Joseph M. Dotson 1837-1921

DOTSON, TURNER, STEVENS, DIEHL, VAN HORN, WELCH

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 9/21/2023 at 09:13:19

Columbus Gazette, Columbus Junction IA
Thursday, November 10, 1921
Page 1

Joseph M. Dotson, Civil War veteran and pioneer citizen of Louisa county, passed away at his home on Oak street Tuesday evening at 7 o'clock following a long illness. Mr. Dotson was one of the best known residents of this locality and was highly honored by a host of friends. He was prominent as an Odd Fellow, having belonged to the Order for a longer period of years than any other citizen of Louisa county. He was also a member of the local G. A. R. post and also of the Rebekah lodge. Religiously he was affiliated for many years with the Methodist Episcopal church and contributed liberally to its support.

J. M. Dotson was a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, having been born there February 21, 1837, and was a son of B. S. and Mary (Davidson) Dotson. Joseph came to Des Moines county with his parents in 1844. Five years later they moved to Louisa county and located on government land in Wapello township. Here they erected a two-room cottage, one of the first frame residences in the county. They were parents of fourteen children, of whom Joseph M. was the oldest. Six of the children are still living and survive to mourn the death of this beloved brother. They are: Sarah J. Turner, of Washington; Mark Dotson and Mrs. Harriet Stevens, of Wapello; Irving, a resident of Spokane, Washington; Oliver P. Dotson and Mrs. George Diehl, of Wapello.

When the civil War broke out Mr. Dotson responded to the call and enlisted in Co. K. Second Iowa cavalry, in which he served four years and two months. He was mustered out of the service at Davenport and returned to Louisa county where he purchased seventy acres of land near Wapello which he farmed two years. He then sold out and moved to Wapello but two years later returned to a rented farm and spent two more years farming. In 1872 he came to Columbus Junction and engaged in the hotel business which avocation he followed very successfully for twenty years. Since his retirement he has continued to make this city his home.

In October 1865 he was united in marriage to Miss Amanda C. Van Horn. To them one daughter was born, Beuna V., who married Frank Abrams and died a number of years ago. Mrs. Dotson died in 1867 and in 1868 he was united in marriage to Miss Josephine W. Welch, a native in Indiana, who has been a true companion and survives to mourn his death. The funeral service will be held this Thursday afternoon at 2:30 at the Methodist Episcopal church conducted by Rev. W. H. Dillon. Members of the I. O.O. F. and the G.A. R. will have charge of the services at the grave. Interment at Columbus City cemetery.