Doty, Abel

DOTY, HAVENS, SHEETS, SIMPSON, SMITH, OSTROM, TINKER, ROUDABUSH

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 8/11/2010 at 07:06:58

History of Poweshiek County Iowa (1911) by L.F. Parker; page 478

ABEL DOTY

Abel Doty, who is one of the well known stockmen and agriculturists of Madison township, where he owns a fine farm, was born in Delaware county, Ohio, on the 17th of October, 1857, a son of Abner and Harriet (Havens) Doty. The father was born and reared in Canandaigua, New York, and was a son of Ebenezer Doty, also a native of the Empire state. The family is of English descent, the ancestors having come over in the Mayflower. The Doty famiy migrated to Ohio during the pioneer days and there they were living when gold was discovered in California. In 1849 Ebenezer Doty and four of his sons, Edward, Albert, Martin and Abner crossed the plains from Ohio to the Pacific coast in search of the precious ore. The father passed away in a western mining camp and after searching for five years in hopes of finding a rich vein of metal Abner Doty returned to Ohio to the farm. He engaged in agricultural pursuits in the Buckeye state until 1866, at which time he removed to Iowa, purchasing a quarter section of land in Iowa county, which he cultivated for seventeen years. Owing to the state of Mr. Doty's health, after the marriage of their son Abel the parents made their home with him and his wife during the remainder of their lives. The father passed away on the 7th of August, 1883, at the age of sixty-five years, but the mother survived until the 16th of February, 1910, her demise occurring at the age of ninety-two years.

The elementary education of Abel Doty was acquired in the district schools of Ohio, but after removing to Iowa he attended the public schools of Ladora until he had completed his preliminary course, following which he entered Iowa College at Grinnell where he studied for three years. Professor Parker was a member of the faculty at that time and one of the instructors of Mr. Doty. After completing his education Mr. Doty returned to the homestead and assisted his father in the cultivation of the farm until he had attained his majority. He left home in 1878 to begin his real life work and for three years thereafter farmed as a renter in Tama county, Iowa. At the end of that time he came to Poweshiek county, renting a farm west of Grinnell which he cultivated for a similar period. In 1884 he removed to Bear Creek township, near Brooklyn, where he resided for fifteen years, and in 1901 he came to Madison township. Here he purchased his present homestead, which consists of one hundred and sixty acres and upon which he has ever since lived.

His land, which lies on section 25, is fertile, thoroughly tiled and drained and in a high state of cultivation, with the exception of two acres which is planted in fruit trees. Mr. Doty takes great pride in his property and keeps it and his improvements, all of which are substantially constructed and carefully repaired, in good condition, and the general appearance of the place creates a decidedly favorable impression. He breeds and raises a high grade of Shropshire sheep and cattle and registered Poland China hogs. Although he engages in general farming he feeds and ships stock to the Chicago market.

Mr. Doty was married at the age of twenty-one years, to Miss Laura Sheets, a daughter of John and Mary (Simpson) Sheets. The father, who was a farmer, migrated from Ohio to Iowa in 1865, locating in Iowa county, Iowa, subsequently settling in Sheridan township, Poweshiek county. In 1891 he went to Hastings, Nebraska, and both he and Mrs. Sheets made their home during the latter part of ther lives with their son, Clement Sheets, who was a resident of that town. Mrs. Sheets passed away in April, 1892, but he survived her until 1909. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Doty have been born nine children, eight of whom are living, as follows: Ada, who married Rollin Smith, who was shot and killed at Chelsea, Iowa, during a bank robbery. He was marshal at that time and was shot by one of the robbers while on duty, dying five hours later. Of this union there was born one child, William, who is living with his mother. Later Mrs. Smith married Grant Ostrom, a farmer living near Hartwick, Jefferson township, Iowa, and they have had three children: Grace; Percy, and Rex, who is deceased; Forrest, a farmer of Bear Creek township, this county, who married Nola Tinker, a daughter of Edward Tinker, a resident of the same township, and who have one child, Martha; Gertrude, the wife of Gordon Roudabush, a farmer of Bear Creek township, and who have one child, John; Bertha, Ethel, Minnie, Cora and Glenn are all at home. Cora and Ethel are attending the high school at Brooklyn and Glenn goes to school in district No.7, Madison township.

Mrs. Doty and the children are all members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Brooklyn, and Mr. Doty is a member of the Masonic fraternity of Brooklyn, while he and his wife belong to the Order of the Eastern Star of the same place. His ballot he casts in support of the candidates of the republican party and has served his township as trustee for two terms and as school director for many years. He is one of the energetic and capable agriculturists of Madison township who well merits the success which has rewarded his efforts.