Dills of Bourbon Co, Kansas

Bourbon County was organized on April 14, 1874, amidst "bond fraud" issues and padded census returns, by Samuel A. Williams; William Barbee; H. T. Wilson; Charles B. Wingfield; B. F. Hill; J.J. Farley; John F. Cattrell and Thomas Watkins. It was named for Bourbon County, Kentucky. The name was proposed by Samuel A. Williams and William Barbee, early settlers who came from Kentucky. It contains the cities of Bronson, Fort Scott, Fulton, Mapleton, Redfield and Union Town. Bourbon County Courthouse, between 1892 and 1900The Denver Peace Treaty of 1858, promulgated by Territorial Governor James Denver, was an important part of county history. It was created in an attempt to end the long period of hostilities between the pro-slave element of Fort Scott and the free-state supporters of the Marmaton and Little Osage River communities. On December 15, 1858, "Jayhawkers" attacked Fort Scott resulting in the shooting of Marshal John Little. The Marmaton Massacre of October 22, 1864, involved approximately 60 rebels from Missouri attacking the town, and Marmaton, and the subsequent capture and execution of six townsmen. The town was also burned. The first church was the Episcopal church of Fort Scott, founded in September, 1859. The first county fair was held October 24-25 in Marmaton. The first school district was No. 10, founded December 10, 1859, in Marmaton. Important figures from the county include Hiero T. Wilson, the post sutler at Fort Scott, was one of the founders of the county and the city of Fort Scott. Eugene F. Ware, Civil War veteran, legislator, lawyer, and poet, settled in Fort Scott in 1867. Albert Bigelow Paine, a painter and poet, and the personal secretary to Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) was a native of the county. In 1860 a young schoolteacher by the name of Guthrie was accused of horse stealing by a posse of pro-slavers. He was caught with a horse supposedly stolen but if so, he did not know it. A kangaroo court met on top of a mound near the city of Mapleton and sentenced him to hang. Before dying he placed a curse upon his killers that each would die a violent death with their boots on, which they did. Today the hill is named Guthrie's Mound and is purportedly haunted by the martyred schoolteacher's ghost. https://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/bourbon-county-kansas/15262 Harrison and Francis [Gooding] Dills brought sons, George and Harry to Redfield [Bourbon Co] Ks who helped build a small dairy. Harrison took work with a fencing company as the area was newly developed. The first post office in Redfield was established in 1872. The Dills family settled there 1881, 15 years after the town was founded and most were farming their estates besides specialized jobs. Tracks had been laid for the Missouri Pacific Railroad which made the area more desirable, but was more about family ties for Francis "Fannie" having two sister had already settled. While living in Quincy Ill [1834-81], Harrison had already bought land in Warrensburg, Missouri besides investing in a coal mine in Missouri, across the Ohio River from Quincy. In 1896, when Harrison's health began failing, he moved to Warrensburg 3 years before his death. Meanwhile, after George moved further west, half brother Harry married Myrtle Romans in Redfield in 1892. The following year, their first child LeRoy Dills was born and other siblings followed.

In 1905, Harry and Myrtle parted ways for the last time when Harry left for work in Louisana. In 1908, his mother Francis died and gave goods and land to his children, leaving Harry with one dollar. In 1924, another sad event happened when their daughter Fern Emily Dills committed suicide after the birth of daughter Rosanna. She was 24 and an unwed mother living in Salina, Kansas. Note: Rosanna was adopted by her grandmother, Myrtle Dills and grew up in Kansas. She believed that her father's surname was Oneal but not confirmed. She never met her biological parents.

