotism! Rumor comes from time to time that Hood is about to march to Chattanooga and thence to Knoxville. The men are placed on half-rations, and the utmost vigilance exerted and anxiety prevails. There was reason for this anxiety. General Hood had reorganized the rebel forces of the South and Southwest, and it was a serious question as to what route he would take north. By attacking and capturing Chattanooga, thence on to Knoxville, he could have joined General Lee and delayed the final result.
The confidence displayed by Generals Thomas and Stedman, in placing the regiment in so responsible a post, was extremely complimentary. General Thomas Francis Meagher, fresh from the battlefields of Virginia, was given command of the district of Etawah, embracing our post, until the danger was over. The battle of Nashville has been fought and won; Sherman has reached the Carolinas; Lee has surrendered at Appomattox. The war practically over, the regiment in the summer and fall of 1865 is finally mustered out. Captain Harvey Officer of St. Paul was honored by being made acting assistant adjutant general of the district. Lieutenant Colonel Baxter became our colonel, and was, by order of General Thomas, chief of garrison artillery of Chattanooga from March, 1865, until the regiment left for home. Others, by reason of their activity and intelligence, were placed in places of trust and peril, and the regiment, with its career and duty well done and sacrifice endured, merits a name high on the monument that the record of Minnesota soldiers deserves.
1865 MN, Rice Co., Morristown census record - William is head of household, listed as soldier in the Minnesota Territorial census. Members of household listed, no ages or birth places given:
Marth[a]
Minerva J.
Miles L.
Mary C. [Mary Emma?]
Ruth [is this Emily?]
1869 - May 8 - IN - Martha (Rainwater) Dove died
1870 IL, Wayne Co., Four Mile Twp. census William age 30, a farmer with $520 real estate and $380 personal estate living with his second wife Nancy. There are four children in the house and William's father John age 55.
1880 Four Mile Twp., Wayne Co., IL age 41 William and Nancy, six children and a son-in-law
1890 Oct. 13 - William filed for an invalid pension. #937139 Cert #653679. Documents included:
1891 - May 2 - It is alleged that Wm. Dove enlisted Feb. 9, 1865 and served as a Private in Co. L, 1 Reg't Minn H.A. [heavy artillery] and was discharged at Nashville, Tenn, Sept. 27, 1865. It is also alleged that while on duty at Chattanooga, Tenn on or about Aug. 1, 1865, he was disabled by disease of heart and was treated in hospitals of which the names, locations and dates of treatment are as follows:
Reg'tl Hosp.
1899 - IL, Wayne Co., Four Mile Twp. - William purchased 80 acres from R.H. McKinney for $1000. SW1/4, NW1/4 & NW1/4, SW1/4 Section 30. This land lies along the Wayne County / Jefferson County line.
1899 - Jan. 17 - Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions document:
Western Div. Inv[alid] Cert. No. 653679, William Dove, Co. L, 1 Reg't. Minn H.A. Act June 27, 1890. Will you kindly answer, at your earliest convenience, the questions enumered below? The information is requested for future use, and it may be of great value to your family. Very respectfully, Commissioner.
Mr. Wm. Dove, Six Mile, Ill.
No. 1 Are you a married man? If so, please state your wife's full name, and her maiden name
Answer: yes. A.M. Dove, A.M. Goss
No. 2 When, where, and by whom were you married?
Answer: Sept. 23, 1891 Fairfield, Ill., John L. Cooper
No. 3 What record of marriage exists?
Answer: Marriage certificate
No. 4 Were you previously married? If so, please state the name of your former wife and the date and place of her death or divorce.
Answer: Yes. Martha Rainwater, May 8, 1869, Indiana
No. 5 Have you any children living? If so, please state their names and the dates of their birth.
Answer: Yes. Joe Mason Dove 5 years, April 8 - 94. Gussie Anna Dove Augst 6, 98
Date of reply, Jan. 24, 1899, William Dove [signature]
1900 IL, Wayne Co., Four Mile Twp. census - William, 61 with his third wife Alice two of their children, Nancy's son William and Alice's daughter Nettie Jones.
1908 - IL, Wayne Co., Four Mile Twp. - William & Alice Dove sold 40 acres to Christenie Austin for $250. SW1/4, SW1/4, Section 19. This land lays on the Wayne County / Jefferson County line just south of the highway.
1908 - Dec. 21 - US. Dept. of Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Certificate 65367 - soldier William Dove, Co. L, 1 Reg' Minn. Hy Aty, Private Enrolled Feby 9, 1865, Disch Sept. 27, 1865. State roster shows age at enlistment 27 yrs. Chas. Reed.
