From A Biographical History of Central Kansas, Vol. II, p. 1174
published by The Lewis Publishing Co, Chicago & New York, 1902

JAMES DYMOND

   James Dymond is one of the prominent early settlers of Rice county, Kansas, who, since March 3, 1877, has been identified with the interests of this portion of the state and has contributed in no small measure to its development and progress along material and substantial lines.  He was born in Devonshire, England, November 15, 1836, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Greeslade) Dymond, who were also natives of the same county.  In the year 848 the father left England and crossed the Atlantic to the new world, where he made preparations for the reception of his family, who joined him the following year.  They settled in Bellevue, Sandusky county, Ohio, where, for many years, they made their home.  In 1885 the father came to Kansas and spent his last days in Sterling township, Rice county, where he died at the age of ninety-four years, being one of the oldest men in the central portion of the state.  He was mason by trade and in business was known for his trustworthiness.  His political support was given the Republican party from the time when, in 1856, he cast his first presidential vote, supporting Fremont.  He was reared in the faith of the Episcopal church.  His wife, who died in 1885, was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and her earnest Christian life was well worthy of emulation.  Twelve children were born unto Mr and Mrs Dymond, eight sons and four daughters, and three of the sons were loyal defenders of the Union during the Civil war, namely: James; John, who was a member of the Forty-ninth Ohio Infantry; and William M.  The other children of the family were Anna, Richard, now deceased; Samuel, Elizabeth, Frank, Alice, Alfred, Mary J and Fred.

   James Dymond spent the first twelve years of his life in the land of his nativity, and then bade adieu to the home and friends of his youth preparatory to accompanying his mother on her emigration to the new world.  From that time forward he was reared in Oohio upon a farm, assisting in the labors of the fields and meadows through the summer months, while in the winter season he puirsued such educational advantages as the public schools of the state afforded.  When the south attempted to overthrow the Union his patriotic spirit was aroused, and in August, 1861, he volunteered, becoming a member of Company K, One Hundredth Ohio Infantry, under Captain Nathaniel Haynes and Colonel Slagen.  He participated in the battles of Covington, Lookout Mountain, Knoxville, Chattanooga and other engagements under General Rosecrans and General Thomas.  With his regiment he proceeded to Atlanta and took part in many fights and skirmishes.  He was also in the battle of Franklin, one of the hotly contested engagements of the war, and at Lime Stone Station was on of five hundred Union men who were taken prisoners.  For nine months he was incarcerated in southern prison pens, being held in captivity in Libby, Castle Thunder, Andersonville, and Belle Isle.  He weighed one hundred and seventy-five pounds when captured, but so great were the rigors and hardships of prison life that his weight was reduced to eighty pounds at the time of his exchange.  He was one of the last Union soldiers to be released.  With a most honorable military record he returned to his home, for on the field of battle he had many times displayed marked bravery and had always been loyal to the stars and stripes – the emblem of the nation.

   Mr Dymond at the close of the war returned to Erie county, Ohio, and in 1868 was united in marriage to Bertha Selley, a native of Devonshire, England, but when a little maiden of two summers she was brought by her parents, Henry and Elizabeth (Ford) Selley, to the United States, in 1850.  The parents were both native of Devonshire.  The mother died at the age of fifty-one, while the father passed away at the age of seixty-five, his death occurring in Fremont county, Ohio.  The were both reared in the Episcopal faith.  Of their family of six children four are yet living, namely:  Mrs Dymond; Robert; Mrs Clara Beckley; and Mrs Amelia Williams.  Emma and Jessie are now deceased.  The marriage of Mr and Mrs Dymond has been blessed with three children:  Henry, who married Miss Minnie Gibson, and has one son, Earl.  He resides in Washington township.  Luetta, wife of Joseph Peters, who resides on section 35, Atlanta township, Rice county; Zeno, who married a daughter of Henry Wohlford, and has one child, Lucille.  He lives in Sterling township.