James Samuel Dishman

Male, #193, (21 December 1885 - 8 April 1979)

James Samuel Dishman (c. 1945)

FatherJames William Dishman b. 12 Sep 1852, d. 6 Nov 1912
MotherAnna Edwards Suttle b. 7 Mar 1853, d. 30 May 1929

Relationship 4th great-grandson of Samuel Duchemin.

Nickname  James Samuel Dishman was also known as Sam Dishman. 
Birth*21 Dec 1885 He was born on 21 Dec 1885 in Prim, King George County, Virginia.1,2 
Biography  He was educated in a one-room school, attending five or six months each year, and only reached seventh grade.3 
(son) Census19001 Jun 1900 He was listed as James William Dishman's son on the 1900 census in King George County, Virginia.4 
(son) Census191015 Apr 1910 James Samuel Dishman was listed as James William Dishman's son on the 1910 census in King George County, Virginia.5 
(Informant) Death6 Nov 1912 James Samuel Dishman was an informant for the death of on 6 Nov 1912 in King George County, Virginia.6,7 
Marriage*23 Nov 1916 He married Betty Bell Grigsby, daughter of James Dallas Grigsby and Caroline Virginia McGinniss, on 23 Nov 1916 in King George County, Virginia.1,8 
WWI Draft Card*12 Sep 1918 During World War I, James Samuel Dishman registered for the draft on 12 Sep 1918 in King George County, Virginia.9 
Description* He was described as tall and of medium build, with blue eyes and light colored hair.9 
Occupation*1918 He was a farmer in 1918.9 
Residence*12 Sep 1918 He and Betty Bell Grigsby lived on 12 Sep 1918 in Alden, King George County, Virginia.9 
OccupationJan 1920 James Samuel Dishman was Census enumerator in Jan 1920 in King George County, Virginia.10 
Census1920*1 Jan 1920 He was listed as the head of household on the 1920 census in King George County, Virginia.11 
(Heir) Will1 Mar 1927 He was named an heir in the will of Anna Edwards Suttle dated 1 Mar 1927 in King George County, Virginia.12 
Event-Misc5 Jan 1930 James Samuel Dishman was appointed to the Electoral Board to fill the vacancy formed by the resignation of Ashby Frank on 5 Jan 1930 in King George County, Virginia. Unexpired term ending 28 Feb 1931.13 
Census1930*1 Apr 1930 He was listed as the head of household on the 1930 census in King George County, Virginia.14 
Event-Misc10 May 1930 He was appointed to the Board of Equalization of Real Estate Assessments on 10 May 1930 in King George County, Virginia. For the term ending 31 Dec 1930.15 
Description27 Apr 1942 He was described as 6 ft tall, 176 lbs, with blue eyes, bald, and a light complexion on 27 Apr 1942.16 
Employment27 Apr 1942 He was self employed on 27 Apr 1942 in King George County, Virginia.16 
WWII Draft Card*27 Apr 1942 During World War II, James Samuel Dishman registered for the draft on 27 Apr 1942 in Nindes Store, King George County, Virginia.16 
Biography*  While Sheriff, he used the juror room at the county courthouse as his office, which means he did not have use of the office when a jury trial was being conducted. Shortly after taking office, the state condemned the jail building and he had to make arrangements with the nearby town of Fredericksburg to house his prisoners for the remainder of the term. He initially worked alone, but was allowed to hire a part time deputy starting in 1944. He purchased a second-hand radio with $100 of his own monel and installed it in his car. During his career as Sheriff no serious crimes occurred in the county, mainly only misdemeanors and other petty crimes. He frequently pulled over speeders, and among the people he stopped were the Reverend Michaux, and famous radio evangelist from Washington, and State Senator Robert O. Lowery. He let the Reverend go with a warning, but gave the Senator a ticket.3 
Employment*from 1 Dec 1942 to 31 Dec 1959 He was Sheriff of King George County, Virginia from 1 Dec 1942 to 31 Dec 1959.3 
Event-Misc1 Dec 1942 He was appointed Sheriff on 1 Dec 1942 in King George County, Virginia. The previous sheriff resigned the office and he served the unexpired term of 13 months.17 
Event-Misc2 Nov 1943 He was elected Sheriff on 2 Nov 1943 in King George County, Virginia. He was unopposed in the election.18 
Event-Misc4 Nov 1947 He was elected sheriff on 4 Nov 1947 in King George County, Virginia.19 
Event-Misc6 Nov 1951 He was elected Sheriff on 6 Nov 1951 in King George County, Virginia. He received 553 votes and he was opposed in the election by Frank T. Hudson (313 votes), Alfred L. Meade (69 votes), and Floyd D. Hudson (139 votes).20 
Event-Misc*29 May 1954 He was a defendant in a trial in King George County Circuit Court on 29 May 1954 in King George, Virginia. Horace T. Morrison, the Commonwealth Attorney for the County, was attempting to oust from office, James Samuel Dishman, the Sheriff of the County. The conflict had its origin in the desire of the Commonwealth Attorney to dominate the constitutional officers of the County and thereby attempt to have political control of the activities of the local Democratic Party Committee. All of the County Officers at that time were either elected as Democrats or were appointed with the Democratic Committee approval. The trial transcript covers the actual proceedings of the all day trial and is concluded by the written opinion of Circuit Court Judge Leon M. Bazile. The opinion of Judge Bazile adequately sets forth the result and the tone of the trial:
"None of the proof of the charges made against the Sheriff here measure up to the requirements of the law. For the most part they are frivolous and emanate from the mind of a Commonwealth's Attorney, who is a bitter enemy of the Sheriff, and who attributes corrupt or unlawful motives to any one who disagrees with him. For the good of himself and those who he has to deal with it is unfortunate that he is so constituted. For the foregoing reasons Sheriff Dishman is found not guilty of the charges made against him."21,22,23 
Event-Misc8 Nov 1955 He was elected Sheriff on 8 Nov 1955 in King George County, Virginia. He received 659 votes and he was opposed in the election by Warren Purks who received 550 votes.24 
Event-MiscMay 1959 He announced his retirement as Sherriff of King George County, Virginia, in May 1959.25 
Death*8 Apr 1979 He died intestate at the home of his son, James Dallas Dishman, on 8 Apr 1979 in Campbell County, Virginia, at age 93.26,27,28 
Burial* He was buried in King George County, Virginia.29 

