CFH First Draft: Alva Grant Dobson

 This post is part of an ongoing series, sharing the first draft of my Revised Callin Family History. 

Alva Grant Dobson is the 109th person in a descendant report beginning with the earliest known ancestor of our Callin family, (1.) James Callin. This descendant report uses the Register Style of the New England Historic and Genealogical Society. 

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Fifth Generation

109. Alva Grant Dobson (Lucina Scott-4, Sarah Callin-3, John-2, James-1) was born on 11 July 1865 in Illinois, and he grew up in Burritt, Winnebago County.

Alva married Nellie Jewitt Glover on 18 Sep 1895 in Winnebago County, Illinois. Nellie was the daughter of John William Glover (1831–1893) and Georgianna B Mariner (1840–1924). She was born on 11 June 1874 in Poplar Grove, Boone County, Illinois, and grew up in Owen, Winnebago County.

Alva and Nellie raised four sons on their farm in Harlem, Illinois, relocating to Sugar Grove, Pennsylvania in 1921 with the two younger boys. They spent many years there, farming and spending time with their grandchildren. The family celebrated Alva's 85th birthday with a surprise party in 1950, as reported in the Warren Times Mirror on 14 Jul:

“Surprise Party Is Held in Honor Of Sugar Grove Citizen

“Sugar Grove, July 14--A. G. Dobson was given a surprise party Tuesday evening by his children, Mrs. Ellsworth Dobson and Harold Dobson, and their families, honoring his 85th birthday anniversary. The evening was spent socially, with refreshments including decorated birthday cakes. He was also remembered with a nice gift. Other than Mr. and Mrs. Dobson, others present were Mr. and Mrs. Ellsworth Dobson and daughter, Florence, Panama; Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Martin, Bear Lake; Mr. and Mrs. Harold Dobson and daughter, Sandra. The honored guest is active for one of his years and, with his son, Harold, runs a large dairy farm east of Sugar Grove, where haying is the current activity.”

Alva died on 18 Apr 1955 at age 89 in nearby Jamestown, Chautauqua County, New York, and was buried in the Wesleyan Cemetery in Sugar Grove, Warren County, Pennsylvania. Nellie died on 23 Dec 1961 at age 87 and was buried with her husband in the Wesleyan Cemetery. Her obituary appeared in the Warren Times Mirror on 26 Dec 1961.

“MRS. NELLIE G. DOBSON

“A funeral service was conducted in Sugar Grove today for Mrs. Nellie Glover Dobson, 87, of Sugar Grove Township, who died at 3 a.m. Saturday following a six-month illness.

“Born in Rockton, Ill., June 11, 1874, she had lived in the Sugar Grove area for about 40 years. Her husband, Alva Grant Dobson, died April 18, 1955. She was a member of the Sugar Grove Presbyterian Church. Survivors include four sons, Ernest of Roscoe, Ill.; Everett, of Beloit, Wis.; Ellsworth, Panama, N.Y., and Harold of Sugar Grove; also a brother and a sister; 10 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. The Rev. Donald Douds, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, officiated for today's service. Burial was made in Wesleyan Methodist Cemetery in Sugar Grove.”

Alva Grant Dobson and Nellie Jewitt Glover had the following children:

       330          i.   Ernest Leroy Dobson, born 22 Dec 1896, Winnebago County, Illinois; married Emma Fassett Moore; died 22 Dec 1964, Winnebago County, Illinois.

       331         ii.   Everett Glover Dobson, born 29 Sep 1899, Rockford, Winnebago County, Illinois; married Madeleine Frances Hough; died 6 Apr 1965, Beloit, Rock County, Wisconsin.

       332        iii.   Ellsworth Alva Dobson, born 20 Oct 1903, Cherry Valley, Winnebago County, Illinois; married Beulah Florence Loomis; died May 1984, Panama, Chautauqua County, New York.

       333        iv.   Harold John Dobson, born 20 June 1913, Illinois; married Helen Margaret Hitchcock; died Nov 1976, Sugar Grove, Warren County, Pennsylvania.