1909 - IL, Wayne Co., Four Mile Twp. - William purchased 10 acres from John Wesley & Mary Elizabeth (Robertson) Henry [daughter of
David Robertson] for $250. NW corner of SW1/4, SW1/4 Sec. 30. This land lays on the Wayne County / Jefferson County line, south of the land sold in 1908.
1910 IL, Wayne Co., Four Mile Twp. census William, 71 and Alice with their son Joseph and Alice's daughter Nettie (listed as Dove).
1912, May 31 - William applied for a military pension.
Declaration for Pension: State of Illinois, County of Wayne. On this 31st day of May, AD one thousand nine hundred and twelve personally appeared before me, a Notary Public within and for the county and State aforesaid, William Dove, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is 73 years of age, and a resident of Bluford, county of Jefferson, State of Illinois; and that he is the identical person who was enrolled at Morristown, Minn, under the name of William Dove on the 9th day of February 1865, as private in Co. L, 1st Minn, Heavy Artillery in the service of the United States, in the Civil war and was honorably discharged at Nashville, Tenn, on the 27th day of September 1865. That he was not employed in the military or naval service of the United States otherwise than as stated above. That his personal description at enlistment was as follows: Height 5 feet, 6 inches; complexion Light; color of eyes blue; color of hair light; that his occupation was Sawyer that he was born December 8th, 1838 at Kentucky. That his several places of residence since leaving the service have been as follows:
In Indiana until 1867, about all the time in Wayne County, Ill.
That he is a pensioner under certificate 653679. That he has applied for pension under original No. 653679. That he makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the pension roll of the United States under the provisions of the act of May 11, 1912. That his post-office address is Bluford, county of Jefferson, state of Illinois.
Attest:1) Netta Dove, 2) D.M. Fyffe, Signature William Dove
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 31st day of May, AD 1912 . . . W.B. Myers, Notary Public
Another page of the application dated June 24, 1899 states that his address is Six Mile, IL [Keenes] and answered the following:
- Are you a married man? Yes, wife's name A.M. Goss
- When, where and by whom were you married? Sept. 23, 1891, Fairfield, IL by John L. Cooper
- Were you previously married? If so, please state the name of your former wife, date and place of her death: Yes, Martha Rainwater, May 8, 1869 Indiana
- Have you any children living? If so, please state their names and dates of birth: Joe Mason Dove April 8, 1894, Gussie Anna Dove Aug. 6, 1898
1918 - April 19 - William Dove's death certificate indicates that he was 79 years, 4 months and 10 days old. A farmer born in Kentucky and his father's name was John Dove. William's son W.W. Dove was the informant. G.L. Taylor was the physician and stated that he attended William from April 1 through April 17 when he last saw him alive. The principal cause of death was senility. He was interred in Salem Cemetery on April 20, 1918.
After his death Alice (Goss) Jones Dove applied for a widow's pension. This application includes affadavits regarding the the deaths of Martha (Rainwater) Dove and Nancy (Hunt) Dove.
W.H. Rainwater, [Martha (Rainwater) Dove's brother] aged 68 and Lucinda Heath aged 72 of Keenes, Wayne Co., IL affadavit: W.H. Rainwater says that he knows that Martha Dove is dead. That she was at his father's house when she, Martha Dove, died. He further says he was at burying and saw Martha Dove buried.
Lucinda Heath says on her oath that she knew Nancy Dove and that she was at home of William Dove when Nancy Dove lay a corpse and saw Nancy Dove after she was dead.
1935 - Jan. 15 - Stop payment notice on widow's pension filed upon death of Alice Dove.
Children by Martha Rainwater:Manerva / Maureen b. 1857 KY, living in 1870, age 13
Miles b. 4/1860 KY d. 1931, md. 1) Margaret Smith 1876, 2) Mary Lane ca. 1888
- James William b. 1877, d. 1945
- Carrie b. 7/1888 md. Samuel Shook 2/3/1913
- Flossie Shook b. 1914 md. Laverne Van Stone, Sr.