Family

Betty Bell Grigsby b. 19 Jan 1888, d. 5 Dec 1964
Marriage*23 Nov 1916 He married Betty Bell Grigsby, daughter of James Dallas Grigsby and Caroline Virginia McGinniss, on 23 Nov 1916 in King George County, Virginia.1,8 
Children
  • Virginia Rae Dishman (excluded)
  • Hazel Grigsby Dishman (living)
  • Anna Carolyn Dishman (excluded)
  • Betty 'Mae' Dishman (excluded)
  • James Dallas Dishman (living)
  • William Kenneth Dishman (living)
  • Alice Dishman (living)

Charts Ancestors of James Samuel Dishman
Direct Ancestors of James Samuel Dishman
Last Edited 29 Oct 2006

Citations

  1. [S3] James William Dishman family, Holy Bible (n.p.: n.pub., circa 1890); Original owned in 2001 by James Dallas Dishman, Lynchburg, Virginia. Hereinafter cited as James Wm. Dishman Family Bible.
  2. [S318] Interview with James Samuel Dishman (Ninde, Virginia), by Natalie Smith, 25 March 1977. L.E. Smoot Memorial Library (King George, Virginia), "born and raised in King George and lived in King George all my life".
  3. [S318] Interview, James Samuel Dishman, 25 March 1977.
  4. [S46] 1900 U.S. Federal Census (Population Schedule), King George County, Virginia, James W. Dishman household, ED 41, Sheet 10A, line 1, electronic image, (Online: Ancestry.com, Inc.,2002), image 19 of 30, http://www.ancestry.com, subscription database, (Digital scan of original records in the National Archives, Washington, DC).
  5. [S47] 1910 U.S. Federal Census (Population Schedule), King George County, Virginia, ED#57, Shiloh District, Sheet 5B, electronic image, (Online: Ancestry.com, Inc.,2002), image 10, http://www.ancestry.com, subscription database, (Digital scan of original records in the National Archives, Washington, DC).
  6. [S126] Obituary, The Daily Star, Fredericksburg, Virginia, 9 Nov 1912, p. 2, col. 3,Obituary dated 7 Nov 1912.
  7. [S143] James W. Dishman, Certificate of Death 11419 (9 Nov 1912), Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics, Richmond, Virginia. Hereinafter cited as Virginia Certificate of Death.
  8. [S16] James Samuel Dishman and Betty Grigsby marriage, 23 Nov 1916, County Clerk's Office, King George County, Virginia. Marriage License with Minister's Return. No citation of original book or page..
  9. [S198] World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918; Virginia, King George County, Local Board (Code No. 45-1-22C); Record Group 163, National Archives and Records Administration - Southeast Region, East Point, Georgia, card of James Samuel Dishman, serial no. 435, order no. A406. Hereinafter cited as WWI Draft Cards.
  10. [S48] 1920 U.S. Federal Census (Population Schedule), King George County, Virginia, ED#60, Shiloh District, Sheet 1A, electronic image, (Online: Ancestry.com, Inc.,2002), http://www.ancestry.com, subscription database, (Digital scan of original records in the National Archives, Washington, DC).
  11. [S48] 1920 U.S. Federal Census (Population Schedule), King George County, Virginia, James S. Dishman household, ED#60, Shiloh District, Sheet 1A (Online: Ancestry.com, Inc.), image 1 of 20.
