The Complete Biography of Dallas Sanders
Early Life:
Dallas Sanders, a well-respected attorney, sheriff and Democratic councilman was born on January 13th, 1848, to John and Maria Sanders (née Wilkens). He was born in the eastern coast city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, however he would move continuously during his childhood. Dallas Sanders was the fifth of seven children, and the third son in his family. He descended from a family of influential figures. Hon. William Wilkins, his great-grandfather on his mother’s side, worked as a U.S. senator in Pennsylvania. Wilkins also served as a secretary of war, a U.S. district judge, and a U.S. minister to Russia (Document 26). Dallas Sanders’ mother, Maria Dallas Wilkins, was born and grew up in Pennsylvania. Dallas’ father, John Sanders, was born in Kentucky, U.S. (Document 36) and worked as a major in the United States Engineer Corps (Document 32). John Sanders also fought in the Mexican War on behalf of the U.S. (Document 26). Due to his position in the army, the Sanders family relocated several times during the first few years of Dallas Sanders’ life.
Dallas Sanders, the third child born into a family of 7, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Document 9). When he was just 2 years old, his family moved to Fort Delaware, Delaware, where his mother gave birth to his younger brother, Richard H. Sanders. Shortly after Richard was born, the Sanders family moved to the county of Peebles Township located in western Pennsylvania, where they lived in several houses in the area (Document 1). During their residency in Peebles Township, Dallas' youngest sister, Henrietta Sanders, was born in 1855. John Sanders’ children attended preparatory school and college within Peebles Township, and he lived there until his death in 1858.
After John Sanders’ service in the army was complete, the family stayed in the Pittsburgh area to raise their children and give them a stable upbringing, something they lacked due to their father’s work. In Pittsburgh, Dallas Sanders attended several preparatory schools (Document 32).
Dallas Sanders, the third child born into a family of 7, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Document 9). When he was just 2 years old, his family moved to Fort Delaware, Delaware, where his mother gave birth to his younger brother, Richard H. Sanders. Shortly after Richard was born, the Sanders family moved to the county of Peebles Township located in western Pennsylvania, where they lived in several houses in the area (Document 1). During their residency in Peebles Township, Dallas' youngest sister, Henrietta Sanders, was born in 1855. John Sanders’ children attended preparatory school and college within Peebles Township, and he lived there until his death in 1858.
After John Sanders’ service in the army was complete, the family stayed in the Pittsburgh area to raise their children and give them a stable upbringing, something they lacked due to their father’s work. In Pittsburgh, Dallas Sanders attended several preparatory schools (Document 32).