Captain De Forrest Dorrance Biography >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. Surnames: Dorrance, Clarke, Lancaster, Spinsby. Princeton numbers Captain De Forrest Dorrance as one of her representative and valued citizens. Throughout almost his entire business life he has given his attention to river navigation. He was born in Rock Island county, Illinois, October 5, 1843, and comes of an old New England family in both the paternal and maternal lines. His father, Pascal Dorrance, was a native of Rhode Island and died when his son De Forrest was a lad of only eleven years. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Betsey Clarke, was born in Massachusetts and passed to her final rest when the Captain was a youth of seventeen years. Two sons of the family were soldiers in the Civil war. As his name indicates Captain Dorrance is of Irish lineage. He acquired his education in the district schools and throughout his life has remained in the Mississippi valley. His proximity to the water made it a logical sequence that he should be interested in navigation and from his youth his life has been that of a mariner, covering a long service as pilot and as captain on the Mississippi. He has commanded a vessel since 1864 and now stands at the head of his calling. He has owned several steamboats on the river. There is in this locality no man more thoroughly versed upon marine affairs nor more widely or favorably known as a representative of shipping interests on the Mississippi. Captain Dorrance was married on Thanksgiving day, when twenty-four years of age to Miss Eliza Lancaster, a daughter of Henthorn Lancaster. Two children were born of his marriage: Hushel, who wedded Miss Lila Smith and has one child, named for his father; and Irene, who became the wife of Isaac Spinsby. They have eight children: D. F., Thelma, John, Court, George, Blanche, Ruth and Pauline. Captain Dorrance was for twenty years a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows but does not keep up active connection with the lodge at the present time. In his political views he is an earnest republican but has never aspired to office. His time and attention have been fully given to his business affairs, and as the years have worn on he has gained a wide acquaintance and won the esteem of all with whom he has come in contact through his courtesy and business reliability. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann ACC Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES