JAMES RUTHERFORD DOROTHY 1844-1920

BULLINGTON, WEST, REYNOLDS, DERBY, EDWARDS, VANDOVER, COHOGEN

Posted By: Cindy Leister (email)
Date: 10/25/2016 at 22:17:39

04 Nov 1920
Onawa Weekly Democrat

A PIONEER OF UTE PASSES AWAY

James Rutherford Dorothy was the son of Archibold and Gemima (Bullington) Dorothy and was born in Monroe County, Iowa, November 6, 1844. He finished life's pilgrimage at 6:15 p.m. the culmination of heart trouble and high blood pressure of several years standing. His death, however, came suddenly, as he had been up town early the morning his life ended. He was 75 years, 11 months and 26 days of age.

James R. Dorothy was one of a large family. Eleven children in the first circle and seven in the circle of half brothers and sisters of whom the following survive: Robert Marion Dorothy, Milton, Oregon, John Quincy Dorothy, Blakesburg, Iowa, Emmett Franklin Dorothy, Pierre, South Dakota, William Green Dorothy, Ute, Iowa, Mrs. (Martha Dorothy) O. B. Reynolds, Ute, Iowa, Grant Leroy Dorothy, Philip, South Dakota; Sherman Newton Dorothy, Douglas, Wyoming, Elmer Dorothy, Spencer, Nebraska; George Dorothy, David City, Nebraska; Harry Dorothy, Rapid City, S. D.; Mrs. Cora (Dorothy) Derby, and Mrs. Hattie (Dorothy) Derby.

James R. Dorothy came to Monona County in the spring of 1871. In June of that year he purchased the home farm in Section 4, and the following spring erected a sod house on the home
place. April 3, 1872, the county board authorized the organization of St. Clair township and J. R. Dorothy, was the first clerk of the township. October 3, 1872, he married Sarah Jane daughter of William James and Mary J. (Prater) West. The next year a frame house was built there. Mrs. Dorothy died Nov. 21, 1873, shortly after giving birth to a son, James Archibald Dorothy, who lived fourteen months.

On December 21, 1875, Mr. Dorothy was united in marriage to Pency Edwards, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Porter) Edwards, at Blakesburg, Iowa. Their home was opened to children and relatives and seven were reared in their home circle; Lena, John, Mattie & Gertrude Vandover children of his deceased sister Sarah Mandana (Dorothy)Groom; Bertha and Bessie Cohogen; and Nathan Earl Edwards son of his deceased sister Francina (Dorothy) Edwards, who was taken in their home the first week of their married life, Mr. Edwards, mother having crossed the valley of the shadow of death. Mr. Edwards has remained thru the years and has provided home comforts since the death of Mrs. J. R. Dorothy, June 29, 1913. Mr. Dorothy moved to the town of Ute in the spring of 1901. He has been a citizen of splendid type - fair in his judgment, charitable with his finances, and always standing for principle in matters personal, political or social.

So passes one of the heroes of faith - and works - one of those to subdue the prairie, plant the groves, build the first homes and lay broad and deep the foundations upon which our community life has been built. It was his to pioneer. It is ours to perpetuate and prove worthy collaborate to pass on to the next generation the same ideals and labors. He rests in peace and his works prove a worthy monument.

The funeral services will be held at Ute, Sunday.