From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, 
publ. 1912, Page 1483-1485
 
WILLIAM J. DAWLEY.  It will always be a mark of distinction to have served in 
the Federal army during the great Civil war between the states.  The old 
soldier will receive attention no matter where he goes if he will but make 
himself known, particularly if he puts on his old faded uniform.  And when he 
passes away, which the last of them must do within a few years, most of them 
having already lived out their allotted three score and ten, according to the 
Psalmist, friends will pay him suitable eulogy for the sacrifices he made 
fifty years ago on the field or in the no less dreaded prison or hospital.  
And ever afterward his descendants will revere his memory and take pride in 
recounting his services for his country in the hour of peril.
 
One of the old soldiers who went forth to fight to save the union of states is 
William J. DAWLEY, retired farmer.  Mr. DAWLEY was born on November 25, 1844, 
in the state of New York.  He is the son of Clark and Harriet DAWLEY, both 
natives of New York state, where they grew up and were married, and from there 
they emigrated to Wisconsin in 1847, first locating in Whitewater, in which 
vicinity Mr. DAWLEY purchased a farm, but remained there only a few years, 
then sold out and moved his family to Hebron, this state, and bought a farm 
near there, which he operated with his usual success for a period of nine 
years, then sold out and moved to Iowa, where he bought another farm, 
remaining there about thirty years, becoming well established in the meantime; 
he then moved back to Whitewater, Wisconsin, where he continued to reside 
until his death.
 
To Mr. and Mrs. Clark DAWLEY two children were born, namely: William J., of 
this sketch, and Mrs. Jane MILLIS.
 
William J. DAWLEY grew up on the home farm where he assisted with the general 
work when a boy during the summer months, attending the common schools in the 
winter time.  When the Civil war came on Mr. DAWLEY proved his patriotism by 
enlisting on August 15, 1862, in Company D, Twenty-eighth Wisconsin Volunteer 
Infantry, in which he served very faithfully for a period of three years, 
taking part in many important campaigns and battles.  He was mustered out on 
August 22, 1865, at Washington, D.C.  After the war he returned to his 
Wisconsin home and has lived most of his life in this state, and after a 
successful business career is now living retired with his son, Vernon, at 
their cozy home, No. 137 South Fourth street, Delavan.
 
Soon after the war Mr. DAWLEY was married to Mrs. Sarah (WARREN) DAWLEY, widow 
of Gideon DAWLEY, deceased.  Her first husband was a cousin of William J. 
DAWLEY of this review.  They went to Iowa not long afterwards and there Mr. 
DAWLEY became the owner of a large farm, where he established a good home and 
remained about twenty years, then came back to Whitewater, Wisconsin, where 
his wife died in 1897.  Mr. DAWLEY remained in Whitewater till March 1911, 
then after one year in Delavan with his son Vernon, went to live with his son 
Arthur, at Waterloo, Iowa.
 
To Mr. and Mrs. DAWLEY four children have been born, namely: George, Harriett, 
Vernon and Arthur.  These children were given every educational advantage and 
they are very well situated in reference to this world's affairs.
 
Mr. DAWLEY has always been a public-spirited man and assisted in forwarding 
such measures as make for the upbuilding of the communities in which he has 
resided.
 
George DAWLEY, born March 6, 1869, married Jessie HAWLEY.  He is a brick mason 
at Mason City, Iowa, and has several children.  Harriett is the wife of H. J. 
CADMAN, a plumber of Whitewater, Wisconsin.  She had two children.  Her 
daughter Pearl died.  The other daughter is Mabel.  Vernon was born May 18, 
1877, married Louise SELL and has one little daughter, Mary Marie DAWLEY.  He 
has lived in Delavan for the past four years.  Arthur was born March 28, 
1879.  He is married and lives at Waterloo, Wisconsin.
 
Submitted by Carol