MS-71
DORSEY COLLECTION
INTRODUCTION
The Dorsey Collection was accessioned into the Flesh Public Library Archives in June, 2000. The collection was donated by Betty (Mrs. J.E.) Berkshire. The collection fills four Hollinger boxes and 24 file folders. The materials range from 1812 to the late 1880’s. There are no known restrictions on the use of this collection.
SCOPE AND CONTENT
The Dorsey Collection is divided into six series:
SERIES I: FAMILY BIBLES
G.V. Dorsey’s family Bible published in 1814, and Walker Dorsey’s published in 1877 (gift of his father, G.V. Dorsey). These Bibles contain extensive family records.
SERIES II: REAL ESTATE
Records consist of G.V. Dorsey’s real estate transactions in Missouri and Iowa, which include correspondence, deeds, and tax receipts. These records date from the 1850’s to the 1880’s.
SERIES III: OFFICIAL RECORDS
Contains wills of G.V. Dorsey and Walker Dorsey, and commission papers of James Maxwell Dorsey (father of G.V. Dorsey).
SERIES IV: WRITINGS
G.V. Dorsey’s translations of Oedipus Rex, plus a few examples of creative writing.
SERIES V: CORRESPONDENCE
Contains a transcript of the articles of incorporation of the Rational Brethren of Oxford by James M. Dorsey. G.V. Dorsey’s scattered letters from 1850 to 1880, and letters relating to May Dorsey.
SERIES VI: MISCELLANEOUS
Includes framed portrait reproductions of James M. Dorsey and G.V. Dorsey, as well as files of correspondence relating to a donation of James M. Dorsey’s papers to Miami University, and the sale of a Lincoln funeral wreath.
HISTORY
The Dorsey Collection includes materials mainly related to Godwin Volney Dorsey (1812-1885), a prominent Piqua physician, and active participant in state and national politics. An outline of Dr. Dorsey’s many involvements follows:
DORSEY, DOCTOR GODWIN VOLNEY
BORN:
November 17, 1812, in Oxford, Ohio
DIED:
May 15, 1885, in Piqua, Ohio
PARENTS:
James Maxwell and Martha McComas Dorsey
MARRIED:
July 19, 1836 to Nancy M. McCorkle (May 23, 1817 –May 2, 1855)
November 11, 1856 to Mrs. Laura Pamelia Tuttle Morrow (March 30, 1861 –Feb. 2, 1884)
CHILDREN:
Walker McCorkle
Margaret M. (Mrs. Robert B. Moores)
Mary I. (Mrs. Dr. W.S. Parker)
RESIDENCES:
1812-1836 Oxford, Ohio
1836-1840 Piqua, Ohio
1840’s-1850 618 North Wayne St., Piqua
1850-1885 603 North Wayne St., Piqua
OCCUPATIONS:
1836-1885 Physician
1840’s with Dr. John O’Ferrall, Sr.
1853-1862 with Dr. V,D. Brownell
1861-1865 Treasurer of the State of Ohio
1867-1885 President of Citizens National Bank, Piqua
1860’s-1880’s Owner of a linseed oil mill; Owner of a quarry
OTHER ACTIVITIES:
POLITICS:
1840’S Active in the Democratic Party
1848 Delegate of National Democratic Convention in Baltimore. Dorsey helped to draft Anti-Slavery Resolution. Presidential Elector for Lewis Cass
1850-1851 Delegate to Ohio’s Constitutional Convention
1850-1851 Dorsey drew up Section 7, Article 13 (Banking Powers) of the Constitution
1854 Democratic candidate for Congress (defeated)
1856 Democratic candidate for Congress (defeated)
1857 Democratic candidate for Ohio State Auditor (defeated)
1860 Advocate for the Union Party (Republican and Democratic Parties to support the Civil War)
1861 &1863 Union Party candidate for Ohio State Treasurer (elected)
1863-1864 Chairman of the Republican State Executive Committee
1868 Presidential elector for U.S. Grant
1873 Delegate to Ohio’s Constitutional Convention
COMMUNITY:
1840’S President, Miami County Medical Society
1853-1884 President, Piqua Board of Education
1866-1868 President, Piqua Hydraulic (Canal) Company
1868-1870 Piqua City Councilman for the Fourth Ward
1870’s-1880’s President, Miami & Erie Canal Association
OTHER:
1851 Chairman of Committee on Surgery of the Ohio State Medical Society
Trustee of Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
Translator of Horace’s Greek tragedies
Translator of Latin medieval hymns
1879-1880 Author of the History of Washington Township and the City of Piqua that appeared in The History of Miami County, Ohio, published in 1880 by W.H. Beers & Company.
The Dorsey Collection’s main component sheds light on a previously unknown component of G.V.Dorsey’s business activities: land holdings in Missouri and Iowa.
GENEALOGY CHART
July 19, 1836
G.V. Dorsey M. Nancy McCorkle
b. Nov. 17, 1812 b. May 23, 1817
d. May 15, 1885 d. May 2, 1855
Margaret McDorsey James Maxwell Lucy McComas Mary Louisal Lucretia Walker Anna Martha
b. June 18, 1837 b. Feb. 8, 1839 b. Aug 8, 1840 b. July 18, 1843 b. July 18, 1845 b. May 5, 1847
d. ____21, 1901 d. Aug. 22, 1839 d. Feb. 3, 1853 d. Dec. 30, 1916 d. Feb. 18, 1846 d. Oct. 28, 1848
Walker McCorkle William McLean
b. Dec. 8, 1849 b. March 29, 1854
d. May 12, 1938 d. Sept. 26, 1854
G.V. Dorsey M. Laura Pamela Tuttle (Murrow)
Nov. 11, 1856
CONTAINER LISTING
SERIES I - FAMILY BIBLES
BOX 1
File
1 1814 Family Bible*
BOX 2
File
1 1877 Family Bible*
SERIES II - REAL ESTATE
BOX 3
File
1 Lee County, Iowa
2 Dent County, Missouri
3 Phelps County, Missouri
4 Ripley County, Missouri
5 Texas County, Missouri
6 Auglaize County, Ohio
7 Hamilton County, Ohio
8 Miami County, Ohio
9 Miscellaneous
SERIES III - OFFICIAL RECORDS
BOX 3
File
10 James Maxwell Dorsey’s commission papers
11 Walker McCorkle Dorsey’s Freemason Certificate
12 Wills of James M. Dorsey, G. V. Dorsey, and Walker Dorsey
SERIES IV - G.V. DORSEY’S WRITINGS
13 “Around the Bay of Monterrey”
BOX 4
File
1 Translation of Oedipus Rex
SERIES V - CORRESPONDENCE
File
2 James M. Dorsey transcript Rational Brethren of Oxford articles of incorporation, 1816
3 G.V. Dorsey –mixed letters
4 May Dorsey –correspondence
SERIES VI - MISCELLANEOUS
File
5 Dorsey Family Record copies from Bibles
6 Photo of portrait of James M. Dorsey
7 Photo of portrait of G.V. Dorsey
8 Correspondence regarding donation of James M. Dorsey’s papers to Miami University
9 Correspondence regarding sale of Lincoln Funeral Wreath
Family Records copied in Box 4, File 5. DO NOT USE BIBLES WITHOUT STAFF SUPERVISION:
FRAGILE!! PLEASE WEAR GLOVES!!