Pikeville in Pike County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Col. John Dils, Jr.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 20, 2019

1. Col. John Dils, Jr. Marker, side one

Inscription. Born in Parkersburg. WV, in 1818 Dils came to Pikeville circa 1840 and became a merchant. In Oct. 1861, while the area was under Confederate control, he was arrested for Union sympathies. Sent to Libby Prison in Richmond, VA, he was quickly released. In Feb. 1862, he went to Washington, D.C. to meet with President Lincoln.

Upon returning to eastern Kentucky, he raised a regiment that became the 39th Kentucky Mounted Infantry (Union), which fought several engagements in this region during Civil War. Dismissed from the service in 1863, Dils later helped bring education and industry to this area. He died in 1895 and is buried in Dill-Lower Chloe Cemetery, an early integrated burial ground.

Erected 2016 by Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Department of Highways. Presented by Pike County Tourism. (Marker Number 2489.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the Kentucky Historical Society series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1862.

Location. 37° 28.896′ N, 82° 30.958′ W. Marker is in Pikeville, Kentucky, in Pike County. Marker is on Main Street north of Pike Street,

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on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 223 Main Street, Pikeville KY 41501, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. McCoy House (within shouting distance of this marker); John Paul Riddle (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Effie Waller Smith (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pike Co. Courthouse and Jail (approx. 0.2 miles away); County Named, 1821 (approx. 0.2 miles away); To the Memory of the Revolutionary Soldiers (approx. 0.2 miles away); “Spirit of the American Doughboy” (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dils Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pikeville.

Col. John Dils, Jr. Marker, side two image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 20, 2019

2. Col. John Dils, Jr. Marker, side two

Col. John Dils, Jr. Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 20, 2019

3. Col. John Dils, Jr. Marker

Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 20, 2019

4. Col. John Dils, Jr. Marker

Marker is inside the garden wall, to the left of the entrance gate, in front of the tall tree.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 6, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 4, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 319 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 4, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.