DOUGHERTY, Robert Anderson - 1890 Bio (1821-1893)

DOUGHERTY, MCCOMB, SIMPSON, BRANAN, WOODS, DUDLEY, WARWICK

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/4/2007 at 11:45:33

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 648-649

Robert A. DOUGHERTY, one of the early settlers of Jefferson County, residing on section 8, Cedar Township, was born in West Middletown, Washington County, Pa., March 16, 1821, and is of Irish-Scotch (sic) descent. His parents, Edward and Abigail (McCOMB) DOUGHERTY, were also natives of Washington County, but his paternal grandparents came from Scotland. On his father's side he is of Irish descent, and on his mother's side of Scotch (sic). His maternal great grandparents were from the same county, and his grandfather McCOMB served in the Revolutionary War. His parents were married in the Keystone State, where during the greater part of his life Edward DOUGHERTY carried on business at his trade of tailoring. Late in life they came to live at the home of our subject. He died in the Gray Beard Regiment during the late war, being then about sixty-five years of age. His wife died at the home of our subject at the age of sixty-two years. She was a Presbyterian in religious faith, and in political sentiment Mr. DOUGHERTY was a Democrat. In their family were eight children, four of whom are yet living.

Robert A. DOUGHERTY, whose name heads this sketch, is the oldest of the family. He received his education in the old time log schoolhouse, and at the early age of fourteen years began to make his own way in the world, farming on the shares with his uncle. In 1840, he started to drive a team to Iowa, and on arriving in Ft. Madison, was induced to continue his journey to this county, as it was then new, and located near the county seat. He paid $300 for a quarter-section, where he now lives, and his first tax was ninety-five cents. In the spring of 1841, he returned to Pennsylvania, but in 1842 we again find him in this county, where he built a round log house, 16x16 feet without windows.

On the 24th of September, 1850, Mr. DOUGHERTY was united in marriage with Elizabeth J. SIMPSON, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (BRANAN) SIMPSON, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Ohio. When Mr. SIMPSON was a boy, he emigrated with his parents to the Buckeye State, where he formed the acquaintance of the lady whom he made his wife. She died in Ohio, in the prime of womanhood. Seven children were born of that marriage, of whom two are yet living. Mr. SIMPSON subsequently married Eliza J. WOODS, and had a large family. In 1847, they came to this county, where he died at the age of seventy-six.

Upon his marriage, Mr. DOUGHERTY removed into his cabin, where all of his children were born. Only two of the six are now living: Milton S., who married Jane DUDLEY, who died leaving one child, Ethel M.; and Mary E., wife of William A. WARWICK. They have one child, Lizzie Mable.

Mr. DOUGHERTY has been a member of the County Board of Supervisors for three years, and has held all the township offices. His official duties have ever been discharged with promptness and fidelity, winning him the confidence and respect of the entire community. He cast his first Presidential vote for Henry Clay, and supported the Whig party until the rise of the Republican party, which he helped to organize in this ounty. Since that time he has been a stanch supporter of its principles. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and he is connected with the Old Settlers' Society, and for thirty years has been a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity. Three times he has been elected to the office of the Justice of the Peace, serving six years. For half a century, Mr. DOUGHERTY has made his home in Jefferson County, and has won the warmest regard of all with whom he has come in contact.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.