A Touch of Glory!

William Louis Dolive was born and raised on a plantation in Daphne, Alabama, just across the bay from Mobile. His biography was written by his daughter-in-law, Marian Clarke Dolive, the editor's paternal grandmother. This writing occurred between 1940 and her death in 1965, with the last 12 years assisted by her son, Clarke Dolive. This original draft is now edited by his son, Henry Clarke Dolive, who replaced pseudonyms with actual character names.

In 1865, "Willy's" Confederate cavalry unit surrendered at the end of the Civil War. Upon his return to Daphne, with the help of former slaves who stayed, he redeveloped the plantation until his father returned from Union imprisonment. An entrepreneur at heart, William learned about naval stores (pitch and turpentine) and started a new business with winnings from a high-stakes card game with Union soldiers and carpet-baggers. Following his success in two locations, he sold the business and moved his family to Orlando to become a citrus grower. This business ultimately thrived despite serious setbacks: two killing freezes and two bank failures. William was both civic-minded and very attentive to the needs of his children with a special responsibility felt towards his daughters. In his Victorian mindset, his job was not only to provide for the women in his life but to protect them from even the knowledge of evil in the world. Extremely goal-oriented, diligent, and hardworking, William was the polar opposite of his granddaughter, Marcellite, whose values were shaped by a different set of historical circumstances. The story ends in 1898 with William anticipating the wedding of his youngest daughter. In reality, this wedding didn't take place until 1907, the same year as author Marian Clarke's marriage to Henry Louis Dolive - and three years before the birth of Marcellite, the main character of a companion book, Engaging Life..