THOMAS W. DRESSER, M.D. , Springfield, Illinois, was born in Halifax county, Virginia, January 11, 1837; son of Rev. Charles Dresser, an Episcopal minister, who emigrated to this county in May, 1838, where he supplied the pulpit for seventeen years, and did more for the elevation of the church than any man in Springfield. He died, after an active life, in March 1865. His mother, Louisa (Withers) Dresser, was a native of Virginia. They were a family of six children, Thomas W. being the second son; was educated principally at Jubelee College in Peoria county, Illinois, under the supervision of Bishop Chase, the founder of the school. When twenty-three years of age he attended two courses of lectures at Louisiana Medical College, and afterwards attended one course at the New York University, where he graduated with honors in March, 1864. He married Miss Margaret Dorenus, daughter of the Rev. Dr. John E. C. Dorenus, a graduate at Princeton College, and an intimate friend of Abraham Lincoln. They have one child, Katherine. After graduating in New York, the Doctor came to Springfield, established himself in his practice, and has remained ever since.