- Iva Shook b. 1915, d. 2008 md. Ernest Leathers
- William b. 1890, d. 1892
- John b. 1892, d. 1895
- Mary b. 1895, d. 1895
- Effie b. 1/26/1897, d. 1/7/1992, never married
Mary Emma b. 3/25/1863 IN, d. 10/24/1939 Tulsa, OK md. Franklin Pierce Withrow 11/23/1879
- Unnamed daughter b. before 1881, d. young
- William Newton Withrow b. 6/29/1881 IL, d. 9/12/1957 KS md. Doracy Bailey Ogden 12/24/1905
- Ruth Withrow b. 1907, d. 1996 md. Elvin Graves
- Reba Withrow b. 1909, d. 1923
- Raymond Withrow b. 1911, d. 1976 md. 1) Dorothy Mitchell, 2) Norma Landers
- Roy Withrow b. 1913, d. 1970, md. Lucinda Waldo
- Reda Withrow b. 1915, d. 1988, md. Jacob Epp
- Riley Withrow b. 1917, d. 2001, md. Maxine Myers
- Rolland Withrow b. 1919, d.1986 md. 1) Marjorie Kelly, 2) Gladys Custer
- Ralph Withrow b. 1921, d. 1991 md. 1) Evelyn Foy, 2) Ida Dennis
- Mary Withrow b. 1923, d. 1998, never married
- Joseph Withrow b. 1926, d. 1999 md. Harriet Adamson
- Everett Withrow b. 1929, d. 2015 md. Emileen Voth
- Miles Grandison Withrow b. ca. 1883 AR, d. 12/2/1956 md. Ada Elizabeth Edmonds 9/18/1910
- Troy Withrow b. 1912, d. 1994, md. Lelah (--?--)
- Robert Withrow b. 1918, d. 1981
- Perry Withrow b. 1923 md. 1992 md. Gloria Ghigleni
- Grace Withrow b. 1925, d. 2015 md. Ellis Child
- Arlene Withrow b. 1927, d. 2002 md. Charles Ginter
- Elmer Pierce Withrow b. 5/26/1886 IL, d. 6/4/1975 MO md. 1) Alice Lillian Martindale 8/19/1911, 2) Nellie Jones ca. 1958
- Gussie Withrow b. 1912, d. 1993, md. William Bailey
- Gordon Withrow b. 1915, d. 1974 md. Dorothy (--?--)
- Phema Withrow b. 1917, d. 2004 md. LeRoy Painter
- Clemmie Withrow b. 1919, d. 1966 md. Charles Painter
- Lillian Withrow b. 1922, d. 2019 md. John Weems
- Boyd Withrow (twin) b. 1923, d. 1994 md. Betty Wagner
- Lloyd Withrow (twin) b. 1923, d. 1994 md. Wilma Habermehl
- Joy Withrow (twin) b. 1928, d. 2011 md. Edward Wiley
- Mary Delight Withrow (twin) b. 1928, d. 2005 md. Glen Cornelius
- George Withrow
- Shirley Withrow
- Winford Withrow b. 1934, d. 2020, never married
- Dorothy Withrow b. 1935, d. 2017
- DeEtta Frances Withrow b. 9/25/1888 MO, d. 1/12/1975 md. 1) Bill Smallwood, 12/4/1910, 2) Bert Damon 3/27/1923 3) Bill Smallwood (again) 2/2/1950
- Ather Smallwood b. 1912, d. 1919
- George Smallwood (twin) b. 1914
- Ruby Smallwood (twin) b. 1914, d. 2004
- Mary Smallwood b. 1919, d. 2010
- Frederick Damon b. 1925, d. 1986
- Everett Withrow b. ca. 1891 TX, d. 1/12/1967 CA md. 1) Ola Franks 3/1911, 2) Olive Duphel 1/2/1942
- Zula Withrow b. 1912, d. 1993 md. Aubrey Howe
- John Withrow b. 1918, d. 2010 md. Farene McIntosh
- Virginia Withrow b. 1919, d. 1966, md. Harold Dillard
- Martha Magdalene Withrow b. 2/5/1893 OK, d. 11/9/1977, OK md. 1) William Harris 1913, 2) Clifford McPeters 1919
- Gladys Harris b. 1916, d. 2000 md. George Tigert
- Katrina McPeters b. 1921, d. 1982 md. 1) (--?--) Hodges, 2) (--?--) Wilson, 3) (--?--) Taber
- Clifford McPeters b. 1923, d. 1998 md. Dorothy Goodwin
- Mary McPeters
- Ethel Withrow b. 7/7/1895 OK, d. 7/9/1934 md. 1913 Dock Rogers
- Mary Rogers
- Barney Rogers
- Lois Rogers
- Raymond Rogers b. 1924, d. 1986 md. Shirley Holmes
- Inez Rogers
- Millard Rogers b. 1930, d. 1978 md. Virginia Jenkins
- Grace Rogers
- Garland Rogers b. 1932, d. 2018 md. Alyce McClain
- Grace b. 10/30/1897 OK, d. 1/23/1973 OK md. 1) Ezra Gawthrop 6/6/1932; 2) William Garrison 11/29/1941
- Tillman b. 8/23/1899 OK, d. 8/13/1988 CA md. Susie Hale 8/15/1922
- Wilma Withrow b. 1923, d. 2005 md. 1) Charles Austin, 2) Leroy Bonato
- Betty Withrow b. 1925, d. 2019 md. George Carter
- Maggie Withrow b. 1927, d. 2020 md. (--?--) Albright
