Benjamin Thomas Dugger

BENJAMIN THOMAS DUGGER, who owns one of the best farms of Cherokee County, consisting of 16 acres, and situated in section 23, township 32, range 24, in Mineral township, and also has a fine trade as a blacksmith, was born in 1859 in Johnson County, Tennessee, and is a son of William H. and Nancy (Cable) Dugger.

The paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch was Thomas Dugger, who was born in North Carolina, but in early life removed to Tennessee, and later to Indiana. There he died before the Civil War, at the age of 84 years. He married Hannah Pierce, who was born in Virginia, and they reared a family which reflected credit upon the training they received.

William H. Dugger was born in Johnson County, Tennessee, where he married, and in 1867 came to Cherokee County, Kansas. He settled first in Pleasant View township, where he lived four years, and then removed to a location on the old "Military Road." There he built a blacksmith shop, and worked at his trade until 1871. Moving at that period to Mineral township, he took up a government claim of 160 acres, where he continued to farm and also to work at his trade. William H. Dugger was very well known and highly esteemed. One of the first settlers in this locality, he was also one of the most intelligent and reliable and exerted a great influence. His death took place June 7, 1902, at the age of 76 years. He is survived by his widow, who finds a welcome home with her five children, the subject of this sketch being the only son. The daughters are,--Lizzie, Jane, Sarah and Nancy.

The farm upon which his father settled in Mineral township is now owned by the subject of this sketch, and he also carries on the blacksmith business, which he learned under his father's instruction. Mr. Dugger is one of the very busy men of the township, and but few have made more material progress than he has, in the same time. He is both a good farmer and a first-class blacksmith, and besides is a pleasant, genial man, who has hosts of friends in the neighborhood.

On January 6, 1897, Mr. Dugger was married to Julia Anna Granson, who was born at Elba, Nebraska, April 6, 1879. They have a happy little family of four children, namely: Clara May, Hazel Fay, Zada Florence, and Anna Elizabeth.

As one of the intelligent and well informed men of his township, Mr. Dugger takes a lively interest in public matters, and politically he is identified with the Republican party.

History of Cherokee County Kansas and its representative citizens, ed. & comp. by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, 1904, transcribed by Carolyn Ward, instructor from USD 508, Baxter Springs Middle School, Baxter Springs, Kansas, 1/9/97.