From "Standard History of Adams & Wells Counties, Indiana," Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1918, pp. 538-9.

JOHN C. DAWLEY. The successful farmer of today must be able to carry on his enterprise with close calculation and scientific management and because of their ability to do so, many of the agriculturists of Wells County have become practically independent. Among the prosperous agriculturists of Chester Township is John C. Dawley, whose richly cultivated farm of forty acres presents proof of careful tillage and judicious farm methods.

John C. Dawley may almost be called a native of Well's County, Indiana, as his entire life, with the exception of a few months in infancy, has been passed here. He was, however, born in Highland County, Ohio, June 11, 1851. His parents were William A. and Malinda (Pannel) Dawley. His father was of New England ancestry and was born in Vermont, and his mother was a native of Ohio, in which state they were married in 1850. In December, 1851, they came to Wells County, Indiana, and settled in Nottingham Township and spent the rest of their lives here. They were most worthy people and consistent members of the Christian Church. They had five children born to them and three of these are living, namely: John C.; James F., who is a farmer in Jay County, Indiana; Amanda J., who is the wife of Jeremiah Smith, a farmer in Oklahoma.

John C. Dawley was reared in Nottingham Township. When old enough he started to go to school and well remembers the old schoolhouse of logs located not far from his father's farm, a very different building from the one in which his own children were educated. He has been a farmer all his life and until he was twenty-one years old worked by the month at farm labor, and thus had good practical training for the future when he had his own farm to manage.

Mr. Dawley was married to Miss Barbara Poulson, in Wells County, and they had three children: Martha J., who is the wife of William Keene of Chester Township; James H.; and Rosetta, who is the wife of Austin Lewis. The mother of these children died when they were young and Mr. Dawley's second marriage was to Miss Bashaba Jarrett. To this marriage the following children were born: John W.; Mary E., who is the wife of Lawrence Penrod; and Flossie W. and M. W., both of whom live with their parents.

For many years Mr. Dawley has been prominent in republican politics in Wells County and has served with the utmost efficiency in public offices. For five years he was assessor of Chester township and otherwise has been capable in public matters. He is widely known and has a host of personal friends. This fact was proved when his party nominated him for the office of sheriff of Wells county and in the election he cut the normal democratic majority of 1,800 to 500 votes.

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