This photo of Fern Emily Dills would have been around 1905 in Fort Scott, Ks

Exerpt from 1908 will of Francis Electa Dills in Redfield, Kansas [ancestry.com]

Harry Dills [1870-1948]

The rifle Harry carried during his term of military service [1898-1901 Harrison Francis Dills was the eldest son of Harrison and Francis Electaa [Gooding] Dills and was born at home on 16th and Kentucky in Quincy, Illinois and died at Kennedy VA hospital, Memphis, Tennesse [January 23, 1870-April 2, 1948]. He was buried on April 5th by his home in Locust Grove, Arkansas. Harry married to Myrtle Romans in Redfield, Kansas in 1892 and was divorced in 1912... He married Amealia Patterson in Caddo Parish, BLanchard, Louisiana 10 Dec 1928 until death in 1948. He was survived by 5 children from first wife and one son through second marriage. Harry left Kansas in 1906 for the last time after jobs away from home which ultimately contributed to the divorce. I heard from one of Harry and Mrytle's daughters that he lost vision in one eye over a bar room fight but medical records indicate that wasn't the reason for his failing eyesight. She also stated that her mother didn't speak bad of him but thought he was spoiled growing up since he was from a well to do family. Besides emotional aspects that prompted Roy to tell his dad not to come back to Redfield in a letter [1906], he was left to do the farming with help of younger brother Richard. One of Roy's sister said that she was suprised that her brother had kindly feelings towards her dad because he wasn't around, but it helped my grandpa Dills to put it to rest and to express his love for his father. They didn't understand that Harry was ill over time with bouts of fever and general health. Besides other events, Harry wasn't around when mother Fannie had passed away in Redfield [1908] after loosing contact from his family. Harry enlisted in the Army near his parent's home in Missouri in 1898 although I'm told that his father Harrison Dills wasn't happy about him being away from his family and farm. I heard also that there wasnt many opportunities for carpenters there but dont know the full story. As someone who worked away from home for the railroad, His son LeRoy, came to understand that it being away too long creates problems which helped him as a parent. Further notes at https://wordpress.com/post/harrisondills.wordpress.com/139 Provided by the Veterans Administration, here are documents relating to military service of Harrison Francis Dills. There are also records pertaining to Harry's half brothers John R Dills and George A Dills besides letters from his father Harrison Dills and both spouses about receiving pensions.

Dilsberg and Urbach, Germany

"Dilsberg Castle is a ruined castle located in Neckargemünd, Germany. It was built by the counts of Lauffen in the 12th century, but in the 14th century became part of the Electorate of the Palatinate. The castle became an administrative center for the Electoral Palatinate and thus a target in the wars of the 17th and 18th centuries. In the 19th century, the castle fell into ruin and was used as a quarry. American writer Mark Twain visited the castle in the 1870s and wrote about it in A Tramp Abroad. As of 2020, Dilsberg Castle is administered by the heritage agency Staatliche Schlösser und Gärten Baden-Württemberg. "Dilsberg Fortress Ruins are known for their sweeping 360° views of the Neckar Valley and the Odenwald forest. The other Highlight is found lower down: a subterranean passageway in the depths of the wall." Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dY0Ho9F0-js https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_RLY70Dwdw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRPSEgxGd1c Slideshows: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g562799-d2277054-Reviews-Dilsberg_Castle_Fortress-Neckargemund_Baden_Wurttemberg.html https://www.bergstrasse-odenwald.de/detail/id=5f2ba26663033a4560d99e55 https://www.flickr.com/photos/101561334@N08/9813152994/in/photostream/ #dilsberg While it is not know who Dilsberg was named after, Urbach Germany [northern foothills east of Cologne] are where my ancestors lived before venturing onto the Netherlands and New Jersey in the 18th century. Below are a few photo from my trip to Urbach and surrounding area.

Knights guarded over Dilsburg until the castle grounds were built and Boppo became the ruler of Dilsburg.

Wilhelm Dilss [Urbach, Westerwald]

In 1998, I visited Dilsberg, Germany and located on top of a hill overlooking the Neckar River and surrounding a fortress created in the beginning of the 13th Centery. Although it is not known how the town got it's name, it is interesting to known that the name Dils was in use back then, howbeit, spelled out in Latin originally.