  12. [S136] Anna E. Dishman will (1 Mar 1927), Will Book 5, page 442, County Clerk's Office, King George County, Virginia.
  13. [S335] Clerk's Order Book, No. 2 p. 77, 5 Jan 1930 entry. County Clerk's Office, King George County, Virginia. Hereinafter cited as King George County Clerk's Order Book.
  14. [S49] 1930 U.S. Federal Census (Population Schedule), King George County, Virginia, Samuel J. Dishman household, ED 50-6, Sheet 4B, line 79, electronic image, (Online: Ancestry.com, Inc.,2003), image 8 of 29, http://www.ancestry.com, subscription database, (Digital scan of original records in the National Archives, Washington, DC).
  15. [S335] King George County Clerk's Order Book, No. 2, p. 59, 10 May 1930 entry.
  16. [S326] U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 4th Registration, 1942, (database online) http://www.Ancestry.com, SN U169, James Samuel Dishman, Ancestry.Com, Provo, Utah County, Utah . Hereinafter cited as WWII Draft Cards, 1942.
  17. [S318] Interview, James Samuel Dishman, 25 March 1977, Office became vacant by the previous sheriff resigning, he was appointed to serve the unexpired term of 13 months.
  18. [S318] Interview, James Samuel Dishman, 25 March 1977, He was unopposed the first time he ran for office.
  19. [S318] Interview, James Samuel Dishman, 25 March 1977, He was opposed the second, third, and fourth times he ran for office.
  20. [S308] Morrison, Dishman, Garner Win Election Tuesday, The King George News, King George, Virginia, 8 Nov 1951, page 1.
  21. [S103] Commonwealth of Virginia v. J. Samuel Dishman, Transcript of Trial Proceedings, King George County Circuit Court, May 29, 1954., Personal papers of Keith Dishman, Alpharetta, Georgia.
  22. [S308] The King George News, 20 May 1954, Morrison Files Bill of Particulars In Ouster Case.
  23. [S308] The King George News, 3 Jun 1954, Courtroom Jammed For Trial To Oust Sheriff.
  24. [S308] The King George News, 10 Nov 1955, page 1, R.A. Reed Polls Largest No. Votes Cast In K.G. Tues..
  25. [S308] The King George News, 2 Apr 1959, Purks Announces Candidacy For K.G. Sheriff.
  26. [S17] James Samuel Dishman, Certified Copy of Death Record, Registration Area Number 115, Certificate Number 24 (16 Apr 1979), Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics, Richmond, Virginia, Issued 18 Apr 1979, Campbell County, Virginia, Certificate Number 24. Hereinafter cited as J. S. Dishman Death Certificate.
  27. [S128] Obituary, The Free-Lance Star, Fredericksburg, Virginia, 9 Apr 1979, p. 12, col. 1.
  28. [S309] Deaths, James S. Dishman, The King George Progress, King George, Virginia, 18 Apr 1979.
  29. [S289] King George County Historical Society, compiler, Cemeteries of King George County, Virginia; Volume 1 Church Cemeteries (King George, VA: King George County Historical Society, 2000), p. 153, Round Hill Baptist Church, James Samuel Dishman entry.
 

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