William James Dooley

DOOLEY, CRAIG, MARTIN, BRABBS, VERBEEK, PEARSON

Posted By: Mike Dooley (email)
Date: 12/6/2001 at 20:00:29

WILLIAM JAMES DOOLEY
William James, son of William and Sarah Craig Dooley was born on the third day of May, 1868, near Selma, Van Buren county, Iowa, and passed suddenly away on the 23rd of February, 1942, at his home near Keosauqua, Iowa, at the age of 73 years, 9 months and 20 days.
On the 30th of November, 1893, he was married to Emma Martin, who passed away August 15, 1900. To this union two daughters were born, Hazel M. Brabbs of Guthrie county, Iowa, and Ruth E. Verbeek of Mahaska county, Iowa.
He was united in marriage with Nellie L. Pearson on the 24th day of March 1904. Three children were born to them, one daughter, Mary Leona, died in infancy, two sons, Phillip L. of Binghampton, N.Y. and Wm. Gordon of Hot Springs, S. Dakota.
Besides his wife and the above mentioned children he leaves seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Mr. Dooley was one of a family of seven children, only one brother, Ed Dooley, of near Selma, survives. He was converted during his young manhood in the Free Methodist church and served as Sunday School Supt. and teacher. He was elected as State Representative in 1922 and served in the 40th General Assembly, also in the extra session which met in the winter of 1923-24.
For a number of years his health has not permitted him to take any active part in public life, however, he still retained his interest. His sudden passing was quite a shock to the family and friends as he had been in his usual health. He was a kind and loving husband and father. The day he passed away he had written letters to each of his children.
Funeral services, conducted by Rev. C. H. Orf, and Rev. J. C. Austin, were held from the Keosauqua Methodist Church Thursday afternoon, Feb. 26, 1942. Interment was in the Pittsburg cemetery.