Person:Jonathan Dryden (2)

History of Caldwell and Livingston Counties, Missouri

Saint Louis: National Historic Company, 1886

P. 1031

Jonathan J. Dryden (Deceased)

On the 13th of November, 1855, there died, at his home in Livingston county, Mo., a man who had been a resident of this county for fifteen years, and whose name had stood from the beginning without reproach – Jonathan J. Dryden. So many of his children have become prominently identified with the affairs of this county, that it is but proper a sketch of his life should be inserted here. Originally from Sullivan county, Tenn., he was born November 15, 1813. In 1838 he removed to Missouri, locating in Daviess county. Previous to that time he had served as a soldier in the Florida War in 1836 and 1837, from which he was honorably discharged, and for his services he received a land warrant. After his settlement in Daviess county he took active and deep interest in its welfare, and, besides his connection with its agricultural affairs, was engaged in school teaching and also became well known in an official capacity. Besides being assessor he was sheriff in 1854, his election to that office being by the largest majority ever bestowed upon a candidate for that position. His death occurred while he was discharging the duties of that office, and his loss was the more keenly felt because it was known that a good and useful man had departed. His wife was formerly Caroline L. Dryden, a native of Washington county, Va., and daughter of William and Sarah Dryden. The latter’s parents were Francis and Sarah Berry, Virginians by birth. Mrs. Caroline Dryden was born in 1813, and in 1830 accompanied her father’s family to Chariton county, Mo., moving thence to Daviess county. The father was a farmer and blacksmith, and after moving to Linn county, he remained there until his death in 1860; his wife survived until 1874, dying in the same county.

Fifteen children were in their family, twelve of whom grew to maturity: Nathaniel J., Constantine, Augustine, Caroline L., Eliza A., Sallie H., William W., Thomas L., Louisa, Oscar Decatur, Virginia A., and John Q. Jonathan Dryden and wife had given them five children: David N., born January 6, 1843; William L, now deceased; Louisa J., wife of John R. Brown; Thomas A., born January 4, 1851, and John R., born July 4, 1854. Mr. D. was a participant in both the Mormon and Heatherly Wars. All his children are members of the M. E. Church South. Thomas A. Dryden, at whose insistence this sketch is inserted, is closely occupied in tilling the soil here, and, on account of his thorough acquaintance with the calling, is making it a success.

1. ↑ National Historical Company, St. Louis. History of Caldwell and Livingston Counties, Missouri: including a history of their townships, towns, and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri...biographical sketches of prominent citizens; general and local statistics...incidents and reminiscences. (Salt Lake City, Utah, United States: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1971)
   p. 1031.
2. ↑ ^2.0 2.1 Livingston, Missouri, United States. 1850 U.S. Census Population Schedule.

   District 51, Livingston, Missouri, roll M432_405, page 84, image 172.

3. ↑ Ancestry.com - OneWorldTree (discontinued in 2013): - extremely unreliable source.

   Online publication - Ancestry.com. OneWorldTree [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: MyFamily.com, Inc.