Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 740 - 743

FREEMAN R. DAKIN came to Kansas in 1874, and pre-empted 160 acres of land upon section 32, Rockford Township, where he now makes his home. He is a native of Nova Scotia; born Aug. 25, 1825, and is the son of John and Abigail (Hursey) Dakin, natives of New York and Nova Scotia respectively. His father was a member of the original Quaker society of Oneida County, N. Y., and was a ship-builder, by trade. He removed to the Province of Nova Scotia about the close of the Revolutionary War, where he followed his trade for some time. He was twice married, and died in 1848, in Aroostook County, Me., whither he had removed about 1834.

            The subject of our sketch received his education, or the greater part of it, in the common schools of the old Pine Tree State in his boyhood, and in early life learned the carpenter's trade; this vocation he has followed nearly all his life, although, since coming to Kansas, he has devoted much of his time to agriculture. Upon reaching manhood he was united in marriage, Dec. 2, 1852, with Miss Caroline Estabrook, a native of New Brunswick, and the daughter of Hammond and Catherine (Glazier) Estabrook, both of whom were also born there. Two children were born of this union, but both died young, and two years later the death of the mother was caused by a runaway team.

            Upon the breaking out of the Rebellion in 1861 Mr. Dakin enlisted in Company D, 11th Maine Infantry, and participated with his gallant regiment in many of the battles of the Peninsular campaign. On the gory fields of Yorktown, Spottsylvania Court-House, Williamsburg and Fair Oaks, and in many other of the engagements during the celebrated flank movement through the Chickahominy swamps, to Harrison's Landing, our subject performed his duty in defense of our country's flag. At Fair Oaks he was captured by the rebels, sent to Richmond, and incarcerated first in Libby Prison. Later he was removed to Saulsbury, N. C., and from there transferred to Belle Isle Prison, on the James River, and remained an inmate of those horrible places of detention for over six months. At the time of his exchange hunger, want and suffering had so emaciated him that he weighed but ninety-six pounds, and he was accordingly discharged and sent home. On the 18th of August, 1863, he re-entered the service as a recruit in Company F, 9th Maine Infantry, which was then at Black Island, S. C. From the latter place he moved with his regiment on the famous Bermudas Hundreds expedition, and in the engagement of that place was wounded in the left arm. Subsequently, in the bloody contest at Cold Harbor in the fall of 1864, he received another wound, this time in the right elbow. He continued in the service until April 11, 1865, when he was honorably discharged at the general hospital at Fairfax Court-House, in Virginia.

            Our subject returned from the army; and again took up his trade in Maine, and was there married, Aug. 16, 1865, to Miss Mary Woodcock, a native of Charlotte County, New Brunswick, born April 23, 1844, and the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Merrill) Woodcock. The mother of Mrs. Dakin was a native of New Brunswick, and her father of Maine, where the latter died Feb. 11, 1886. To Mr. and Mrs. Dakin have been born three interesting children, who bear the names of Glodell O., Maud M. and Lindley M.

            In May, 1868, Mr. Dakin and family removed to DeKalb County, Mo., where our subject pursued his trade, and remained until 1874. He then came to this county and commenced farming. He had erected a fine residence with other convenient and substantial farm buildings, and had set out two excellent orchards, but June 12, 1881, a cyclone devastated his place, destroying everything upon it. His house was lifted into the air and whirled about with fearful rapidity, and could be seen four miles distant, resembling a martin-box. Mrs. Dakin, who was in the house, was taken up with it and borne heavenward, but soon dropped to the ground. For many days she lay entirely unconscious and it was doubtful as to her recovery. To this day she insists that she has no admiration for cyclones, nor any desire to be a participant in any further frolics of that description. Mr. Dakin has rebuilt his house, which is a very fine and handsome one, upon the old foundation, which the tornado left, and has surrounded it again with substantial barns and outbuildings.

             In politics Mr. Dakin is a steadfast adherent to the principles formulated by the Republican party, although not a seeker after official position. He has been very successful in his life work, and is one of Sedgwick County's most prosperous citizens, and being endowed with many virtues and a genial, hospitable manner, receives the respect and confidence of the entire community. The home surroundings of prominent men are always a matter of interest, and we accordingly are pleased in being able to present a view of the Dakin homestead as it appears to the gaze of the admiring passerby.

[ Home ]