DOUGHTY, Calvin Hayden - 1890 Bio (1849-1923)

DOUGHTY, HUTTON, POLSTON, HOWARD, BRADSHAW, STANDFORD, HAIFLEY

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/4/2007 at 12:38:01

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 480-481

Calvin Hayden DOUGHTY, a representative farmer of Buchanan Township, Jefferson County, residing on section 34, springs from one of the early families of Southeastern Iowa. His father, John W. DOUGHTY, was born in East Tennessee on the 15th of April, 1818, and with his widowed mother removed to Sangamon County, Ill., where he grew to manhood. After reaching years of maturity he determined to try his fortune beyond the Mississippi, and about 1835 made his way on foot to Henry County, Iowa, where his mother later joined him. There, on the 1st of December, 1836, he married Gracie A. HUTTON, a native of Middle Tennessee. Her birth occurred on the 16th of February, 1822, and when two years of age was taken by her parents to Sangamon County, Ill. Her father was a soldier of the War of 1812, and in recognition of his services received a land warrant, and after his death his wife was awarded a pension. He was a regularly ordained minister of the Baptist Church, but his labors in that line were performed through love of the work and not with any desire for pecuniary aid. He died at the age of seventy-two years, but his wife reached the very advanced age of ninety years.

In 1844 John W. DOUGHTY came with his family to Jefferson County, were he lived and labored until his life on earth was brought to a close. Politically, he was a Whig, and both he and his wife were zealous members of the Methodist Church, in which they did not a little for the advancement of the cause and the promotion of its interests. He was not a man that sought public recognition, but in a quiet way discharged the duties devolving upon him, and at the end those who knew him said that a worthy and useful citizen had passed away. He died on the 5th of June, 1850, respected by all with whom he had come in contact. Of his nine children, eight sons and one daughter, only four are now living -- Benjamin F., an insurance agent of Sioux City, Iowa; Mary E., wife of Philip POLSTON, of Fairfield; Alvin S., a minister of the Free Methodist Church; and Calvin H. In 1851 the mother of this family became the wife of John HOWARD, who died August 12, 1870. By her second marriage were born five children, three sons and two daughters. Mrs. HOWARD is still living, surrounded by dutiful children and warm friends.

Calvin Hayden DOUGHTY, the youngest of the first family and the one in whom the citizens of Jefferson County are especially interested, is now the owner of the old homestead in Buchanan Township. He was born in Cedar Township, on the 5th of January, 1849, and here has spent his entire life. At that early day schools were of a poor grade, and even then he was permitted to attend but little. From the time he was twelve years of age he made his own way in the world, and on the 5th of October, 1864, although but a lad of sixteen years, he enlisted in his country's service in Springfield, Ill., whither he had gone with Company C., of the Second Illinois Light Artillery. His command did duty at Ft. Donelson until the 3d of August, 1865, when he received his discharge in Springfield.

Shortly afterward Mr. DOUGHTY returned to Jefferson County, and on the 13th of December, 1866, he was joined in marriage with Mary O., daughter of Abraham and Catherine (BRADSHAW) STANDFORD. She was born in Batavia, this county, November 3, 1848, and is an estimable lady whose circle of friends is indeed large. The young couple began their domestic lfe where they still make their home, and their family consists of an adopted son, Mark DOUGHTY, who married Emma HAIFLEY, by whom he has one child, Calvin H.

Both Mr. and Mrs. DOUGHTY are members of the Free Methodist Church, and he also belongs to the Old Settlers Society. In politics he is a Republican, having supported that party since casting his first vote for Gen. Grant. He is now the owner and operator of a fine tract of land of one hundred and eighty acres, and since attaining to mature years he has pursued farming and stock-raising exclusively and successfully, never turning aside to mingle in trade or politics. The years which have passed over his head since his return from the war have been years of fair prosperity, and he is now numbered among the substantial citizens of Jefferson County, a place which he has gained through his own effort.

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