Dotson, Eli E.

DOTSON, YORK, BOLEN, TRIPLETT

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 12/4/2008 at 11:06:26

DOTSON, Eli E.
Farmer and Teacher; Sec. 8; P. O. Colfax; born in Edgar Co., Illinois in 1847; came to Jasper Co. in 1848. Has eighty-seven acres of land, valued at $45 per acre. Married Miss Mary E. HERST in 1867; she was born in Indiana in 1848. They have five children - Ulysses S., Sarah B., Charles A., Eli E. and Lizzie E. Republican. Was one of the early setlers of the county, coming to Jasper when only 1 year old, receiving his early education in log school houses; has since attended school at Grinnell, Iowa. ~ "Washington Township Biographies," The History of Jasper County, Iowa, (Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1878)
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Hon. E. E. Dotson, a well known citizen of Jasper County, and the owner of a finely improved farm situated in Washington Township, engages in agricultural pursuits upon three hundred and twenty-four acres which he owns At the time of locating upon this place, he purchased eighty acres upon which a few improvements were noticeable. As the years have passed by, he has been enabled through constant effort and judicious management to add to his property, until his estate is now one of the largest, as well as one of the best and handsomest, in the township.

Born in Edgar County, Ill., February 20, 1847, the subject of this notice is the second child of C. A. and Miriam (York) Dotson. When one year and five months old, he was brought to Jasper County by his parents, with whom he remained until 1866, meantime conducting his studies in a log schoolhouse in Poweshiek Township. He then entered the preparatory course of Iowa College at Grinnell, and after conducting his studies in that institution for some time, engaged in teaching school at Colfax for thirteen months, and also taught at various schools throughout the county.

The first marriage or Mr. Dotson occurred October 20, 1867. In 1870 he located upon a farm of his own in Poweshiek Township; where he engaged in agricultural pursuits and school teaching for six years. In 1876 he came to the farm where he has since resided, and where he engages in the raising and feeding of livestock, principally hogs and cattle. At the present time (1893) he has about one hundred and twenty head or cattle, in addition to other stock of high grade. As an agriculturist and stockman, he is industrious and level-headed, and the success which he has attained is richly merited. He has served as a member of the Jasper County Agricultural Society, and is at present one of its directors.

Alike in private life and public affairs, Mr. Dotson has proved himself the friend of progress and development. He has held a number of important positions, and is a prominent member of the Republican Party. In 1879 he was elected Representative of his district in the Legislature, where he served with such acceptance to the people that he was re-elected in 1881. While filling that position, he was Chairman of the Committee on Schools. Socially, he affiliates with Riverside Lodge No. 399, A. F. & A. M., at Colfax, and the Silver Spray Lodge No.4, K. P., of Colfax.

Mr. Dotson again married in 1886. Mrs. Dotson is a lady of great worth of character, and while she is popular in social circles, her interest chiefly centers in the welfare of her husband and children, to whom she is devoted. Mr. Dotson's children are nine in number: Ulysses S., who is engaged in teaching school on the Pacific Coast in Washington; Charles, a student in the Portland (Oregon) University; Sarah B., the wife of Edward Bolen of Poweshiek County, Iowa; Eli E., Jr., who is a student in the State Agricultural College at Ames, Iowa; Seymour H. and Hugh Logan, who are at home. Three children are deceased, viz: Lizzie, formerly the wife of Charles Triplett; Mamie, who died at the age of three years; and Webbie, who died in infancy. Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA Page 472