- Fines Withrow (m)
- Dorothy Withrow b. 1933, d 2017 md. Coy Snow
- Cledus Withrow b. 1935, d. 2015
- James Withrow
- Ronnie Withrow (twin) b. 6/30/1941, d. 7/23/1941
- Roddie Withrow (twin) b. 6/30/1941, d. 9/15/1942
- Bobbie Withrow (f)
- Glenda Withrow
Ruth? Emily b. 1865 MN, d. 1891 MO md. Charle Lee 1883 - Elza Hezekiah Lee b. 1884, d. 1963
- Alva Ralph Lee b. 1888, d. 1973
- Robert Elmer Lee b. 1890, d. 1976
Children by Nancy Jane Hunt:
Martha Ellen b. 1871 IL, md. William Walter Hill 12/29/1894
Ollie C. b. 1873 IL md. W.L. West, 1888
Louisa Miranda b. 7/8/1878 IL
John b. 9/1879, living 1880, 9 months old
William Willis b. 4/1881 IL, d. 1964 IL, md. Delia Lane 6/1/1904
- Evelyn b. 1908 IL md. C.J. Gilbert 9/20/1924
- Mable A. b. 1913 IL, d. 1914
- Thelma b. 1916 IL, md. Walter Martin ca. 1930
Nettie Mae.* b. 3/1885 IL md. William Evins, 9/6/1903
Children by Alice Mariah (Goss) Jones:
Nettie/Anettie R.M.* b. 7/11/1893, d. 7/1970 md. Floyd Wollitz 5/30/1918 [Nettie not listed as William's living child in his 1899 Civil War pension file]
- Ruby Wollitz b. 1918, d. 1988 md. 1937 Herman Beasley
- Joe Wollitz b. 1920, d. 1972
- Opal Wollitz b. 1924, d. 2006 md. Herman Gannon
- Risa Gannon md. Ray Vojtas
- Kay Gannon md. Andy Anderson
- Mary Jo Gannon md. George Tucker
- Earl Wollitz b. 1925, d. 1993 md. 1961 Margaret Rosane
- Connie Wollitz md. (--?--) Pavel
- Carole Wollitz md. (--?--) Cummins
- Earl Wollitz Jr.
Joseph Mason b. 4/18/1894 IL, d. 2/24/1955 IL md. Clara Bell Wood 1/24/1914
- Kenneth Harold b. 11/7/1914, d. 3/20/1975 md. Doris (Payne) Shaw
- Robert Dove b. 1952, d. 2002
- Keith William b. 6/10/1918, d. 12/7/2002 md. Bernice Harper 1940
- Billie Ray b. 1941, d. 1941
- Sharon b. 1942, d. 2021
- Kermit b. 12/2/1923, d. 12/19/1993, never married
Gussie Ann b. 8/6/1898, living 1900
Ellen?
Child of Alice Goss & Isaac Jones: Nettie/Anettie R.M.* b. 7/11/1890, d. 7/1970 md. Floyd Wollitz 5/30/1918
Nettie seems to have been the daughter of Isaac & Alice (Goss) Jones. According to the 1900 census her surname is Jones and she was born July 1890 - 14 months before Alice married William Dove. In the 1910 census she is listed as Nettie Dove. In subsequent census records her birth date varies from 1893 to 1895 and her surname is given as Dove. When William Dove made his Civil War pension application in 1899 he didn't list her as his living child and she was 9 years old. Her tombstone bears the birthdate 1893.
- Ruby Wollitz b. 1918, d. 1988 md. 1937 Herman Beasley
- Joe Wollitz b. 1920, d. 1972
- Opal Wollitz b. 1924, d. 2006 md. Herman Gannon
- Risa Gannon md. Ray Vojtas
- Kay Gannon md. Andy Anderson
- Mary Jo Gannon md. George Tucker
- Earl Wollitz b. 1925, d. 1993 md. 1961 Margaret Rosane
- Connie Wollitz md. (--?--) Pavel
- Carole Wollitz md. (--?--) Cummins
- Earl Wollitz Jr.
Children of Alice Goss & either Isaac Jones or William Dove:unknown b. before 1910, d. before 1910
unknown b. before 1910, d. before 1910
unknown b. before 1910, d. before 1910
unknown b. before 1910, d. before 1910
In the 1910 census Alice is listed as being the mother of 8 children and 4 are living.
The children for whom I have no death information may have died young and may be buried in Bruce Cemetery or Salem / Mateer Cemetery. There are very few tombstones left in Bruce Cemetery so there is no way to know.
*I may have the two Nettie's confused as they are confusing. They each used the Dove surname when they married and I may have the marriages twisted. I'd like to hear from anyone with definite information regarding the two Netties.
Revised 9/9/2026
