Jefferson Dishman was born on November 13, 1842, in Wayne County, Kentucky. He enlisted in Company H, 4th Missouri State Militia Cavalry on March 17, 1862, in Stewartsville, Missouri. He served with the regiment until mustered out on April 18, 1865.

The 4th MSM assisted in the withdrawal of Union troops from the 1862 Battle of Newtonia, but most of their duties consisted of guarding railroads and conducting anti-guerrilla patrols in central Missouri. In 1864, they pursued General Sterling Price through western Missouri, fighting at Little Blue, Independence, Westport, and Mine Creek.

Dishman died on March 27, 1926, and is buried in North IOOF Cemetery in Garfield County, Oklahoma.

Image courtesy private collection.