This emblem "Bobbo [Boppo] of Tilisburc" marks control of what is today spelled Dilsberg. In 1253 Boppo ruled the strategic area of Dilsberg, Germany in a beautiful location along the Neckar River and across from other strongholds. 1150-1200: Creation of the castle as a successor to the neighbouring Wiesenbach Castle. 1208: First documented mention of "Dilighesberch" as the residence of Count Boppo V. von Lauffen Dilsberg soon became the property of the counts of "Dürn" (Walldürn). Boppo I. von Durn was born in 1221, married Euphenia Gräfin Euphemia von Dilsburg - DÜRN (born Grafin von Rieneck) in 1245, at age 24. They had one son: Boppo II Von Steinach. I notice the creature on shield and the emblem resembles the flag used in Durn where Boppo was born. Dilsberg: 1288: Rudolf von Habsburg buys the mountain fortress from the impoverished Counts of Dürn. In the beginning of the 14th century, Dilsberg falls into the ownership of the Kurpfalz. Dilsberg is raised to the status of a town in 1368.In 2000, I went to Urbach, Germany in the western hills east of Cologne above neuwied germany. https://www.outdooractive.com/en/poi/westerwald/village-museum-urbach/14924326/ While visiting Urbach,above Nuewied, Germany, I noticed that the name Dills was still present in the area although the local spelling was Dilss in the 17th century.

Arianthe Tunison Dils

Ariantije or Ariantha Tunison (daughter of Tunis Tunison) was born 1772 in Raritan, Somerset CO., NJ, and died July 09, 1845 in Parkersburg, Wood CO., WV.

Arianthe Tunison's family relations were an integral part of the early New York Dutch colony. Ariantha [Ariantje] was the daughter of Tunis Tunison and Adriantje Teneyck and was born 1758 in Raritan, Somerset, NJ.Father Tunis TUNISON, Sr., b. Bef 22 Apr 1688, New York City (Age < 69 years) Mother Adrianna SEBRING, b. Abt 1707 Arianthe married William Dils in Hunterdon County, NJ and died 9 July, 1845 in Parkersburg, WVa. William and Arianthe had 12 children. Her siblings included Neiltje [b.1760 in Readington,Hunterdon NJ] Henry [1768-1839 Somerset] Altie [16 Dec 1770, Readington] Susanna [117 July 774-1842 Readington] brother Jan 31 Aug 1777] Sara [9 July 1780-1842] and son Tunis Dils 1785-1845. Her father Tunis Tunison Sr [31 Mar 1731 Somerset -8 May 1800 Lebanon, Hunterdon] and mother Adriantje Teneyck [27 May 1739 Raritan, Somerset – died 1813] was married to Tunis Tunison Sr abt 1758. Her father was Andries TenEyck [7 Jun 1691 Kingston, NY -d 1768 in Somerset NJ] and mother Adriaentje Crispel [1694-1777]. They married 20 Mar 1912 in Kingston, Ulster, NY. She married William Dils, son of Phillip Dils and Mary Hoffman.

More About Ariantije or Ariantha Tunison:
Fact 1: buried in Old Dils Cemetery, Worthington Corner, NW Pike..Many of the sandstone graves that were still visible when the 1930 survey was taken in the Dils Cem. in Parkersburg, WVa. The stones of William and Arianthe [Tunison] Dills are not fully legible though still standing. We know that Tunis Dils's mother Arianthe [who married William in NJ] lived from 1768- 1846 so would have been an influence on Harrison and his siblings. William Dils [son of Phillip and Mary [Hoffman] Dilts] died at 50.He was born in Trenton, NJ in 1761 and died 11 August 1811 in Parkersburg.

Children of Ariantije or Ariantha Tunison and William Dils are:

