James H. Doty, 1844-1921

DOTY, REISINGER, GEHRING, CURTIS, ANDERSON, SHELLENBERGER

Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 1/13/2012 at 14:53:42

J.H. DOTY DIES IN CALIFORNIA
WELL KNOWN FORMER SPENCER RESIDENT PASSED AWAY THURSDAY
BODY BEING BROUGHT HERE

He Came to Clay County Forty Years Ago; Was Successful Farmer; Went West Last June

James H. Doty, for many years a successful farmer in Clay county, and after his retirement a resident of Spencer, died last Thursday morning, March 24, 1921, at Whittier, California. He was 77 years old.

Mr. Doty had been falling in health for about two years from anaemia. With his wife and his son, Bertrand, and the latter's family, Mr. Doty went from Spencer last June to Whittier, where another son, Clyde, resides. A letter from Whittier March 18th said that Mr. Doty was very low.

E. M. Doty, a brother, of Spencer, received a telegram telling of Mr. Doty's death and saying that they would leave Whittier with the body March 29 and would arrive at Spencer Friday, April 1, on the afternoon train from the west. Arrangements for the funeral here will be made on the arrival of Mrs. Doty and the sons.

Besides his widow and the relatives already named, Mr. Doty left another son, Carleton, who has lived in California and the west for a good many years; two brothers, H. M. Doty of Laurens and A. R. Doty of Marshalltown; and two sisters, Mrs. Adam Reisinger of Marshalltown and Mrs. Jennie Gehring of Kansas City.

James H. Doty was born in St. Joseph county, Michigan, March 5, 1844, and there grew to manhood. When he was 18 years old he enlisted in the 12th Michigan Infantry and served until after the close of the Civil War. Returning to St. Joseph county he engaged in farming. He afterwards moved to Constantine, Michigan, where he was employed in a foundry and machine shop for two or three years and later worked for a lumber firm.

While living in Constantine Mr. Doty was first married on March 5, 1868, to Miss Sarah A. Curtis, of St. Joseph county. She died October 8, 1873, leaving three children. Mr. Doty was again married at Constantine to Augusta A. Anderson. In 1881 they came to Clay county and located in Riverton township, where Mr. Doty secured 160 acres and began the development of his farm.
He worked resolutely and diligently to achieve success and in course of time the capital which he acquired from the sale, of his crops enabled him to purchase more land until he became owner of 376 acres. He continued farming until 1902. He was also superintendent of the County Farm for seven years.

In 1903 he moved to Spencer and purchased a residence. In that year he lost his wife.

Eventually he sold his farm west of town and invested in land in Summit township, securing 400 acres. Two of his sons took up their abode on the Summit township farm and continued farming there until 1908 when Mr. Doty sold the property and bought the Peeso half-section near Spencer, which he and his sons improved.

Mr. Doty was again married at Constantine, Michigan, on February 20, 1907, to Mrs. S.J. Shellenberger of that place, who survives him. After this marriage Mr. Doty returned to Spencer where he continued to reside until he went to California last June.

Mr. Doty became a Master Mason in Constantine, Michigan, in 1867. He was a member of the Blue Lodge and Order of the Eastern Star at Spencer. He was a member of the Congregational church in Spencer, and assisted materially in erecting the present church. In Riverton township he served as justice of the peace, as township trustee and also on the school board. He was chairman of the township board and of the school board. He served as a delegate to republican county and state conventions and was a doorkeeper in the house of representative at Des Moines. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Doty was a man of sterling worth and integrity and won the confidence and respect of all with whom he came in contact either in a business or social way. He was a good friend and neighbor and one who will be greatly missed by the community in which he lived so long. The sympathy of all goes out to the bereaved family in their great loss.

Source: Spencer Reporter, Spencer, Clay County, Iowa; March 30, 1921.

The body of the late J.H. Doty, pioneer Clay county resident who passed away in Whittier, California, Thursday, March 21, arrived in Spencer on Friday afternoon of last week and funeral services were conducted by Rev. E. Merle Adams at the Congregational church at two-thirty Sunday afternoon.

The Masonic ritual was also read and Spencer Masons participated, in the services. The members of the Eastern Star lodge, Grand Army of the Republic and Women's Relief Corps attended the services in a body. Interment was made in Riverside cemetery. Among those from out of town who came to attend the funeral services were Mr. and Mrs. H.M. Doty of Laurens, A.R. Doty of Marshalltown, Mrs. William Horner of Toronto, N.D., Mr. and Mrs. Fred Barrio of Spirit Lake and Mr, and Mrs. Clarence Burr of Bradgate.
Source: The News-Herald, Spencer, Clay County, Iowa; April 7, 1921.

CARD OF THANKS — We wish to thank our friends and neighbors and fraternal orders for their many kindnesses during our recent bereavement.
MRS. SOPHIA DOTY, C.O. DOTY, B.W. DOTY.

Source: The News-Herald, Spencer, Clay County, Iowa; April 7, 1921.

James H. Doty, who died at Whittier, California, March 24, 1921, was buried in Riverside cemetery, Spencer, Sunday, April 3. Mrs. Doty and her stepsons, Bertrand and Clyde Doty, arrived in Spencer from California with the remains Friday. Funeral services were held at the Congregational church Sunday at 2:3o p. m., Rev. E. Merle Adams preaching the sermon.

Members of Annett Post, Grand Army of the Republic and the Woman's Relief Corps attended the services in a body, as did also Evening Shade Lodge A.F. & A.M., Clay Chapter R.A.M., Azotus Commandery K.T. and the Order of the Eastern Star, of all of which Mr. Doty had been a member. The pall bearers were Knights Templars in full uniform. The services at the grave were in charge of Evening Shade Lodge.

A number of relatives of the late Mr. Doty from out of town attended the funeral.

Source: Spencer Reporter, Spencer, Clay County, Iowa; April 6, 1921.

Interment in Riverside cemetery
 

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