The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-01-18
GREECE IS COMMANDED
TO DELIVER PASSPORTS
MISS BELLE" DAWSON
VICTIM OF PNEUMONIA
Pioneer Woman, Prominent in
Educational Circles Many
Years, is Dead.

Miss Belle" DAWSON, aged 90, a
lifelong resident Of the county and
a school teacher sixty-two years, died
at her home on West Main street,
near South Second street. at 10:4O
O'Clock Monday night. Death result
ed from pneumonia Of less than one
weeks duration. Owing to an In.
Jury. Miss Davisson had not been out
OF her home for twelve years.
Funeral arrangements have not
been announced.
Miss Isabelle NJ. Davisson was
born at Bridgeport. Va. now w. Va.
November 10. 1888. She was OF
French-Scotch descent. Her father,
DR.. David DAWSON, came from Scot
land. Her mother, whose maiden
name was Miss Marie de-vercom,
came from France. The father. DR..
DAWSON. founded the old DAWSON
fort that stood on the site near
where the town Of Bridgeport is now
located. To this union was born
six children, three daughters and
three sons. The daughters were Miss
Isabelle DAVIDSON, Mrs. Lydic and
Mrs. Ann Ross. who has been dead
several years. The sons were DR.. DE
yecom DAWSON, Armstrong Davis
son and Col. A. P. DAWSON. an at
torney. Mrs. P. E. Lydic, a sister,
is the only surviving member OF the
immediate family.
Soon after Miss Belle DAWSON was
born the family moved to Clarksburg
and were located on the same ground
where the old home now stands. at
the corner of West Main and South
Second streets.
Miss Isabelle DAVIDSON received
her early education in the old Clarks-
burg academy. While student
there she was engaged in helping
the teachers. She. with the Rev. j.
H. McMechen, Methodist minister,
founded the first Clarksburg SEMI
nary. Later she taught in Greene
county, Pa; Allegheny county, Md;
Monongalia and Marion counties, W.
Va, then va. I
In 1850 Miss DAWSON started a
private school in Clarksburg in the
building on South Second street
which is now occupied by DR.. c. r.
Peck. In 1867 she began teaching in
the public schools OF Clarksburg,
where she remained until 1893. She
again conducted private school at
her home, corner of South Second
and West Main streets. In all she
rounded out a school career Of sixty
two years of active work. Even after
she became an invalid she was en-
gagged in teaching quite frequently.
Among some of the prominent per-
sons who were students Of Miss Da-
yisson are United States Senator Ma
than Goff. r. I. Lowndes, Mortimer
w Smith, Sr.. and Charles Rey-
nclds. In fact, nearly every proml-
nent family in the city has one or
more members who at one time was
n student Of Miss Bellies
Miss DAVIDSON was a member of
The First Methodist Episcopal church
and when her health permitted, she
was active in church work.
Miss Aicinda DAWSON. 3 niece OF
Miss Belle, who came to live with the
family when but one year old, carried
meals to Miss Belle for these twelve
years. During all her sickness Miss
Alcinda tells OF the cheerfulness OF
Miss Belle. Of how che took an In
terest in all her friends; asking how
her former students were progress
ing in their business and professional
lives-and what the boys and girls
Of today were doing in their school
wor. Only few days ago she
asked lad II he was learning his
lessons. These are only few OF
the characteristics and sterling quail
tiles Of the woman. In her passing
Clarksburg has lost one whose life
has for nearly century cast bright
ray of sunshine in the homes OF ev-
eryone who knew her. The example
Of her beautiful and loyable life Is.
however, shining on. 1t will still
shine on and linger In the minds OF
those friends as light that never
ceases to burn.