1. Mary Polly Dils, b. 1784, Fayette Co., PA, d. date unknown.
2. Tunis Dils, b. 1785, Fayette Co., PA, d. date unknown.
3. Eleanor Nellie Dils, b. November 10, 1786, Fayette Co., PA, d. date unknown.
4. +Phillip Washington Dils, b. September 17, 1788, Fayette CO., PA, d. November 07, 1849, Parkersburg, Wood CO., WV.
5. Elizabeth Dils, b. 1790, d. date unknown.
6. Susannah Dils, b. 1792, Fayette Co., PA, d. date unknown.
7. Jane Dils, b. 1794, Parkersburg, Wood CO., WV, d. date unknown.
8. William Dils, b. 1797, d. 1844, Parkersburg, Wood CO., WV.
9. Nancy Dils, b. 1800, d. 1875.
10. Hugh Phelps Dils, b. December 26, 1802, Parkersburg, Wood CO., WV, d. September 30, 1868.
11. Jessee Dils, b. 1806, Mt. Sterling, KY, d. date unknown.
12. Henry Hamilton Dils, b. August 14, 1808, Wood CO., WV, d. June 13, 1886. Notes on William and Arianthe's son, Tunis: Tunis Dills [Dils] was born in Uniontown, Fayette Co in 1785 to William and Arianthe O [Tunison] Dils. He married Mary “Polly” Cain [14 Apr 1811] who died 4 July 1824? [ in Wirt near Parkersburg] before he went west. Their offspring included Harrison [1812-1899], James [1813-1853], Henry D [1816-1891], Tunnis Jr [1818-1819 in Wirt, Wood Co], William [1819-1884]. Father William was son of Phillip and Mary Hoffman Dilts and was born near Trenton NJ in 1764. He and wife Ariantha were buried next to each other in the Dils cemetery on orthington Creek on the Northwestern Pike in Wood County WVa. William and Ariantha had 12 children [Mary, Tunis, Eleanor, Philip Washington, Elizabeth, Susan,Jane, William Jr, Nancy, Hugh Phelps, Jesse, and Henry H Dils] most of whom were buried in the Dils Cemetery in Wood County [Tunis Dills died in Quincy, Illinois].He married Mary Cain [daughter of John and Charity] in Wood Co. They had six children. Mary died in Wood County in 1826 and Tunis died Quincy, Illinois in 1845.

Mary Hoffman (b. 1742, d. 1815)

Mary Hoffman (daughter of William Hoffman and Anna Maria Case) was born 1742 in Amwell Township, Hunterdon CO., NJ, and died 1815 in Parkersburg, Wood CO., WV. She married Phillip Dils, son of Henry Dils and Ann Case.

More About Mary Hoffman:
Fact 1: Buried in Old Dils Cemetery, Worthington Corner, NW Pike..

Children of Mary Hoffman and Phillip Dils are:

1. +William Dils, b. 1764, Trenton, NJ, d. date unknown.
2. Anny Dils, b. 1765, d. date unknown.
3. Henry Dils, b. 1767, d. date unknown.
4. John Dils, b. 1769, d. date unknown.
5. Elizabeth Dils, b. 1773, d. date unknown.
6. Mary Dils, b. 1775, d. date unknown.

Phillip Dils (b. 1738, d. 1800)

Phillip Dils (son of Henry Dils and Ann Case) was born 1738 in Amwell Township, Hunterdon CO., NJ, and died 1800 in Parkersburg, Wood CO., WV. He married Mary Hoffman, daughter of William Hoffman and Anna Maria Case.

More About Phillip Dils:
Fact 1: Buried in Old Dils Cemetery, Worthington Corner, NW Pike..
Fact 2: Information obtained from Early Germans in New Jersey and from Mary McKendre.
Fact 3: of Parkersburg, WV, genealogist..

Children of Phillip Dils and Mary Hoffman are:

1. +William Dils, b. 1764, Trenton, NJ, d. date unknown.
2. Anny Dils, b. 1765, d. date unknown.
3. Henry Dils, b. 1767, d. date unknown.
4. John Dils, b. 1769, d. date unknown.
5. Elizabeth Dils, b. 1773, d. date unknown.
6. Mary Dils, b. 1775, d. date unknown.

NJ patriots

The Dils families of New Jersey [Dilss, Dilts, Diltz] were patriots of the American Constitution and some were part of militia who served under General George Washington. Here is the grave one of those veterans... http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSsr=41&GSvcid=1213&GRid=9450974&df=p&
http://www.locategrave.org/l/3905691/William-Dilts-NJ
http://www.hullhome.com/Dilts.Gen.htm https://goodspeedhistories.com/the-dilts-family-tree/ https://www.hunterdonlandtrust.org/2019/11/20/the-case-family-pioneer-settlers-of-flemington-1/