BERTRAND DAWSON. - Mr. Dawson was born April 10, 1827, in Bracken county, Kentucky, and came to Sangamon county with his parents in 1827. His father, John Dawson, was born in Fairfax county, Virginia, November 24, 1791, and his mother, Cary Jones, was born in Nicholas county, Kentucky, May 22, 1801, where they were married October 9, 1817. Mr. Dawson and his wife - Katie Rea, daughter of David Rea and her mother (Susan Sitz) Rea - lives adjoining the town of Dawson, it being named after his family. Part of the land on which the town was built was owned by Mr. D. It was entered by Francis Springer and others, the land patent dating March 3, 1843. Mr. D. has sold ten acres of his land adjoining the town to a coal company, who are engaged in mining. Coal is found in abundance at a depth of about two hundred and fifty feet, and of an excellent quality. Mr. D. is engaged in farming and stock dealing, and one of the enterprising men of the township.